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Specialist Program

Forensic Care

Specialist support for participants with forensic backgrounds or on justice orders, delivered with structure and consistency.

We support people who are living in the community with a forensic history or under a justice order, and who have complex support needs alongside it. Support is delivered in one of our homes or in the person’s own place, depending on what works for them.

Our Partners

About Our Forensic Care Program

Our Forensic Care Program provides structured, day-to-day support for people with forensic backgrounds, people transitioning from custody or forensic settings, and people living in the community under justice orders with an NDIS connection. We help build stability in everyday life by working alongside clinical, justice and support teams to implement agreed routines, strategies and conditions consistently. Our focus is on practical, hands-on support that promotes safety, structure and community participation. We do not replace clinical or justice services, but ensure their plans are understood and followed in daily support.

Transitioning from prison, remand or a forensic setting back into the community

Living in the community under a Community Corrections Order (CCO), Supervision and Treatment Order (STO), parole or bail conditions, where there is an NDIS-planned connection

With a forensic background and behaviours of concern that require consistent, experienced support

Who need a stable living environment and a support team able to work within established behavioural, clinical and justice requirements

Whose support involves several professionals or services that need to communicate and work from the same plan

Forensic Care Built For Stability
The Structure
How we are built to manage complexity consistently
1
Coordinated Oversight

Every participant has a dedicated Housing Coordinator, one central person overseeing supports, aligning the team and stakeholders, and acting as the reliable point of contact for the Support Coordinator throughout.

2
Structured Support and Escalation

Housing Coordinators cover business hours. An after-hours line operates outside those hours. Night Supervisors are present across our homes overnight, so there is always experienced oversight in place.

3
Governance and Accountability

Supports are documented through ShiftCare. Weekly data reports go to Care Teams covering behaviour trends, incidents, and support delivery. Incident reporting follows a structured process with leadership review where required.

The People
Who delivers the support and why it matters
5
Skilled and Consistent Staffing

Every participant has a dedicated roster of the same staff consistently. Workers are matched based on skillset, experience, and suitability. Familiarity builds trust, and trust is what allows support to work.

6
Training and Continuous Improvement

Staff complete training before they begin and receive ongoing development tailored to the participants they work with. This may include areas such as autism, trauma, mental health, and acquired brain injury, depending on individual need.

7
Cultural Safety and Fit

With over 20 cultural backgrounds across our team, cultural and personal fit is considered as part of how we match staff to participants. For many families, this has a direct impact on engagement and long-term stability.

4
Intake Discipline and Suitability

Every referral goes through a proper assessment before a decision is made. We gather full context, assess compatibility, and say no when the fit is not right. That discipline protects participants, families, and staff.

A Coordinated Approach To Support

Forensic support requires close coordination between everyone involved in a person’s order and support plan. Our Housing Coordinator provides that central point of coordination, keeping communication clear and ensuring the right people remain informed and involved.

Support Coordinators

You have a consistent point of contact at Hikma House who understands the participants support arrangement. We provide relevant updates, communicate emerging concerns and provide information that can assist with plan reviews and ongoing decision-making.

Justice and corrections teams

Where a person is subject to a CCO, parole, bail, STO or other justice requirements, support must operate within those conditions. We take these requirements seriously, communicate clearly, and provide consistent support to help the participant thrive in the community.

Behaviour support practitioners and clinical teams

BSP and clinical strategies only work when they are consistently applied in daily life. Our staff work with professionals to understand and implement support plans and share day-to-day feedback. When changes occur, we communicate them to ensure consistent responses across all shifts and services.

Transition From Custody or Forensic Settings

Moving back into the community after custody, remand or a forensic setting can be a high-risk period. It is also a time when the right support and preparation can make a significant difference.

Planning starts before day one. The Housing Coordinator is involved early, working with the justice team, Support Coordinator and other professionals involved in the transition. Where a person is moving into one of our homes, the environment is prepared before they arrive. The roster is in place, the team is briefed and the support arrangements are ready from the first day.

Hikma House has supported people through these transitions, including people leaving prison and people being supported in the community on bail. That experience informs how we plan and prepare for each new transition.

Our Intake Process

For complex forensic support, the right support needs to be understood before it begins. Our intake process gives us a clear picture of the person’s circumstances, the support required and what needs to be in place for the arrangement to work well.

1. Initial conversation

We begin by understanding the person and their circumstances. This includes their current order and conditions, NDIS funding, support needs, behaviour and risk history, previous placements and what has or has not worked in the past.

2. Internal assessment

We then assess what will be required to support the person effectively. This includes our staffing capability, the level of support required and, where accommodation is involved, whether the home and environment are suitable.

3. Clear decision

Once we have reviewed all of the information, we provide a clear response on whether Hikma House can support the person. Where there are concerns around staffing, environment or sustainability, these are discussed openly before any commitment is made.

4. Transition planning

Where we proceed, planning begins with the people involved. We prepare the environment, establish the support team, review the relevant plans and requirements, and make sure everyone understands what support will look like from day one.

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If you would like to discuss a referral or learn more about our Out of Home Care (OOHC) program, our team can help you understand the next steps.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Forensic care provides specialised support and services for individuals with disabilities who have been involved with the criminal justice system or exhibit complex behavioural challenges. This type of care focuses on rehabilitation, behavioural management, and reintegration into society.

Forensic care is typically for individuals with intellectual, physical, or mental health disabilities who have had involvement with the justice system or who present high-risk behaviours that require specialised intervention and support.

Forensic care includes: 

  • Behavioural support and therapy 
  • Personalised care plans for managing complex needs 
  • Crisis intervention and risk management 
  • Skills development to promote positive behaviour change 
  • Supervision and monitoring to ensure safety for the individual and the community 

Safety is a top priority in forensic care. Care plans are tailored to address each individual’s risks and needs. Skilled staff are trained to manage challenging behaviours, prevent crises, and promote a safe environment for both participants and others in the community.

Rehabilitation in forensic care focuses on helping individuals develop the skills and behaviours necessary to reintegrate into society. This includes promoting positive behavioural changes, improving daily living skills, and addressing underlying mental health or disability-related challenges. 

 The criminal justice system often refers individuals to forensic care providers, and there may be ongoing collaboration between care providers, law enforcement, and the justice system to ensure that the individual’s needs are being met while also managing any risks.

The length of forensic care depends on the individual’s needs and progress. Some individuals may need short-term intervention, while others require ongoing support. The goal is always to help the person transition to less restrictive environments as their condition improves.

Families can play an important role in forensic care by providing support, participating in treatment plans, and helping the individual reintegrate into the community. Family involvement is encouraged where appropriate and beneficial to the individual’s progress.

Care plans are developed by a team of professionals, including mental health experts, disability support workers, and behavioural specialists. Each plan is tailored to the individual’s unique needs, focusing on safety, rehabilitation, and personal growth.

The primary goal of forensic care is to promote rehabilitation and positive behavioural change, enabling individuals to live fulfilling lives while managing their disabilities and minimising the risk of future involvement with the criminal justice system.

Yes, with the right support and progress, individuals in forensic care can often return to living in the community. The care team works toward reintegration, with a focus on building the skills needed to live independently or with minimal supervision.