Support coordinators tell us the same thing: forensic referrals get declined, and when they are accepted, the first weeks are chaos because the provider did not have what it needed. Most of that is avoidable with a complete referral. This checklist is what a justice support provider needs to say yes quickly and to be ready on day one.

The checklist

1. The plan

• The current NDIS plan, or the plan dates and budgets if the document cannot be shared yet
• Whether the plan is agency, plan or self-managed, and the plan manager’s details
• Which budgets are in play: Home and Living (SIL), Core (daily life, community, transport), Capacity Building (transition, tenancy, employment)
• The plan review date, and whether a Home and Living request is in progress

2. The legal situation

• The order, bail conditions or proposed conditions, in writing
• Key dates: release, hearing, review board, reporting
• The Community Corrections officer’s name and office
• Any residence, curfew, exclusion zone, non-contact or treatment conditions
• The lawyer’s name and whether a court letter is needed and by when

3. Risk information

• The behaviour support plan, or confirmation there is none
• Any risk assessment from the prison, hospital, previous provider or clinician
• Known triggers, known protective factors, and what has worked before
• Substance use, medication, and any medical conditions workers must know about
• Who else needs to be involved: guardian, Public Advocate, Public Trustee, family

4. The person

• Their goals in their own words, if you have them
• Where they want to live, and with whom
• Worker preferences: gender, language, age, experience
• What a good day looks like for them, and what a bad one looks like

5. Timing and consent

• The date supports need to start
• Signed consent for the provider to speak with the lawyer, Corrections and health services, or a note that consent is being sought

What a good provider does with it

1. Responds within one business day to say whether they can take the referral
2. Meets the participant, in custody or by video where that is the only option
3. Prepares a proposed roster and, where needed, a court support letter
4. Leases or allocates a SIL home that fits the conditions, where SIL is funded
5. Trains every rostered worker in the behaviour support plan and the conditions before the first shift
6. Tells you what records they will share, with whom, and under what consent

What to ask before you refer

• How many participants with a forensic history do you currently support?
• What happens if the person breaches, relapses or is arrested?
• Who answers the duty phone, and what can they decide?
• Will you put the home and roster in writing for the court?
• Can we see a de-identified example of your shift notes and incident reports?

Frequently asked questions

Will a provider decline if the offence history is serious?

Some will. A specialist provider assesses the whole picture: current risk, supports, housing and the conditions of the order. The offence is one factor, not the only one.

Can I refer before the plan is approved?

Yes. A provider can meet the person, prepare a proposed roster and a letter, and help with the evidence for the plan. Funded supports start when the plan does.

What if there is no behaviour support plan?

Say so. The provider will usually ask the coordinator to request behaviour support funding and will work from an interim risk assessment in the meantime.

How fast should a provider respond?

Within one business day to say whether they can take the referral, and within a week to meet the person. Anything slower on a release timeline is a problem.

This guide is general information from a registered NDIS provider in Perth, current at October 2026. It is not legal or financial advice. Check the current NDIS Operational Guidelines and talk to your support coordinator or planner about your own plan.