Prevention, Early Intervention & Complex Case Management Strategies
Occupational Stress Assessment -Specialised Early Assessment and Intervention for Stress Claims
- employee interview
- employer interview
- treating doctor contact
- other relevant parties’ contact
- measurement of work and personal stressors using psychometric testing
- assessment of presenting issues and mood state (i.e., depression, anxiety, hopelessness)
- recommendations and fast provision of report
We also provide early intervention case management for such claims to facilitate recovery and return to work (can be on a without prejudice or admission of liability basis).
- Comprehensive psycho-social initial assessment
- Vocational rehabilitation and specialised services to assist the employee with recovery and return to work.
- Rapid external redeployment if appropriate
- Education of the employer on how to manage stress claims in the workplace and prevent workplace stress
- Pre-claim assessment and intervention: worker showing signs of stress which is affecting their work performance or has stated intention of submitting a claim
Work Readiness Assessment
This assessment involves an interview and assessment to determine the worker’s readiness for work and assessment of psychosocial barriers. The assessment examines the presenting issues, barriers to employment and motivation for return to work. Recommendations are made regarding the worker’s readiness for work and potential barriers and solutions.
The assessment includes the use of a unique biopsychoenvironmental checklist which consider the interplay between biology, the psychological reaction to the perception of disease and social factors.
Approaches to recovery within the model reflect a spectrum from profound illness behaviour and adoption of sick roles to a realistic acceptance of the underlying impairment and the implementation of strategies to cope with residual deficits – thus minimising the effects of disability on life role functioning. This occurs through efforts to maximise activity and abilities, despite impairments.
Client perceptions and attitudes to illness, recovery and rehabilitation are known as “subjective recovery status”. This status is arrived at through a complex interplay of conscious and unconscious factors falling into the broad categories of:
- Premorbid psychosocial status
- Severity of the physical and/or emotional trauma/condition
- Nature of the resulting symptoms and disability
- Environmental influences, including stressors and social supports
- Schema and perceptions regarding impairment/disability, disease, and handicap
- Emotional adjustment process to the impairment/disability
- Coping abilities/resources of the client.
Psychological Fitness for Work Assessment (PFW)
A Psychological Fitness for Work Assessment assists both the employer and employee by determining their psychological fitness to undertake their duties due to mental health concerns, pre-existing psychological condition or a recent life of work event that has impacted the employee significantly.
The assessment reviews whether the employee is fit to return or sustain work duties safely. In addition, the report will outline recommendations for a safe return to work plan, modifications or ongoing support requirements. If a return to work is not suitable then STAR Psychologists can recommend more suitable work duties or even career redirection via our Vocational Assessment and Career Transition Services.
Critical Incident/ Trauma Assessment and Intervention
This service is designed for workers who have experienced a traumatic injury/incident.
We have often found that traumatic injuries/incidents have led to post traumatic stress, which usually becomes a “block” to a successful return to work. Appropriate assessment and debriefing in the initial stages of rehabilitation should decrease potential employment barriers.
Head Office
Attadale WA 6156