Workers compensation workplace rehabilitation provider approval framework
This framework sets out the requirements for organisations delivering or seeking to deliver workplace rehabilitation services within the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme.
Chapters
Chapters
3. Part 3 Service streams
The information contained in this part is to assist providers in understanding the different service streams, including their purposes, when to use a particular service stream, and things to consider when delivering a service.
Recover at work (same employer) service stream
Workplace rehabilitation services that assist a worker to recover at work or return to work with the same (i.e., pre-injury) employer.
Providers should use this service stream with workers when:
- support is required to identify suitable work
- a workplace assessment is needed to identify and negotiate duties
- support is required to upgrade a worker's capacity through recovery at work
- a coordinated approach is required to support recovery through work to assist the worker, the employer and the worker's support team
- design and implementation of tailored return to work interventions matched to the worker and workplace circumstances (return to work planning and monitoring) is needed
- recovery through work is not straightforward, and the worker requires support to understand the health benefits of good work
- utilising SIRA funded recovery at work programs.
When assessing need:
- ensure there is early, accurate identification of risk and needs, to ensure the most appropriate intervention is applied to achieve a safe recovery at or return to work
- consider the utilisation of SIRA-funded recovery at work programs to support recovery through work
- provide an ongoing assessment as information is received or circumstances change.
When providing employer support:
- educate the employer on the health benefits of good work
- deliver services that consider the employer's capacity and needs, including education and support to identify suitable work
- determine and provide support with a focus on the most direct pathway back to work
- actively include the employer in the recover at work planning
- consider workplace industrial relations and human resource matters that may influence the worker's recovery at or return to work
- avoid unnecessary issues between the worker and employer by promptly and fairly addressing concerns.
When coordinating service/s and resources:
- actively integrate services with other injury management, recovery and return to work activities
- structure communication to provide essential information to relevant parties, including progress towards health and recovery through work outcomes
- embed structured handover systems and processes into workflows to ensure continuity of services and support for the worker.
When developing and implementing the return-to-work plan:
- ensure the service selected is supported by evidence-based decisions to achieve the recovery at work strategy
- obtain agreement and approval for the recovery plan from the insurer, employer and treating doctor
- use work to improve health and assist recovery
- undertake regular, timely and active reviews of the worker's recovery through work to:
- gather evidence of progress towards outcomes
- review the impact of interventions on identified return to work needs
- consider and act on new information
- maintain contact and align expectations with all relevant parties.
Return to work (new employer) service stream
Workplace rehabilitation services that assist a worker in returning to work with a new employer.
Providers should use this service stream with workers when:
- a recover at work goal with a new employer is required
- identification of suitable vocational options, vocational capacity and potential is needed
- rehabilitation counselling is indicated to identify barriers to recovery and return to work
- a worker's capacity and transferrable skills for new employment need to be determined
- education and support is required for adjustment to disability, recovery through work and understanding the health benefits of good work
- a job seeking strategy and support is required
- assessing potential worksites to ensure the suitability of a new job or work trial placement, including the supply of assistive equipment, workplace or work modification/s
- using SIRA-funded vocational programs to support recovery at work in new employment.
When assessing need:
- ensure there is early, accurate identification of risk and needs to enable the most appropriate intervention to be applied to achieve a safe recovery at work, or return to work
- undertake an ongoing assessment as information is received or circumstances change.
For return-to-work planning:
- undertake vocational assessment and counselling to understand the worker's vocational capacity
- assess and develop a job placement strategy
- facilitate physical upgrading or transitional duties with a host employer prior to return to work with the pre-injury employer
- build capacity, develop skills and/or gain on the job experience
- assist with job preparation
- incorporate workplace assessment of a worker performing pre-injury duties and/or suitable work options with a different employer
- collaboratively set expectations, develop agreed SMART goals and identify steps, actions and the order in which they are delivered to achieve outcomes
- ensure the service selected is timely and supported by evidence-based decisions to achieve the recovery through goals
- obtain agreement and approval for the recovery plan from the worker, insurer, employer and treating doctor
- use SIRA funded recovery at work programs to support recovery through work.
When coordinating service delivery:
- actively integrate services with other injury management, recovery and return to work activities
- structure communication to provide essential information to relevant parties, including progress towards health and recovery through work outcomes.
When implementing the return-to-work plan:
- consider, act and update the plan when new information is received
- use work to improve health and assist recovery
- provide regular, timely and active reviews of the worker's return to work to:
- gather evidence of progress towards outcomes
- review the impact of interventions on identified return to work needs
- consider and act on new information
- maintain contact and align expectations with all relevant parties.
Workplace facilitated discussion service stream
To address barriers where a workplace relationship issue is impacting recovery at work.
Providers seeking approval can only deliver this service where the worker has a goal to return to work with their same employer.
A facilitated workplace discussion is a brief intervention that enables a SIRA-approved workplace facilitator to provide recovery through work support to parties to address issues that may be impacting the recovery at work.
The goal of the service is to offer a supportive environment to discuss current challenges and concerns that may be affecting the worker's ability to return to work.
The service is broken into two parts, Preparation (Part A) and Meeting (Part B).
Preparation (Part A)
- Pre-meeting with each relevant party, including the worker and employer representative involved in the workplace relationship issue
- Discussion regarding concerns, issues and challenges that may be impacting recovery at work
- Identification of available resources to support recovery through work
- If agreed by both parties, proceed to a joint meeting facilitated by a person approved to provide the service
Meeting (Part B)
- Facilitated by the provider to assist parties to reach a workable agreement to enable a safe recovery at work
- Written action plan agreed to and provided to each party
- Report developed outlining the issues and the agreed actions.
The facilitated workplace discussion should be provided in a format that is appropriate to the individual circumstances and can include a telephone, video conferencing or face to face meeting.
Specialist job-seeking services stream
This has been separated from the 'Return to work (new employer) service stream description as, although some of the tasks may be similar, the professional qualifications and experience required for specialist job-seeking services are different.
Services include:
- negotiating a job placement strategy that outlines the job placement services to meet the worker's needs
- preparation of the worker to independently seek and obtain a new employment
- facilitating job search and placement support for job seekers.
Providers should use this service stream with workers when:
- assistance is required with any of the following elements of job-seeking, including:
- developing a job-seeking plan
- resume and interview skill development
- liaising with employers and relevant parties
- preparation to seek and obtain a new job
- job search including identification of suitable positions
- negotiating employment placements
- labour market knowledge and expertise is required
- post-placement support is required to ensure placement goals are achieved
- SIRA-funded recovery at work programs are to be used.