Subject details

After successfully completing this subject you should be able to:

  1. An overview of the considerations which shape effective forensic mental health practices for minority populations in forensic mental health.
  2. An understanding of the importance of inclusive practice;
  3. A knowledge of the prevalence of special needs of minority groups within forensic mental health;
  4. A knowledge of the clinical applications of assessment and interventions to people with special needs;
  5. A knowledge of the legal and ethical issues to consider when working with people with special needs;
  6. Skills in identifying the critical issues in cases and how they specifically impact and/or disadvantage individuals from different special needs groups;
  7. Skills in analytically assessing information to inform intervention decision making;
  8. Analytically review the research literature, discuss whether there is an argument for implementing specific strategies to mitigate the impact and/or disadvantage that might be experienced

  • Topics

    • Module 1: Special Needs of Minority Populations in Forensic Mental Health
    • Module 2: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People - FMH
    • Module 3: People with Cultural and Language Differences - FMH
    • Module 4: Women - FMH
    • Module 5: People with an Intellectual Disability - FMH
    • Module 6: Adolescents - FMH
    • Module 7: Elderly - FMH

  • Study resources

    • Instructional Methods

      • Discussion forum/Discussion Board
      • Online assignment submission

    • Online Materials

      • Printable format materials
      • Resources and Links
      • Online Assessment

Entry Requirements

Equivalent Subjects

You cannot enrol in this unit if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

  • GRF-MCCJ7105

Special requirements

No special requirements

It is conservatively estimated that 70% of forensic mental health (FMH) clients in Australia are males of functioning intelligence who have English as their preferred language and who align themselves with the dominant Australian culture. As they comprise such a large proportion of the FMH client group, the majority of resources and interventions are targeted towards them. This then means that there are a number of minority populations within FMH, who without our intentional investment and understanding would not receive effective assessment, intervention and management. This subject examines the special needs of these minority FMH groups, namely the specific needs of the elderly, adolescents, women, people with an intellectual disability, people of a different culture or language, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Assessment details will be advised at the beginning of the subject offering.

  • Online Discussion (20%)
  • Case Study (40%)
  • Case Study 2 (40%)

Textbooks are subject to change within the academic year. Students are advised to purchase their books no earlier than one to two months before the start of a subject.

View textbooks

Related Degrees

postgraduate GRF-MCJ-GCE-2018

Graduate Certificate in Criminology and Criminal Justice

postgraduate GRF-MCJ-MAS-2018

Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice