Rehabilitation Case Manager Forum

Past forums

3 December 2024

Effective strategies for a neuro-inclusive return to work

This important forum focussed on integrating neurodivergent awareness into return-to-work practices.

Led by Neurodivergent Career Coach Samantha Nuttall, the session delved into what neurodiversity means for workplace culture, the impact of inclusive practices on health outcomes, and the practical adjustments that create safer, more supportive environments for return-to-work.

Drawing on Samantha’s deep expertise in neurodivergent advocacy and her unique lived experience, this forum equipped RCMs with the tools and confidence to create truly neuro-inclusive practices that support the strengths and needs of neurodivergent individuals. The session was recorded and will be made available on this page soon.

The forum also included a refresher session to address frequently asked questions in relation to the rehabilitation requirements of the Guide for Arranging Rehabilitation Assessments and Requiring Examination.

Post-forum resources

• Presentation slides: Effective strategies for a neuro-inclusive return to work (PDF, 4.4 MB)
• Information pack: Effective strategies for a neuro-inclusive return to work (PDF, 1.5 MB)

September and October 2024

Overview of the Guide for Arranging Rehabilitation Assessments and Requiring Examinations

On 24 September and 3 October 2024, we held online information sessions designed to help rehabilitation case managers better understand the Guide for Arranging Rehabilitation Assessments and Requiring Examinations 2024 (The Guide), registered as a legislative instrument on 17 September 2024.

The session was open to all rehabilitation case managers and decision makers administering the SRC Act as well as other interested parties.

Participants were presented with a detailed discussion of how the Guide for Arranging Rehabilitation Assessments and Requiring Examinations applies to section 36 rehabilitation assessment and examination determinations and had the opportunity to ask questions.

Post-forum resources

• Q&As (PDF, 300.1 KB)
• Presentation slides (PDF, 2.7 MB)
• Guide for Arranging Rehabilitation Assessments and Requiring Examinations
• Rehabilitation Case Manager Handbook (PDF, 1.5 MB)

The session was recorded and can be made available, via email request to providerframeworksandRTW@comcare.gov.au.

30 July 2024

Don't overlook the social in biopsychosocial: a social perspective on return to work

This was a thought-provoking forum focused on the benefits of social prescribing: connecting employees with social support services and community resources to improve their well-being and return-to-work (RTW) outcomes.

Dr Caroline Howe, a global leader of the Social Recovery Movement:

• defines social prescribing and discuss how it can enhance mental and physical health through social engagement, reducing isolation and distress
• shares lived experience examples of her work supporting individuals with workplace injuries to become healthier, happier, and more productive individuals, thereby facilitating successful workplace reintegration.

The forum will also feature a presentation by Australian researchers Christina Aggar and JR Baker, who discussed:

• their recent research on the impact of social prescribing on individuals recovering from work-related injuries
• their findings shed light on how social prescribing can significantly influence recovery trajectories and enhance return to work outcomes.

19 March 2024

This forum focused on Return to wellness: Embracing trauma informed practices in workplace rehabilitation. Participants heard about the principles of trauma-informed practice and how adopting a trauma informed approach can support better return to work outcomes.

The forum featured two guest speakers:

• Dr. Johanna Lynch, a distinguished authority in trauma-informed practice and whole person care. Dr Lynch demystified the core principles and provided practical strategies for incorporating trauma-informed practices into rehabilitation case management.
• Nicole Turnbull, who shared her lived experience of work-related psychological injury. Nicole’s presentation shed light on the powerful impact that a trauma-informed approach can have in supporting an employee with a psychological injury to return to work.

Comcare also provided an update on current and upcoming return to work initiatives.

Post-forum resources

5 December 2023

This forum was focused on overcoming burnout and returning to work with purpose. Participants heard about:

• Better practice approaches and practical strategies to support a positive return to work outcome following a diagnosis of burnout.
• Tools to recognise and manage burnout in yourselves.

25 July 2023

This forum was focused on Improving RTW outcomes by understanding and addressing mental health stigma in the workplace, and featured three guest speakers:

• David Westgate Black Dog Institute Ambassador. David shared his lived experience of mental illness at work.
• Oliver Granger from Safe Work Australia.
• Nikola Balvin from Comcare's Mental Health and Research team. Nikola introduced Mental Notes.

Comcare also provided an update on current and upcoming return to work initiatives.

21 March 2023

This forum featured two guest speakers: Physiotherapist, Anjelo Ratnachandra and Psychologist, Jacqui Stanford. Both speakers specialise in treating patients with chronic pain and have expertise in workers’ compensation and return to work support. The presenters shared some of their personal experiences and strategies that RCMs can use to support employees with chronic pain to ensure a positive RTW outcome. Comcare also provided an update on our current and upcoming return to work initiatives.

6 December 2022

This forum featured guest speaker, Dr Steven Kaye. Dr Kaye is a General Practitioner who has been practicing in suburban South East Melbourne for more than 25 years. His practice has a broad range of clinical exposure including workplace/occupational medicine and will present on the perspective of the GP in collaborating with the workplace highlighting strategies to engage with the GP and other stakeholders ensuring a positive return to work for the employee. Comcare also provided an update on return to work initiatives and the Comcare - Mental Health Professionals' Network webinars.

11 August 2022

This forum featured three workplace rehabilitation provider guest speakers from The Rehabilitation Specialists, Rehab Management and Workcom. They each presented case studies where there were significant RTW barriers, and will highlight the strategies used to overcome the barriers, engage all stakeholders and ensure a positive RTW outcome for the employee.

24 March 2022

This forum featured two guest presenters:

• Louise Pitcher is an experienced clinical psychologist and is the founder of Trauma Strong. She has worked to promote, prevent, intervene early and maintain effective approaches to individual and organisational wellness.
• Jeanette Kinahan has over 30 years of experience and practice working in personal injury prevention and management and is Co-Director of Thriving People.

Comcare also provided an update on current return to work initiatives.

28 October 2021

This forum featured two guest presenters:

• Amber Tratter is a Senior Relationship Manager at the Australian Network on Disability who works with Australian businesses to build the capacity of their employees to confidently welcome employees with disability into all aspects of business. Amber is a professional facilitator and trains teams to ensure they are getting it right and leads projects across Australia to empower people with disability.
• Morgan Tear is a Research Fellow at BehaviourWorks Australia. Morgan’s research lies at the intersection of social, cultural, and organisational psychologies. He was a researcher on the Employee awareness project; a joint 2019 project with Comcare that investigated how to better empower people with a temporary or permanent injury, illness or disability to use work as part of their recovery.

22 July 2021

The Forum featured the Early Matched Care at Australia Post program (EMCAP). Australia Post Group recently won the Recovery at and Return to Work Award for this program at the 2021 Comcare National Work Health and Safety Awards.