12.4 Psychosocial Rehabilitation under the VVRS

This topic relates to sections 2.2.4 and 3.2.2A of the VVRS Instrument.

Definition

Under section 1.3 of the VVRS Instrument, a psychosocial service is defined as a rehabilitative, skill-building or recovery-oriented service that aims to restore a person to his or her optimal level of independent functioning within the community.

Services must be reasonably required

A psychosocial service may be included in a vocational rehabilitation program (s2.2.5) or a rehabilitation program (s3.2.2A) if the services are reasonably required to:

a) assist the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment; or

b) address an identified rehabilitation barrier as part of the process of assisting the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment.

Identification of psychosocial services

A service will be considered psychosocial in nature if it is likely to make objective* and subjective** progress towards a psychosocial goal, in the wider context of achieving a suitable paid employment outcome for the individual.

*Objective progress refers to an assessment of a VVRS delegate, taking into account the advice from a rehabilitation provider.

**Subjective progress refers to the perception of a VVRS participant.

Goals may include, but are not limited to:

• Self-management of the individual’s injury, disease or condition;
• Increased and improved social interaction and community inclusion;
• Meaningful engagement;
• Management of a changed sense-of-self and emotions from living with and adapting to a long term illness or injury;
• Improved living conditions.

Psychosocial services unlikely to be reasonable

An activity is not likely to be reasonable if:

• The service will not make objective and subjective progress to a psychosocial goal, in the wider context of achieving a suitable paid employment outcome; or
• The service does not comply with the individual’s medical restrictions (both physical and psychological); or
• The service poses an unreasonable risk to the individual or others; or
• The service cannot be approved according to the principles of cost-effectiveness; or
• The service is an autonomous, self-directed or unsupervised activity and there is no credible evidence demonstrating that an activity of this nature is the most appropriate activity for the individual; or
• The service is a form of medical treatment; or
• The service does not comply with evidence based models and practices for psychosocial rehabilitation; or
• The individual has already undertaken the service and is seeking reimbursement.

Psychosocial services may include, but are not limited to:

Gymnasium and pool memberships

If a gymnasium or pool membership is assessed as an appropriate intervention under s2.2.4 or s3.2.2A this activity may be approved as a one-time activity for a maximum three month period. This policy reflects the DRCA/MRCA policy on gymnasium and pool members in Chapter 5.4.1 of this library.

Hiring of equipment

A psychosocial service may include the hiring of necessary and reasonable equipment to enable the individual to undertake the authorised activity.