Forensicare

Forensicare (The Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health) was looking to build a modernised online presence to better serve its patients, clients, and internal staff. The goal was to develop a new website and a secure intranet that would streamline communication, improve access to critical resources, and enhance staff collaboration.

As a government-funded mental health service, Forensicare needed a website that was not only visually engaging but also highly functional, accessible, and built for longevity. Additionally, the organisation required a secure, centralised internal platform where staff could share updates, access important documents, and collaborate efficiently. We were entrusted with this project to create a fast, intuitive, and structured system that would meet these operational needs while ensuring compliance with security and accessibility standards. As an agency specialising in eCommerce websites, creating an information driven platform for a government service presented a unique and exciting challenge for the Kobe Creations team.

The Kobe Creations team set-up multiple workshops and meetings across several Forensicare offices to gain deeper insights into their business processes and understand their staff's needs. This hands-on approach built a foundation of trust, open communication, and long-term partnership on which we began to digitise and transform their operations. From this, we understood that the organisation needed a highly secure and efficient system, and so we focused on designing a solution that streamlined content management, improved search functionality, and provided easy access to internal resources. The new layout was designed with a strong focus on User Experience (UX) and readability, ensuring visitors could easily find the information they needed.

Building the website
We focused on designing a solution that streamlined content management, improved search functionality, and provided easy access to internal resources. The new layout was designed with a strong focus on User Experience (UX) and readability, ensuring visitors could easily find the information they needed. To provide Forensicare with a highly functional and easily manageable website, we built the platform using WordPress. This allowed internal staff to update content effortlessly, ensuring the website remained current and informative. The design prioritised accessibility, readability, and structured navigation, making it easy for visitors to locate essential information without unnecessary complexity.

Leveraging our expertise in WordPress development we enhanced the site with key features, including a fast-search function, improved security, and integration with Forensicare’s existing intranet. An inbuilt email marketing system was created to communicate with staff and the wider community. Additionally the inclusion of a news/blog section and event promotion functionality helped boost engagement with both the public and mental health professionals. One of the key features was the implementation of a powerful smart search function, enabling users to quickly find relevant content across various sections, including news, policy documents, and key resources. The careers portal was developed to support Forensicare’s extensive hiring needs, allowing hundreds of applicants to seamlessly apply for positions through a well-integrated recruitment system. Additionally, a robust news and events section was implemented to enhance engagement with stakeholders, mental health professionals, and the wider community, keeping everyone informed about important updates and initiatives.

Building the intranet
The intranet was designed to be a comprehensive internal portal for Forensicare staff, providing a secure and efficient workspace. To ensure ease of access while maintaining security, we implemented Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication through Microsoft accounts, allowing staff to log in seamlessly without compromising data protection. A powerful document storage system was integrated, enabling staff to upload, manage, and retrieve indexed PDFs and other essential resources efficiently. This, combined with smart search capabilities, significantly reduced the time required to find and access critical internal documents, improving workflow efficiency. To facilitate better internal organisation and communication, we developed a business calendar that allows teams to track events, meetings, and key organisational activities in a structured manner. An embedded email system was incorporated within the intranet, allowing seamless internal communication between departments. For new and existing staff, an intuitive Q&A section and onboarding resource hub were introduced. These resources provide quick access to training materials, procedural guides, and essential knowledge-sharing tools, ensuring smooth integration for new employees and continuous support for current staff. A sophisticated workflow system for content approval was also implemented, ensuring that all published materials adhered to governance and compliance requirements. The secure infrastructure of the intranet safeguards sensitive data while enabling efficient staff collaboration, reinforcing Forensicare’s ability to manage and share internal information with confidence.

Our completed website and secure intranet provided Forensicare with an integrated digital platform that addressed its diverse needs. Their staff can now quickly find and share information through the Smart Search function, significantly reducing the time spent searching for critical documents. The Secure Intranet, backed by SSO authentication and structured content approval workflows, ensures that sensitive information is accessed only by authorised personnel, enhancing overall security and compliance.

The intuitive content management system allows Forensicare’s internal team to efficiently maintain and update content, keeping the platform relevant and up to date. Additionally, the embedded email system and internal news portal improves communication, ensuring staff remain informed, while the careers and event sections strengthen engagement with external stakeholders. We designed this website to support Forensicare’s ongoing expansion, the platform is built with scalability in mind, accommodating future hiring initiatives and new service offerings. By closely aligning with Forensicare’s operational requirements and user expectations, Kobe Creations delivered a solution that not only modernised the organisation’s digital presence but also provided a powerful internal tool that enhances collaboration, security, and efficiency. The website and Secure Intranet now serve as critical assets in supporting Forensicare’s mission to deliver leading forensic mental health services.

The new website can be found here.

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