Behaviour support plans in Supported Independent Living
A behaviour support plan is written by a specialist practitioner and carried out every day by the SIL provider's staff. Both roles matter. This guide explains who does what, how restrictive practices are authorised in Victoria, and what to ask a SIL provider before a move.
- Last checked 2 October 2026
What a behaviour support plan is
A behaviour support plan (BSP) describes how to support a person whose behaviour may put them or others at risk. A good plan focuses on quality of life: understanding why the behaviour happens, changing what triggers it, and teaching new skills. Restrictive practices are a last resort, not the plan.
Who does what
| Who | Role |
|---|---|
| NDIS behaviour support practitioner | Assesses, writes the plan, trains staff, reviews it. Usually paid from the participant's Capacity Building – Improved Relationships budget. |
| SIL provider (the "implementing provider") | Follows the plan on every shift, trains and supervises staff, keeps records, reports any restrictive practice used, tells the practitioner when things change. |
| Participant, family, guardian | Help shape the plan, agree to it where required, and raise concerns at any time. |
| Support coordinator | Connects the practitioner, provider and family; makes sure funding is in place. |
| NDIS Commission | Receives plans and reports, monitors use of restrictive practices, handles complaints. |
Timeframes in the NDIS rules
Once a practitioner is engaged for someone who may need a restrictive practice, the rules require an interim plan within 1 month and a comprehensive plan within 6 months. Plans are reviewed at least every 12 months, or sooner if needs change.
Restrictive practices
The NDIS regulates five kinds: seclusion, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, physical restraint and environmental restraint. Each must be in the person's BSP, be the least restrictive option, and have a plan to reduce and stop it.
How authorisation works in Victoria
- The practitioner writes the restrictive practice into the BSP.
- The provider's Authorised Program Officer (APO) — approved by the Victorian Senior Practitioner — decides whether to authorise it. An APO can't authorise a plan they wrote.
- An independent person must be available to explain the decision to the participant.
- Some practices also need approval from the Victorian Senior Practitioner.
- Once authorised, the provider reports each use to the NDIS Commission every month.
Using a restrictive practice that isn't authorised is a reportable incident.
What to ask a SIL provider
- Who on your team has read the plan, and how were they trained in it?
- How do new or casual staff learn the plan before their first shift?
- How do you record incidents and share them with the practitioner?
- Do you have an Authorised Program Officer? Who?
- How often do you meet the practitioner?
- What did you change last time a plan wasn't working?
- How do housemates' plans fit together in a shared home?
How Careable works
We read a person's behaviour support plan before any shift starts. Every staff member who supports them is told about the plan and trained in it first. If the plan includes an authorised restrictive practice, we use it only as the plan sets out and report each use as the rules require. Careable's Authorised Program Officer is our Founder & CEO.
Talk to us
Referring someone with a BSP? Call 1300 332 433 or use the referral form. Please don't send the plan by email; we'll ask for it securely once we've talked.