As part of the Queensland Government’s response to a 2006 report by the Honourable WJ Carter QC, Challenging Behaviour and Disability – A targeted response Challenging Behaviour and Disability – A targeted response , we are developing a range of appropriate accommodation and service options for a people with an intellectual or cognitive disability.
This commitment includes the development of the Forensic Disability Service, a facility built to provide purpose-designed and secure accommodation that meets the needs of adults with an intellectual or cognitive disability, subject to a forensic order.
The service opened in July 2011. Its commencement is also a response to a review of the Mental Health Act 2000 by the Honourable Brendan Butler AMSC: Promoting balance in the forensic mental health system – Final Report – Review of the Queensland Mental Health Act 2000 .
The Forensic Disability Service is the first service of its kind in Queensland and only the second built in Australia.
Who is the service for?
The FDS is for adults with an intellectual or cognitive disability (not a diagnosed mental illness) who have been:
- charged with a serious offence
- referred to the Mental Health Court
- found by the Mental Health Court to be of unsound mind at the time of the offence, or unfit for trial
- placed on a forensic order, which states they must be detained in a secure facility.
The Mental Health Court may decide to place a person with an intellectual or cognitive disability in the Forensic Disability Service when it is a more appropriate environment than an authorised mental health service and the person has the ability to benefit from the therapeutic program provided.
Consideration is given to the geographical location of the person’s support network, including their family, carers, and friends before placing a person in the service.
The service has the capacity to support up to 10 people at any time.
FDS Service Model
The FDS Service Model FDS Service Model describes the service model parameters and features of the Forensic Disability Service. It reflects forensic disability service model arrangements in other jurisdictions, key features of the research literature, and consultation with a range of stakeholders such as policy makers, disability practitioners and service providers.
More information
- Work for FDS
- Contact the FDS
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