What an APO does

An APO:

• ensures the Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Act, including its principles and any relevant rules, directions and guidelines in relation to the use of restrictive practices are followed by the disability services provider and any employees involved in the implementation of the restrictive practice
• is an employee of the disability services provider who proposes to implement a restrictive practice. Wherever possible, the APO should not be the person(s) who implements the restrictive practice (such as the person’s support worker)
• may have responsibility for oversight of all restrictive practices for the disability services provider or may have responsibility for only some. Larger providers may choose to appoint more than one APO
• is protected from liability in relation to the Act if the action was done in good faith and in the performance of a function imposed by the Act
• needs to be appropriately qualified, trained and have a sound understanding of contemporary positive behaviour support and the NDIS Regulated Restrictive Practices Guide.

A provider may appoint more than one APO. The number of APOs appointed by a provider should be proportionate to the size and scale of the provider and the scope and complexity of supports provided.