Normal vs Forensic Support in the NDIS

Whilst the NDIS can be a challenge for participants, families/guardians and support coordinators to navigate, the added complexities of the justice system via forensic and mental health history can make this even more difficult.

At Hope Circle, we’ve had this experience before and are here to support you with your own individual journey interacting with corrections and mental health services while part of the NDIS.

To understand the difference between normal and forensic services, we first need to define the key parts of this service that most people receive under the NDIS.

This applies whether it is for supported independent living (known as ‘SIL’) or for clients needing assistance with in-home and community supports under the NDIS.

Normal NDIS Supports

Normal NDIS SIL and in-home & community support helps individuals with disabilities to manage their daily life, participate in community and achieve their personal goals.

These supports are related to the disability and include assistance with:

  • Daily living: personal care, meal preparation, household tasks, support with medication.
  • Community participation: social activities and engaging with community.
  • Transport: supporting you to get to appointments and community access.
  • Employment and education: support for individuals involved in education, job training or employment.
  • Health and wellbeing: supporting access to healthcare services and medication administration.

Key differences

The key differences – to normal NDIS services – for Hope Circle’s disability support workers in providing NDIS forensic services are:

  1. Priorities: while supporting the participant in daily life, forensic supports help to reduce re-offending.
  2. Types of services: while supporting the client with daily living, forensic supports include behaviour management, coordination with legal & corrections, and therapeutic interventions. Similarly, community participation is different for a participant under home detention, or looking to re-engage in community after time in prison.
  3. Goals: while normal NDIS goals typically encourage independence and community inclusion, forensic supports include safety and rehabilitation, and also bail conditions to prevent re-offending and reincarceration.
  4. Stakeholder collaboration: Normal NDIS supports engage with a range of stakeholders including: family/guardian, support coordinator, NDIS, therapists and health professions. However, forensic supports may have additional stakeholders to liaise with including: corrections services, police, lawyers, Public Trustee, Centrelink, mental health, forensic mental health and behaviour support professionals.
  5. Reintegration into society: support with therapies, education, community groups and seeking employment.

Additionally, participants may need assistance with housing. Our connections in this area can assist with finding suitable accommodation for clients, often at short notice.

These supports are related to the disability and include assistance with:

  • Daily living: personal care, meal preparation, household tasks, support with medication.
  • Community participation: social activities and engaging with community.
  • Transport: supporting you to get to appointments and community access.
  • Employment and education: support for individuals involved in education, job training or employment.
  • Health and wellbeing: supporting access to healthcare services and medication administration.

Supported independent living accommodation or housing typically involves a shared home or living environment within the community where up to three or four people with disability live together and receive shared supports.

Conclusion

At Hope Circle, we understand the unique needs faced by individuals with complex forensic or mental health histories. As well as providing normal NDIS supports to SIL and in-home & community support, our team can support you with the additional forensic supports needed.

We recognize that the pathway to recovery isn’t always simple, and we work to support clients on their individual journeys: instilling hope and shaping future.

Want more?

If you are leading a support coordination or positive behaviour support business, we’d be happy to join a team meeting and provide a complimentary 10-20 minute presentation on NDIS forensic services for clients involved in the justice system to support your staff professional development.

For more information regarding our forensic NDIS SIL or in-home & community services in Adelaide or Perth, please contact us here.