Sharon Paley-Wakefield compares UK and Australian legislation and guidelines on the use of restrictive practices with people who have learning disabilities

In the UK, the use and misuse of restrictive practices with people who have intellectual disabilities are common. There is a lack of regulation to ensure that non-statutory standards and guidance are adhered to or to check on their outcomes. This article explores how, in the Australian states of Victoria and Queensland, exemplary legislation on restrictive practices has been implemented and how a similar programme of statutory change may help to reduce the use of restrictive practices in the UK.