Advanced Practice in Forensic Disability

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

In addition to face-to-face teaching time of 48 hours, students should expect to undertake a minimum of 170 hours ops. research, reading, writing and general study to complete this subject successfully.

To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted in Gc-CRIMFD. This subject is not available for students admitted in any other courses.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Student Equity and Disability Support Team: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject examines the theoretical and practical mechanisms underlying the assessment and treatment of disabled offender populations. As such it will provide students with an understanding of, and experience in, the major skills and techniques used in the assessment of forensic disability clients. In addition students will be provided with clinically-oriented training in methods of management and rehabilitation, including the theoretical rationale underpinning these as well as techniques and outcomes of their practical application. Specific attention will be given to notable offender groups within the forensic disability field including sexual offenders, non-sexual violent offenders, arson and property offenders, and disabled offenders with substance abuse issues.

Students who successfully complete this subject will have:

• An understanding of the general aims and techniques of forensic assessment;
• Knowledge of theoretical and methodological issues associated with risk assessments and their application to the forensic disability client population;
• Developed basic report writing skills and techniques;
• An understanding of best-practice principles involved in management and intervention of forensic clients and a general understanding of different treatment paradigms;
• An understanding of the theoretical and practical issues involved in the assessment and treatment of different forensic disability offender groups.

As a post-graduate course, this subject is not simply about clinical skill development. You should also be aiming at developing the conceptual and analytic tools which will provide you with the basis for critically appraising the clinical and research literature and applying it appropriately to your own area of practice or interests. This involves not only the preparation of written papers but also oral presentations and generally “thinking on one’s feet”.

The assessment has three parts:

• Individual written assessment: 3,000 words (75%). Due 28th January 2013;
• Oral presentation: 20-25 minutes plus 5 - 10 minutes Q&A time; completed in class and in pairs (20%);
• Individual commentary (5%).

A short pre-reading folder with articles and references will be mailed out to students before the course begins.

The textbook Offenders with Developmental Disabilities, Linsday, W.R., Taylor, J.L. & Sturmey, P. (2004) Chichester, UK: Wiley and Sons will also be mailed out to students before the course begins.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject should have:
• Highly developed cognitive, analytic and problem-solving skills demonstrated through oral and written work;
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning;
• Ability to incorporate theoretical principles and concepts into professional practice;
• Ability to plan work and to use time effectively.