A significant part of today’s hearing focussed on Behaviour Support Plans (BSP), with some witnesses raising concerns about BSPs, noting their funding is often inadequate. Evidence was also given that training of staff in implementing BSPs is often lacking.

A witness from provider, Multicap, emphasised BSPs may be written by practitioners, but need to be easy to use by front line support workers.

Some medications prescribed for mental illness may also be prescribed for managing behaviour. In the latter case, a BSP may not be developed but should be. Some witnesses asserted that medical practitioners were diagnosing mental illness to circumvent requirements associated with chemical restraint.