The Forensic Network (the shortened name of the Forensic Mental Health Services Managed Care Network) is one of Scotland's Managed Clinical Networks and it was established in Scotland in September 2003 by Scottish Government, in conjunction with "The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003." Under the auspices of the Scottish National Health Service, the Network is multi-agency, multi-disciplinary and multi-regional, linked with Scottish Prison Service, Social Work Services, and Police, Criminal Justice agencies, the Scottish Government and Carers, amongst others. The Scottish Ministers invited Andreana Adamson, Chief Executive of the State Hospital, to lead its development:
"The therapeutic aim of inpatient forensic services is to address violent, aggressive and offending behaviour. It is vital that patients are treated in accommodation appropriate to their needs in an environment that supports their rehabilitation."(Adamson, 2008)The aim for the Network being to bring a pan-dimensional SCOTLAND approach to the planning, development and rehabilitation pathways for forensic mental health services. The Network host several professional groups, commission short life working groups to tackle specific concerns, and facilitate clinical forums on a variety of key topic areas. The Network take a regional approach in order to achieve their aims of addressing fragmentation across forensic mental health services and representatives from NHS regions sit on an advisory committee and board to provide guidance and input into national approaches.
The Forensic Network host the School of Forensic Mental Health (SoFMH) which was established in 2007 and provides colleagues across the Forensic Network with teaching, training and research support. It is a virtual school and has connections with many secondary education providers, providing short professional courses, academic courses and distance learning courses across Scotland. Its flagship programme suite is the New to Forensic courses which have received international interest and commendation.