Date amended:
External

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:

Psychosocial GoalsServices

Self-management of the individual’s injury or disease

  • Psycho-education
  • Medication adherence training
  • Illness self-management
  • Relapse prevention techniques
  • Assistance coping with symptoms
  • Skills of daily living
  • Family education strategies
  • Cognitive training
  • Drug and alcohol/substance management
  • Support groups

Increased and improved social interaction and community inclusion

  • Social skills training (organised group training such as ‘Toastmasters’ clubs and men’s sheds, individual counselling sessions to address social issues)
  • Personal relationship counselling
  • Community engagement programs (special interest groups: bee keeping clubs, art classes, dancing groups)

Meaningful engagement

  • Short-term, non-vocational, face-to-face educational courses

Management of a changed sense-of-self and emotions from living with a long term illness or injury

  • Counselling
  • Anger management
  • Lifestyle programs
Improved living conditions

  • Financial counselling

  • Housing/residential support

  • Transport support

  • Assistance with accommodation and tenancy obligations

 

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.