The Individual Recovery Support Program provides non-clinical psychosocial services to support consumers to transition back into the community upon release from a correctional facility.

The program provides one-on-one ‘wraparound’ support for up to 12 months post-release, including:

• Three months of high intensity support where consumers are supported to address their highest priority needs to facilitate integration back into community.
• Nine months of lower intensity support which focuses on the achievement of the individual’s medium to longer term recovery goals.

Available supports

At entry into the program, our team will work together with consumers, carers, and Prison Mental Health Services (PMHS) clinicians to conduct a recovery needs assessment which will inform the development of a mutually agreed Individual Recovery Plan.  

Support provided as part of this plan might include:

• Improving and maintaining independent daily living skills
• Gaining competitive employment
• Establishing and maintaining housing arrangements
• Preventing relapse
• Managing stress
• Building capacity for self-advocacy
• Re/engaging in positive and supportive social and family connections
• Connecting with relevant community-based services and resources

Support might be provided be face-to-face, in-home, over the phone or via teleconference to maximise direct support and ensure flexibility.

Consumers have the opportunity to take part in groups-based activities when they enter the lower intensity support period if it aligns with their recovery goals and Individual Recovery Plan.

Our approach

Our team provides person-centered intensive support underpinned by the Collaborative Recovery Model, a strength-based coaching practice framework for identifying personal strengths, values and goals.

We draw on a number of models and tools to provide best practice care, leveraging on the specialist skills and experience of our multidisciplinary team to provide a flexible and culturally informed service to diverse consumers including CALD, LGBTIQ, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and young people.

Our Peer Support Workers draw on their own lived experience of mental health issues to support consumers in their recovery.

Working together

We work closely with the Cairns and Hinterland Prison Mental Health Services (PMHS), AOD services, Queensland Corrective Services and Primary Health Care services to facilitate access to ongoing mental health, alcohol and other drugs (AOD), physical health, employment, accommodation, and community and social support services.

Eligibility

The Individual Recovery Support Program can be accessed by people who:

• Are aged 18 years and over
• Are experiencing a severe mental illness
• Are accessing or have recently accessed (within the last three months) mental health clinical care through a Hospital and Health Service (HHS)
• Are referred by the HHS
• Are in the Cairns and Hinterland region

Individuals ineligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will be prioritised.