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About us

Forensicare (Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health) is the statewide specialist provider of forensic mental health services in Victoria. Forensicare is the only agency in Victoria that provides clinical forensic mental health services which span all components of the mental health and criminal justice sectors – giving Forensicare a unique perspective on mental health and public safety issues. It is able to provide specialist forensic mental health services tailored to meet the specific needs of both sectors.
We provide forensic mental health services for people:

  • with a serious mental illness in the criminal justice system
  • at risk of offending who pose a risk to themselves or others
  • referred from the general mental health system for specialist advice, support and/or treatment.

Forensicare’s primary focus is the provision of clinical services within a recovery framework. These services include the effective assessment, treatment and management of forensic patients, prisoners and clients.

A comprehensive research program operates through Swinburne University of Technology’s independent Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, to support the ongoing development of clinical services. Specialist training and ongoing professional education is also provided to our staff and the broader mental health and justice fields.

Watch our videos and find out more about the important, recovery focussed work we do.

Our services

Our services deliver a range of mental health programs targeted at consumers with different needs at different stages of recovery; from early intervention and prevention, inpatient care, rehabilitation and community transition support.

These services are delivered through:

We also work in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology through the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science to deliver a forensic mental health research program, specialist training and ongoing professional education.

Our vision

Meaningful lives led safely.

Hope in recovery.

Connected care.

Our purpose

Empower recovery for all Victorians living with mental illness who are at risk of entering, or have entered the justice system, to lead safe and meaningful lives free from offending.

Our values

Forensicare is guided by the values established by the Victorian Public Sector Commission for the public sector, and promotes behaviours consistent with these values at all times and in all circumstances. These values are:

  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Accountability
  • Human rights