Functional Capacity Assessment for people involved with the justice system is one of the most specialised areas of NDIS OT practice — and one of the most important. People in these circumstances frequently have significant and complex support needs, but face particular barriers to having those needs identified, assessed, and met.

Who is this assessment for?

Sina OT provides Functional Capacity Assessments for:

• People currently in custody who require an FCA completed within a custodial or correctional setting
• People transitioning from custody into the community
• People with involvement with the Department of Child Protection, including children and young people transitioning from statutory care into community living
• People with a history of justice involvement requiring an FCA for ongoing NDIS planning, review, or appeal purposes

Why justice-involved assessments are different

The custodial environment restricts what can be observed

An FCA completed within a prison or remand centre cannot observe the participant managing the full range of daily living activities the assessment is designed to evaluate. An experienced assessor understands what can and cannot be observed in a custodial setting and accounts for this in the functional opinion.

Prolonged incarceration affects daily living skills

People who have spent significant time in custody often experience de-skilling. The structured routines of custodial life mean that skills required for independent community living can atrophy over time. A well-prepared FCA recognises and documents this — not as a failure of the individual, but as a predictable consequence of the custodial environment.

Staged assessments

Where clinically appropriate, Sina OT can complete staged assessments — an initial assessment in custody and a follow-up assessment after the person has transitioned into the community — providing the most accurate picture of community support needs.

DCP-involved children and young people

For young people transitioning from statutory care, the FCA needs to account for the impact of trauma, disrupted development, and instability of placement. This requires clinical sensitivity and an understanding of how trauma, development, and functional capacity intersect.

Practical considerations — access and logistics

Completing an assessment inside a prison or remand centre requires prior arrangement with the facility. Sina OT manages this process and will discuss access requirements and logistics at the time of referral. Lead time is required — referrers should make contact as early as possible.

Who can refer?

Referrals are accepted from legal representatives, corrective health services, Disability Justice coordinators, DCP workers, support coordinators, participants, and family members or carers. Sina OT provides justice-involved FCAs primarily across South Australia, with national availability considered on a case-by-case basis.

Refer to Sina OT

Sina OT is an independent Occupational Therapy practice providing Functional Capacity Assessments across Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. All assessments are completed by experienced, registered Occupational Therapists. Services are available in English and Farsi (Persian). 400+ FCAs completed.