The Leading Well Psychological Injury Strategy was developed jointly with the Public Sector OHS & IM branch of WorkCover NSW and is sponsored by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

The aim of Leading Well is to provide guidance to public sector agencies to make improvements in leadership performance and promote:

• proactive management of the organisational factors that can give rise to psychological injuries; 
• post-incident counselling;
• claims management; and 
• return to work.

Leading Well is based on research into the causes and remedies for psychological injury which shows that effective management of human resources issues can reduce, and even prevent, psychological injuries occurring.

Leading Well is consistent with a number of existing NSW public sector directions including Working Together: Public Sector OHS & Injury Management Strategy 2005-2008 and the NSW State Plan’s focus on building capability to provide effective service delivery. 

To meet the key objectives of Leading Well, Chief Executives will need to ensure:

• they clearly define their agency’s role, values and management culture  
• opportunities for leadership improvement are identified and addressed
• change management processes plan for and manage merging challenges
• the impact of activities to improve leadership and reduce psychological injury are measured
• the experience of claims managers is harnessed to continually improve performance
• supervisors and managers undertake return to work awareness in partnership with providers.

Leading Well includes a list of resource material to assist agencies develop and implement strategies to reduce and prevent psychological injury.

The Leading Well strategy is supported by an Action Plan that outlines strategic and operational activities to be undertaken by stakeholders.

The Strategy and Action Plan applies to all public sector agencies, including agencies outside the Treasury Managed Fund (TMF) workers compensation scheme.  It is recommended that State Owned Corporations also adopt the strategy.

Robyn Kruk
Director-General

Issued : Workforce Policy and Advice (Public Employment Office)
Contact: Cathryn Hellams, Manager, Employment Relations Policy and Advice
EMail: [email protected]
Telephone no: 9228 3531    Facsimile:    9228 4056
File no: PSM/08364-002
Date:  29 October 2007
This memorandum has not superseded any other Memorandum