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Canberra Today 15°/18° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Canberra gets its first senior practitioner

MANDY Donley, a forensic mental health nurse, has been appointed Canberra’s first senior practitioner. 

Mandy Donley has been appointed as the ACT’s first senior practitioner.
In this position Ms Donley will work closely with organisations across Canberra and the ACT community to provide education and to raise awareness about how to reduce and eliminate restrictive practices.

The ACT government defines a “restrictive practice” as any practice or intervention that restricts the rights or freedom of movement of a person for the primary purpose of protecting the person or others from harm.

Restrictive practices are more likely to be used in response to behaviours of some of the most vulnerable people in the community such as people with disability, older people, people living with psychosocial disability and children and young people.

Minister for Disability, Children and Youth Rachel Stephen-Smith says the establishment of a senior practitioner is an important step to make Canberra an inclusive community where everyone’s rights are respected and upheld.

The role is focused on improving the lives of all people who are vulnerable and potentially subject to restrictive practices, as well as upholding their human rights,” she says. 

“Ms Donley will also work closely with the Canberra community, service providers, the Human Rights Commission and other stakeholders in undertaking her important role.”

Ms Donley has worked for Victoria’s senior practitioner office on issues facing the disability community since 2007 and from 2015 she provided independent oversight of restraint and seclusion in Victorian government schools.

 

 

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