Specialist disability support assists people with a disability in matters relating to behaviour intervention, multiple and complex needs or the criminal justice system.
Behaviour Intervention Sevices
The Behaviour Intervention Support Team (BIST) provides services for people who demonstrate challenging behaviour.
Challenging behaviour is behaviour that places the person or others at risk, and/or reduces the person's access to environments, activities or experiences. This can include aggressive, self-injurious, anti-social or dangerous behaviours.
BIST interventions focus on training, strategies and support to family and carers. This is so they can assist a person demonstrating challenging behaviour to learn more appropriate skills and to be involved in more appropriate activities.
BIST is committed to the use of non-aversive techniques that promote positive skills development.
Assistance from BIST is available to people with a disability who meet the criteria specified in the Disability Act 2006.
Criminal Justice Services
We provide and fund services for people with a disability who are, or are at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system.
These services are designed to prevent offending and minimise the risk of re-offence. They are also to protect and promote the rights and responsibilities of people with a disability who come into contact with, or at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system.
See our Services website for further information on Criminal justice services available for individuals with a disability.
Criminal Justice Practice Manual
The Criminal justice practice manual provides disability services workers with guidelines and practice advice when working with people with a disability involved in the criminal justice system.
You can download the manual (see 'Related resources') or, alternatively, you can obtain a hard copy by sending an email to Disability Services.
Corrections Victoria, Department of Justice and Disablity Services protocol
We work collaboratively with the Department of Justice to support people with a disability who are involved in the criminal justice system.
The protocol between Corrections Victoria, Department of Justice and us provide disability services workers with guidelines for a collaborative working relationship with Corrections Victoria when working with people with a disability involved in the criminal justice system.
For more information, see Related resources.
Disability Services and Youth Justice protocol and guideline 2009
Disability Services and Youth Justice work collaboratively to support young people with a disability who are involved in the youth justice system.
The Disability Services and Youth Justice protocol and guideline 2009 provides Disability Services workers with guidelines for a collaborative working relationship with Youth Justice.
For more information, see Related resources.
The Positive Practice Framework
The Positive Practice Framework (PPF) is a resource for Behaviour Support Services (BSS) practitioners and other interested professionals.