Strategic Plan 2010-2014 - Forensicare

Victorian Institute of
Forensic Mental Health
STRATEGIC PLAN 2010-2014

OUR VISION
To provide leadership at an
international, national and local
level in the understanding and
treatment of mental disorders
associated with criminal
behaviour.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
We provide high quality
assessment and treatment for
people with a mental disorder
and a history of criminal
offending or who present a
serious risk of offending
behaviour. In doing so, we are
an effective link for people,
organisations and government
between the justice and mental
health sectors.
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
Yarra Bend Road
Fairfield 3078
Tel 61 3 9495 9100
Fax 61 3 9495 9190
info@forensicare.vic.gov.au
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au
ABN 32 807 323 885
ISSN 1834-2930
Strategic Plan 2010-2014

INTRODUCTION
The Hon. Allan McDonald, QC
Chair,
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
Council
Tom Dalton
Chief Executive Officer
When Forensicare was created through
legislation in 1997 it provided a new
platform for the delivery of forensic
mental health services in the state of
Victoria. In the 12 years that Forensicare
has been delivering services, we have
built on the original vision and service
delivery platform to develop into a mature
organisation that is known worldwide for
the quality of its services. We operate as
a vital link between the public mental
health and criminal justice systems to
respond to a vulnerable client group and
play an important role in community
safety in the state of Victoria.
It is important that Forensicare continues
to respond to the needs of the community
and our stakeholders. The Strategic Plan
2010 - 2014 provides the framework for
the coming five years for how we respond
to our internal and external environment.
Forensicare’s Council commenced the
work to develop the Strategic Plan in
2009. Comprehensive consultations took
place with 19 internal staff groups and a
wide range of 33 external stakeholder
groups. Through the course of these
consultations we gained valuable
feedback on our stakeholders’
perceptions of need, and those areas in
which we could improve our performance.
During this time, the fourth National
Mental Health Plan was released and the
Victorian State Government released
Because Mental Health Matters – a 10
year policy framework for the delivery
of mental health services. Both these
documents provide strategic direction
and, significantly, for the first time,
recognised the particular needs of
Forensicare’s patient and client group.
The wide ranging consultations that were
undertaken, and the framework of the
state and national plans, form the
foundation of this Strategic Plan.
The objectives that we have set under the
plan, and the initiatives we have identified
under each of these objectives, give voice
to the needs and challenges identified by
our patients, clients, staff and stakeholders,
and the changes that are currently
occurring within our environment. In
publishing our Strategic Plan and the
initiatives we have identified for the first
year, Council and the Executive of
Forensicare acknowledge that we must
be publicly accountable for achieving
the objectives and goals we have set
ourselves. To do this, we will continue
to report regularly to the Minister for
Mental Health on our performance and
achievements. We will also establish new
ways of communicating with our staff
and stakeholders so that people are kept
informed of our progress and initiatives.
The coming year will see significant
change in how we operate, as we
continue to build on the solid foundations
of the past 12 years to continually
improve our organisation.
We would like to express our appreciation
for the time and input of our consumers,
staff and stakeholders in the development
of this plan. We look forward to working
with you all to achieve our new vision
and mission and the initiatives we have
identified for the coming year.
Tom Dalton
Chief Executive Officer
Allan William McDonald, QC
Chair,
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental
Health Council
July 2010
Strategic Plan 2010-2014
1

OUR BACKGROUND
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental
Health, known as Forensicare, is a
statutory agency that was established in
1997 to provide adult forensic mental
health services in Victoria. Forensicare is
mandated through the Mental Health Act
1986 to provide inpatient and community
specialist clinical services, and engage in
research, training and professional
education.
Forensicare is governed by a 10 member
Council that is accountable to the Minister
for Mental Health. The Council is
responsible for the overall governance
of the Institute, including the strategic
direction and monitoring of performance.
Council members are appointed for three
year periods and include a nominee of
both the Attorney-General and the
Minister for Corrections.
Forensicare’s mandate to provide
research and education is pursued
through its affiliation with Monash
University and the Centre for Forensic
Behavioural Science. Its research findings
are communicated widely, and influence
both practice and policy development
across the mental health and criminal
justice sectors.
In 2010 Forensicare celebrates the
10 year anniversary of the opening of
Thomas Embling Hospital. Since the
organisation began, demand for services
has increased markedly, particularly for
inpatient care at Thomas Embling
Hospital. Changes which pose fresh
challenges and offer new opportunities
are imminent, and it is against this
background that we commenced the
process of updating our strategic
directions to meet these developments.
OUR VALUES
Forensicare is guided by the values
established by the State Services
Authority for the public sector, and
promotes behaviours that are consistent
with these values at all times and in all
circumstances.
Our values are –
Responsiveness
Integrity
Impartiality
Accountability
Respect
Leadership
Human rights
OUR LEGISLATION
Mental Health Act 1986 – the Act that
establishes the Institute and governs our
responsibilities.
Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness
to be Tried) Act 1997; Corrections Act
1986; Sentencing Act 1991 – these Acts
detail specific services that we provide.
2 Strategic Plan 2010-2014

OUR SERVICES
Forensicare provides specialist statewide
forensic mental health services to meet the
needs of mentally disordered offenders, the
mental health and justice sectors and the
community. These services include the
effective assessment, treatment and
management of forensic patients and
clients. While our primary focus is the
provision of quality clinical services, we
also undertake research and provide
training and professional education.
Forensicare is an integral part of the
wider public mental health service
system. We work collaboratively
supporting area mental health services by
providing assessment and treatment to
referred clients, and consultative advice
and training for staff on forensic mental
health issues.
CLINICAL OPERATIONS
Thomas Embling Hospital
Forensicare’s inpatient program is
provided at Thomas Embling Hospital
(a secure inpatient facility located in
Fairfield). The Thomas Embling Hospital,
initially developed to provide 100 inpatient
beds, now operates with an interim
capacity of 116 beds providing acute
and continuing care, and a dedicated
women’s unit.
Prison Mental Health Service
Forensicare provides the following
forensic mental health services within the
prison system under a contractual
arrangement with the Department of
Justice –
• 16-bed Acute Assessment Unit,
specialist clinics, outpatient services
and a reception assessment program
at Melbourne Assessment Prison
• 20-bed residential program (Marrmak
Unit), intensive outreach program and
therapeutic day program for women at
Dame Phyllis Frost Centre
• consultant psychiatric service to the
larger prisons operated by Corrections
Victoria.
These services were recently subject to a
tender that has since been terminated for
the provision of all health services across
the criminal justice system (see page 4).
Community Forensic Mental Health
Service
The community program focuses on the
assessment and treatment of forensic
patients (people who are subject to a
court order by virtue of mental
impairment) and selected offenders and
potential offenders with a severe mental
illness and significant forensic issues. In
addition, the community program provides
a Problem Behaviour Program for people
with problem behaviours (including sex
offenders) who pose a high risk to the
community, and the Community
Integration Program, which supports
prisoners with a serious mental illness
being released from custody and high risk
clients from area mental health services.
A Court Liaison Service also operates at
Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and six
metropolitan magistrates’ courts.
OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY
The following information gives a
snapshot of Forensicare's service
provision in 2009 to 2010 –
• At 30 June 2010, Forensicare
employed 307 clinical and 39
administrative staff, some of whom
were part-time. Of the 346 staff, 62
percent were women, and 38 percent
men.
• There were 125 admissions to
Thomas Embling Hospital and 130
separations, with an average
occupancy rate of 96.1%.
• The Community Forensic Mental
Health Service provided direct services
for 648 new clients.
• A total of 519 reports was prepared
for Victorian courts (283 were
prepared at the Community Forensic
Mental Health Service and 236 within
prison), an average of 10 per week.
• Assessments for public mental health
services and other agencies totalled
168.
• 5,663 reception assessments were
undertaken at Melbourne Assessment
Prison, and 6,527 referrals were made
for psychiatric assessment.
• A total of 130 clinical student
placements was provided.
• The number of formal presentations
at professional forums was 56.
OUR POLICY CONTEXT
The major recent change to our policy
environment is the Government’s mental
health policy framework, Because mental
health matters: Victorian Mental Health
Reform Strategy 2009-2019, launched in
March 2009. The new directions set out
in this strategy are reflected in the 2009-
2010 Mental Health Reform Budget and
continued in the 2010—2011 Victorian
State Budget.
Because mental health matters provides
a blueprint for mental health reform over
the next ten years. For the first time,
Government mental health policy
acknowledges the problems which face
our client group in the mental health and
criminal justice systems. The new
framework proposes ways to address
service demand issues at Thomas
Embling Hospital. It also suggests how to
build the capacity of local area mental
health services to respond to consumers
with complex forensic and mental health
issues.
In addition, the recently released Justice
Mental Health Strategy articulates a
comprehensive framework for making
the justice system more responsive and
accessible to people with a mental
impairment, including those with a mental
illness.
Key Government policies and initiatives
that influence our service delivery and
environment are detailed in Appendix 1.
Strategic Plan 2010-2014
3

OUR OPERATING
ENVIRONMENT
In the five-year timeframe of this Strategic
Plan, several major challenges and some
new opportunities will affect our operations.
The increased demand on inpatient beds
and the uncertainty surrounding our service
provision in the prison system are
challenges that are currently known. Other
recently funded initiatives present us with
immediate opportunities to develop new
services and extend our partnerships with
area mental health services and the nongovernment
sector.
Key Challenges
Justice Health Tender
In September 2009, Government
announced that the provision of all health
and mental health services across the
criminal justice system would be subject
to a competitive tender process. This
included services provided in police cells,
victim examinations, courts, prisons,
community corrections, together with
a range of therapeutic programs.
Government sought to appoint a single
lead provider to create an ‘end to end’
comprehensive health service for people
in the criminal justice system for a period
up to nine years, commencing in
December 2010.
Forensicare and St Vincent’s formed a
new company, known as equityhealth,
which developed and lodged a tender
submission for the provision of health
services. The tender was lodged in
December 2009.
In late June 2010, the Department of
Justice terminated the tender and
indicated that it would continue with
current contracts and seek to extend
these contracts under the existing option
provisions. While this creates short-term
certainty, in the longer term the strategic
outlook remains unclear and raises
questions in relation to the funding of our
operations and our future role
in prisons.
Increasing Demand on Inpatient
Beds
It has become increasingly difficult to
meet the demand for inpatient admissions
from the criminal justice and mental
health systems at Thomas Embling
Hospital. As an indication of the bed
pressures, Thomas Embling Hospital had
the fewest admissions in 2008-2009
since the hospital was fully commissioned
(99 admissions). In terms of international
benchmarking of forensic mental health
beds, we are considerably behind other
‘like services’.
Government is aware of the demand
pressures at Thomas Embling Hospital,
and we are optimistic that capital funding
for additional beds will be provided in the
coming years. In the interim, however, we
need to develop short to medium term
initiatives to enable us to meet the
immediate need for secure inpatient
admissions.
Workforce and Workplace
Development
Forensicare shares the difficulties
experienced across the Victorian health
sector in attracting specialist staff.
Implementation of a workforce strategy,
that includes initiatives which establishes
Forensicare as an ‘employer of choice’
and having a culture that encourages
engagement with our employees, will be
given high priority in the five year period
covered by the Strategic Plan.
Development of the workforce strategy
will draw on the new Government health
workforce initiatives that focus on building
capacity and capability.
Mental Health Legislation
Following a detailed review of the Mental
Health Act 1986, which has included an
extensive consultation process, new
mental health legislation is to be tabled in
the spring session of parliament in 2010.
The new Act is likely to have implications
for Forensicare, which could include new
governance arrangements comparable to
those for mental health services managed
by public hospitals.
New Opportunities
During the consultations we undertook
to inform the development of this plan,
stakeholders told us that they would like
us to increase our collaboration and
develop stronger links with agencies.
A range of new Government initiatives
will enable us to further consolidate our
partnerships with the public mental health
and criminal justice agencies. These
initiatives include –
• The appointment of dedicated
clinicians in ten area mental health
services with specialist skills and
expertise to provide ‘appropriate
treatment and community based
support for people with severe mental
illness, aggressive behaviours and
patterns of offending behaviour’.
A Specialist Program Co-ordinator,
located within Forensicare, will provide
the area mental health clinicians with
ongoing training, support, secondary
consultation and clinical supervision.
4 Strategic Plan 2010-2014

• The Government's new Youth Justice
Mental Health initiative emphasises
the importance of early intervention
for young people and provides funding
for ‘clinical treatment and care
coordination support to youth justice
clients, including those leaving custody
and about to reintegrate into the
community’.
We will work closely with the
Department and agencies with a view
to broadening the range of specialist
services we currently provide in the
youth justice area. These services are
now limited to a visiting mental health
service at Malmsbury Youth Justice
Centre and a recently commenced
12 month pilot clinic at Orygen Youth
Health (providing secondary
consultations for young people
engaged in or at risk of offending
behaviour, and staff development
sessions).
• The Department of Justice has
established a pilot ‘Mental Health
Assessment and Referral List’ at the
Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. This
initiative expands the support services
available for people with mental health
problems and/or cognitive impairment
due to acquired brain injury or
intellectual disability. The pilot program
will ‘address the underlying causes
of offending, reduce the need for
custodial sentences and improve
outcomes for this group’. The
expansion of court services for people
with mental health issues is an area
that presents us with a new
opportunity for service enhancement.
OUR CONSULTATIONS
WITH STAKEHOLDERS
The development of this Strategic Plan
incorporated extensive consultations with
a broad range of external and internal
stakeholders that were undertaken in
August and September 2009. Internal
stakeholders included Council and
management and clinical and
administrative staff, together with
consumer and family representatives.
Consultation with external stakeholders
covered the wide spectrum of
organisations with which Forensicare
interacts on a regular basis. We are
grateful to all our stakeholders for the
time they made available and their
willingness to assist us develop the Plan.
Appendix 2 (pages 14-15) details the
stakeholders who assisted us during the
consultation process.
Strategic Plan 2010-2014
5

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES 2010 – 2014
Our Strategic Priorities
2010-2014
To meet our statutory forensic mental
health obligations, and strengthen
partnerships with key stakeholders,
we will focus on the following
strategic directions –
• Access and Recovery
We will improve access and outcomes
for consumers, health services and
other agencies, families and carers
• Sustainability
Our corporate and clinical practices
will be accountable and excel in
governance, people management
and financial security
• Engagement and Collaboration
We will engage with our stakeholders
to improve outcomes for our
consumers
ACCESS AND RECOVERY
We will improve access and outcomes
for consumers, health services and other
agencies, families and carers
In summary, our stakeholders asked that
we –
• increase the capacity of Thomas
Embling Hospital
• provide timely services
• better understand and meet the needs
of rural services
• work co-operatively and collaboratively
with services
• provide specialist services to identified
groups (eg. culturally and linguistically
diverse communities, women, aged
and indigenous groups, older juvenile
justice clients)
• develop services that meet the needs
of the changing criminal justice
environment.
Full details of the feedback received from
stakeholders during the consultations
held to inform the development of our
Strategic Plan are available on
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au/
6 Strategic Plan 2010-2014

Our commitment to improving access and recovery for our consumers will be
achieved by the following objectives and initiatives in 2010-2011 –
OBJECTIVES
INITIATIVES 2010-2011
Increase access to, and throughput at,
Thomas Embling Hospital through
program redesign and additional
bed capacity (including medium and
high secure beds)
Strengthen clinical pathways for
consumers
• from prison to Hospital
• within the Hospital
• on discharge from Hospital
• from Community to other providers
Respond to the ‘whole of health’ care
and treatment needs of all consumers
(including gender, age and ethnic and
indigenous background)
■ Review the model of care and clinical pathways across the organisation and the
interface between service elements and commence implementation of the
recommendations
■ Work with Department of Health and other agencies to increase the number of beds
for patients from the criminal justice system and those at high risk of offending
■ Implement strategies to meet the ongoing demand for secure inpatient beds
■ Enhance the post-discharge care of former Thomas Embling patients
■ Improve access for Forensicare’s clients to housing and rehabilitation opportunities
with Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Services and other services
■ Develop improved ways to meet the physical health needs of our patients and
clients
■ Enhance access to Community Forensic Mental Health Service programs for our
consumers and their family members
■ Develop a Disability Action Plan for Forensicare
Develop services and programs that are
underpinned by contemporary evidence
based research
■ Implement and evaluate a new Stalking Risk Profile Tool at Community Forensic
Mental Health Service
■ Review gender safety research to inform enhancement of service delivery to women
Respond to the mental health needs of
people involved in the criminal justice
system
■ Continue to work under contract with Justice Health to provide mental health
services within the prison system
■ Implement a Nurse Practitioner model at Melbourne Assessment Prison
Strengthen the capacity of other mental
health services in their work with high risk
and complex consumers
■ Work with Department of Health to implement the Forensic Mental Health Specialist
Support initiative
■ Provide services that meet the need for timely specialist advice to other service
providers and agencies
■ Enhance service provision to prisons and high risk area mental health services
clients
■ Provide professional education opportunities, in-service training programs,
conference presentations and staff seminars to external agencies
Expand access to early intervention for atrisk
client groups, including young people
■ Evaluate the pilot clinic established at Orygen Youth Health and make
recommendations for future service provision
■ Provide assessment and treatment to a wider range of young offenders in custody
Strategic Plan 2010-2014
7

SUSTAINABILITY
Our corporate and clinical practices will
be accountable and excel in governance,
people management and financial
security
In summary, our stakeholders asked that
we –
• implement initiatives to build capacity
(including providing professional
development opportunities for staff
of external agencies)
• provide strong financial management
• drive financial and operational
accountability deeper into the
organisation
• address workforce issues and improve
the co-ordination of our workforce
planning
• expand our service provision base
• improve and co-ordinate staff training
needs across the Forensicare
workforce
• provide an opportunity for joint
projects/research with other services
• develop a research governance
framework that promotes research
informing evidence based practice.
Full details of the feedback received from
stakeholders during the consultations
held to inform the development of our
Strategic Plan are available on
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au/
8 Strategic Plan 2010-2014

We will continue to be a sustainable organisation by achieving the following
objectives and initiatives in 2010-2011 –
OBJECTIVES
INITIATIVES 2010-2011
Provide strong fiscal management and
develop new revenue streams
Develop and strengthen corporate and
clinical governance and management
Provide services that have a high
standard of environmental performance
and contribute to the development of a
sustainable community
Build and maintain a positive work
environment that engages a valued,
skilled and appropriately credentialed
workforce
Undertake research to improve the quality
and effectiveness of current programs
and develop new initiatives primarily
targeted at meeting the objectives
outlined under ‘Access and Recovery’
Integrate quality improvement and risk
management frameworks across
corporate and clinical activities
Be an authoritative source to relevant
policy-making bodies on forensic mental
health issues in both clinical and justice
settings
Provide a safe and healthy environment
for staff, consumers and visitors to our
services
■ Implement new financial accountability and reporting arrangements in all levels
of the organisation
■ Identify processes to achieve productivity savings/increased efficiencies
■ Ensure that contractual arrangements with Justice Health meet the costs
of providing services under the contract with a service sustainability margin
■ Plan for the transition to the new health service delivery arrangements to be
implemented within the criminal justice system
■ Complete the recruitment of a new Clinical Director
■ Implement the Strategic Plan 2010-2014 which guides Forensicare over the coming
five years
■ Implement a new Corporate Plan/Business Planning Framework to support the
Strategic Plan
■ Plan for the contingency that there is a change to the service delivery model
and consequent purchasing process for prison mental health services
■ Review governance arrangements across the organisation and implement
recommendations
■ Develop systems to ensure that key data on Forensicare’s performance on clinical,
staffing and financial dimensions are collected, compiled and reported regularly
■ Continue development of the Patient Health Management Information System
■ Develop and implement an Environmental Sustainability Strategy for 2010-2011
■ Continue to identify and develop leadership in our workforce
■ Develop and implement a recruitment and retention strategy that promotes
Forensicare as an employer of choice for the mental health workforce
■ Identify and implement relevant human resources metrics
■ Establish a common learning and development framework across the organisation
■ Improve career pathways for staff
■ Introduce initiatives that will achieve a positive workplace culture
■ Review and implement a new governance framework for research
■ Promote research opportunities and support staff undertaking relevant research
within the organisation
■ Monitor and evaluate the outcomes of current approaches to treatment and
rehabilitation
■ Redesign the quality improvement and risk management frameworks across the
organisation
■ Work with Departments of Health and Justice to achieve improved outcomes for
prisoners and people with a forensic history (as outlined in the Government’s reform
strategy)
■ Work with Department of Health on any legislative changes which may affect
Forensicare arising from the Mental Health Act Review
■ Continue participation in the National Benchmarking Project
■ Review all Occupational Health and Safety policies/practices to ensure compliance
with relevant legislation and government requirements
■ Develop and implement an integrated security plan across the organisation
Strategic Plan 2010-2014
9

COLLABORATION
AND ENGAGEMENT
We will engage with our stakeholders to
improve outcomes for our consumers
In summary, our stakeholders asked that
we –
• improve our communication and
develop stronger relationships
• contribute to clinical meetings of other
services, providing input on clinical
risk and supporting staff
• provide an opportunity to undertake
joint projects/research with other
services
• develop an active partnership with
staff and consumers that informs
policy and program development.
Full details of the feedback received from
stakeholders during the consultations
held to inform the development of our
Strategic Plan are available on
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au/
10 Strategic Plan 2010-2014

We will achieve our commitment to collaborate and engage with our
stakeholders by realising the following objectives and initiatives in 2010-2011 –
OBJECTIVES
INITIATIVES 2010-2011
Build an active partnership with
consumers, staff and stakeholders
to guide and develop services
Consolidate research links with Monash
University, Centre for Forensic Behavioural
Science, and identify research
opportunities with other organisations
Improve our communications with internal
and external stakeholders
■ Engage with our workforce on Strategic Plan implementation and organisational
values
■ Investigate and implement new ways of working collaboratively with area mental
health services and Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Services
(including the potential for joint research projects)
■ Implement initiatives that will enable us to work in closer collaboration with Justice
Health
■ Finalise the agreement with Monash University in relation to the Centre for Forensic
Behavioural Science
■ Further develop research collaborations with Orygen Youth Health Research Centre
■ Develop and implement a Communication Strategy, which has a strong focus on
interactive communication with stakeholders and consumers
■ Disseminate findings from relevant research to Forensicare staff, area mental health
services, Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Services and other partner
agencies
Strategic Plan 2010-2014
11

APPENDIX 1 – OUR POLICY ENVIRONMENT
Victorian Government
A Fairer Victoria 2005
Victorian Charter of Human Rights
and Responsibilities 2007
Because mental health matters: Victorian
Mental Health Reform Strategy 2009-
2019
2009-2010 State Budget Mental Health
initiatives
Shaping the future: The Victorian mental
health workforce strategy
Final report - September 2009
Strengthening consumer participation in
Victoria’s public mental health services -
Action Plan 2009
Mental Health Act 1986 and new mental
health legislation (forthcoming)
Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness
to be Tried) Act 1997
Sentencing Act 1991
Corrections Act 1986
Attorney-General’s Justice Statement 2,
The next chapter (Department of Justice,
October 2008)
Justice Mental Health Strategy
Victoria Police Mental Health Strategy
2007
Victoria’s overarching social policy strategy, A Fairer Victoria, reflects the Victorian
Government’s commitment to creating opportunities to improve the lives of
disadvantaged Victorians. A Fairer Victoria places emphasis on the provision of
accessible and universal services for all Victorians by targeting services to those
in greatest need, including those with mental health problems.
The Charter protects the rights of all Victorians and guides policy development, new
legislation and service delivery. All public authorities and their employees are required
to act in accordance with the rights protected in the Charter. The rights come under
four categories: freedom, respect, equality and dignity.
Because mental health matters sets out the Government’s ten year mental health
policy framework. It identifies reform directions to be pursued over that time, with an
emphasis on prevention, early intervention (early in life, early in illness and early in
episode), recovery and social inclusion.
The 2009-2010 Mental Health Reform Budget funds specific forensic mental health
initiatives designed to enhance capacity in adult mental health services, Youth Justice
and the Melbourne Magistrates Court.
The Strategy commits to enhancing the capacity of Victorian's specialist mental health
workforce, and identifies immediate and short-term strategies to strengthen and
support the workforce.
Includes six areas for action over the three years to 2012, and a set of minimum
consumer participation indicators against which services can measure their
performance.
Forensicare’s principal legislation is the Mental Health Act 1986. This Act (s117A-
117U) covers the establishment of the Institute and details the functions and
requirements of both the Institute and the governing Council and the provision of
treatment and care of our patients and clients. Services are also provided under the
Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997, Corrections Act 1986
and Sentencing Act 1991.
The second Justice Statement focuses on reducing the cost of justice and on creating
an engaged and unified court system. Priorities include addressing the causes of crime
and reducing the rate of re-offending, protecting human rights, addressing social
disadvantage and tackling discrimination.
The Justice Mental Health Strategy provides a framework to make the justice system
more responsive and accessible to individuals with mental impairment, including people
with mental illness. The strategy covers a range of justice interventions that address
not only the needs of offenders with mental impairment, but also victims and
witnesses.
The Victoria Police Mental Health Strategy contains directions for improving policy and
practice in three broad areas of improving knowledge and information; strengthening
internal and external partnerships and updating police training.
12 Strategic Plan 2010-2014

Victorian State Disability Plan 2002-2012
A new blueprint for alcohol and the drug
treatment services 2009-2013
The Victorian State Disability Plan 2002 – 2012 ensures that people with a disability,
including those people with concurrent mental health issues, can pursue their own
lifestyle choice and participate fully in the community through a strengthened support
system.
The blueprint seeks to reduce the incidence and harms from alcohol and other drug
use and promotes more integrated service responses for clients. Prevention, early
intervention, client access and opportunities to enhance responses for young people
and families are explored through this initiative.
National
National Principles for Forensic Mental
Health 2002
National safety priorities in mental health:
a national plan for reducing harm 2005
A framework of nationally agreed principles which apply to clients in the adult and
juvenile justice system.
The plan aims to prevent adverse events, do less harm and make mental health
services safer by reducing suicide and deliberate self-harm in mental health services;
reducing use of, and where possible eliminating, restraint and seclusion; reducing
adverse drug events in mental health services; promoting safe transport of people
experiencing mental disorders.
National Mental Health Policy 2008 The National Mental Health Policy 2008 focuses on –
• Mental health promotion and illness prevention
• Reducing the impact of mental health problems and mental illness, including the
effects of stigma
• Promoting recovery
• Assuring the rights of people with mental illness, and enabling them to participate
meaningfully in society.
Fourth National Mental Health Plan 2009 Key priority areas are –
• Social inclusion and recovery
• Prevention and early intervention
• Service access, coordination and continuity of care
• Quality improvement and innovation
• Accountability - measuring and reporting progress
National Mental Health and Disability
Employment Strategy 2009
National Justice Forensic Mental Health
Project (due for completion in 2010)
The Road Home: A National Approach
to Reducing Homelessness 2008
The Strategy identifies priority actions to assist people with disability, including mental
illness, into work. It recognises the importance of education and training as a pathway
to sustainable employment, and the role of employers in increasing employment
opportunities for people with disability.
A national project initiated by the Commonwealth, State and Territories Justice CEOs
Group. The project aims to produce guidelines on best practice related to diversion
from and support to people with a mental illness in the criminal justice system.
The Australian Government's policy commitment to reducing homelessness in Australia,
and how this will be tackled.
Strategic Plan 2010-2014
13

APPENDIX 2 – STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS
External Consultations
ACSO
Adult Parole Board
Alfred Bayside Health
Bendigo Hospital
Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science
Corrections Victoria
County Court of Victoria
Department of Health
Department of Human Services
Department of Justice
Justice Health
Forensic Leave Panel
Goulburn Valley Area Mental Health Service
HACSU
Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
Mental Health Review Board
Mid West Area Mental Health Service
MIND
Monash University
National Forensic Mental Health Project
NEAMI
North Eastern Austin SECU
Mr Tony Calabro, CEO
The Hon Justice Simon Whelan, Chair, and Mr David Provan, General Manager
Dr Simon Stafrace, PICU Beds
Mr Peter Robinson, Manager, Planning & Strategic Development
Professor James Ogloff, Director
Mr Rod Wise, Deputy Commissioner, Prisons and Transitional Services
Ms Christine Nolan, Deputy Commissioner, Finance & Strategy
Mr Brendan Money, Assistant Commissioner, Offender Management Services
Chief Judge Michael Rozenes, QC and The Hon Tony Howard
Mr Paul Smith, Acting Executive Director, Mental Health & Drugs Division
Dr Ruth Vine, Chief Psychiatrist
Mr Pierre de Carlo, Director, Drugs Policy and Services, Mental Health & Drugs Division
Mr Murray Robinson, Acting Director, Youth Justice
Mr Fred Wright, Disability Forensic Assessment & Treatment Service
Ms Dorothy Wee, Manager, Disability Services
Ms Shirley Freeman, Client Services Manager, Youth Justice
Ms Silvia Alberti, Manager, Sector Quality and Workforce Development
Ms Annette Pritchard, Manager, Complex Support Needs
Ms Jo Metcalf, Director, Courts and Tribunal Unit
Ms Michele Gardner, Director
The Hon Justice Kathy Williams, President
Associate Professor Ravi Bhat, Director of Psychiatry
Mr Lloyd Williams, State Secretary; Ms Denise Guppy, Assistant State Secretary
Mr Ian Gray, Chief Magistrate
Mr John Lesser, President
Mr Gary Monkley, Manager
Mr Gerry Naughtin, CEO; Ms Judy Harmon, Victorian Service Operations Manager
Professor Bruce Tonge, Head, School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological
Medicine
Mr Julian Thomas, Project Officer
Mr Arthur Papakotsias, CEO, and Mr Glen Tobias, State Manager
Professor Richard Newton, Service Manager; Mr Les Potter, Director, Mental Health
14 Strategic Plan 2010-2014

Office of Public Prosecutions
Orygen Youth Health
RANZCP
Royal Melbourne Hospital
St Vincents Hospital
Sunshine Hospital
VACRO
Victoria Police
VMIAC
Mr Stuart Ward, Manager, Legal Practice
Dr Rick Fraser, Clinician Manager
Dr Andrew Carroll, Chair, Vi-National Committee for Training in Forensic Psychiatry
Associate Professor John Fielding, John Cade Unit
Professor David Castle, Chair of Psychiatry
Dr Peter Bosanac, Director, Clinical Services
Associate Professor Chris Pantelis, Director, Mental Health
Ms Andrea Lott, CEO
Commander Ashley Dickinson, Operations, Co-ordination Department
Ms Eva Perez, Manager, Mental Health Unit
Ms Isabell Collins, Director
Internal Consultations
Council members
Forensicare Executive
All staff (open staff meeting)
Workplace Consultative Committee
Consumer Consultants and consumers
Family and other carers
Inpatient Executive
Combined Inpatient Program Working Group (including Consultant Psychiatrists)
Corporate Administration staff
Forensicare Contractor – Medirest (cleaning and food)
Community Forensic Mental Health Service Executive
Community Forensic Mental Health Service staff
Staff at Marrmak Unit, Dame Phyllis Frost Centre
Staff at Melbourne Assessment Prison
Strategic Plan 2010-2014
15

APPENDIX 3 – GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Area mental health services
Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science
Client
Community Forensic Mental Health Service
Consumer
Complex needs consumers
Corporate Plan
Department of Health
Department of Justice
Disability Action Plan
Environmental Sustainability Strategy
equityhealth
Forensic Mental Health
Specialist Support initiative
High risk consumers
Justice Health
Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre
The network of public mental health services managed by a general health service
that operates within a defined geographical area and provides clinical mental health
services.
Established as a joint venture between Forensicare and Monash University to
strengthen the field of forensic behavioural science, and transfer academic and clinical
excellence into practice in the health, community services and criminal justice sectors.
The Centre has comprehensive research and teaching and training programs, and a
service development consultation service.
Within Forensicare, a person receiving care and treatment from Community Forensic
Mental Health Service.
The service arm of Forensicare providing outpatient programs, including the
assessment and treatment of high risk clients referred from area mental health
services, correctional providers, courts, Adult Parole Board, Thomas Embling Hospital,
Acute Assessment Unit at Melbourne Assessment Prison, government agencies and
private practitioners.
A person who is a patient or client of our services.
People with severe impairment and challenging behaviour that have a range of different
needs, who generally require support from several different services to meet these
needs.
The planning document for the organisation required to be submitted to the Minister for
Mental Health each year, as detailed in Mental Health Act 1986 (s.117O).
The Victorian Government department responsible for the provision of health services
across the state, including mental health.
The Victorian Government department with responsibility for police, courts, prisons and
emergency services, together with regulation of gaming, racing, liquor licensing and
trade measurement; and victims' services. The department's activities also cover the
drafting of legislation and the administration of various tribunals and programs to
protect citizens’ rights.
Required by legislation, the plan identifies initiatives to remove barriers to access for
people with a disability to ensure that they have equal access to health services.
A planning framework that addresses environmental aspects associated with our
services provision and details initiatives to be implemented to protect our environment.
The company established by Forensicare and St Vincent’s to provide the health services
across the criminal justice system detailed in the Justice Health Service Tender.
An initiative funded in the 2009-2010 State Budget to build forensic expertise and
capacity into existing community based public specialist mental health services by
appointing dedicated forensic mental health clinical specialists in selected adult area
mental health services.
Patients and clients with illness/behaviours that place them at risk of self harm or
further offending.
An independent business unit established by the Department of Justice to plan and coordinate
the delivery of health services across police, courts and Corrections Victoria to
ensure an integrated and co-ordinated approach for health services in the Department
of Justice.
A custodial facility for up to 90 young men primarily aged 18 to 20 years who have
been sentenced to a youth justice centre order by the Magistrates, County or Supreme
Court.
16 Strategic Plan 2010-2014

Melbourne Assessment Prison
National Benchmarking Project
Nurse Practitioner
Orygen Youth Health
Patient
Patient Management Information System
Pilot Clinic, Orygen Youth Health
Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation
and Support Services (PDRSS)
St Vincent’s
Stalking Risk Profile Tool
Thomas Embling Hospital
The reception prison for men in Victoria, managed by Corrections Victoria.
A federally funded program, established in 2005, that identified 13 performance
indicators for forensic mental health benchmarking. The project continued to July
2008.
A registered nurse with advanced educational preparation and experience who is
authorised to practice in an expanded nursing role in clinical settings. In addition to
further education and advanced clinical nursing practice, a nurse practitioner has
developed the skills and knowledge to expand their role to include things that may have
been ‘traditionally’ performed by other health professionals, such as prescribing
medications and ordering diagnostic tests.
A specialist youth mental health centre, providing clinical services, research
and training.
A person who has been admitted to Thomas Embling Hospital.
An integrated information system that will provide Forensicare clinicians with
comprehensive details on patients and clients.
A 12-month pilot program, established by Forensicare in October 2009 at Orygen
Youth Health, providing secondary consultations, together with advice and training.
A core component of public mental health services provided in Victoria, complementing
clinical mental health services. Managed by non-government organisations, they focus
on addressing the impact of mental illness on a person’s daily activities and the social
disadvantage resulting from illness.
Our joint partners in equityhealth, St Vincent’s (Melbourne) provides acute medical and
surgical services, emergency and critical care, aged care, diagnostics, rehabilitation,
allied health, mental health, palliative care and residential care.
Developed by current and former Forensicare staff (Drs Rachel MacKenzie, Troy
McEwan, and Michele Pathé, Professors Paul Mullen and James Ogloff) and British
psychiatrist, Dr David James, the tool assesses the risk of violence, persistence,
recurrence and psychosocial damage in stalking situations.
Forensicare’s 116-bed secure inpatient facility (located in Fairfield), for patients from
the criminal justice system who are in need of psychiatric assessment and/or care,
together with treatment of patients from the public mental health system who require
specialised management. The hospital provides acute and continuing care, and has a
dedicated women’s unit.
Strategic Plan 2010-2014
17

Victorian Institute
of Forensic Mental Health
Yarra Bend Road
Fairfield Vic 3078
Australia
Tel 61 3 9495 9100
Fax 61 3 9495 9199
Email info@forensicare.vic.gov.au
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au
Thomas Embling Hospital
Yarra Bend Road
Fairfield Vic 3078
Australia
Tel 61 3 9495 9100
Fax 61 3 9495 9199
Email info@forensicare.vic.gov.au
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au
Community Forensic
Mental Health Service
505 Hoddle Street
Clifton Hill Vic 3068
Tel 61 3 9947 2500
Fax 61 3 9947 2599
Email info@forensicare.vic.gov.au
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au
Forensicare Prison
Mental Health Service
Melbourne Assessment Prison
317 Spencer Street
West Melbourne Vic 3003
Tel 61 3 9321 4250
Fax 61 3 9329 4820
Email info@forensicare.vic.gov.au
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au
Dame Phyllis Frost Centre
Riding-Boundary Road
Deer Park Vic 3023
Tel 61 3 9217 8400
Fax 61 3 9217 8480
Email info@forensicare.vic.gov.au
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au