- CPD Series -

Psychosocial Safety in Practice

Compliance-focused training for solicitors and FDRPs

CPD flyer – Psychosocial Safety in Law and Mediation, Part 1 online webinar

Part 1: Psychosocial Safety in Law and Mediation

Date: Thursday, 16 October 2025

Time: 4:00pm– 5:30pm QLD (AEST). Use Time Zone Converter

Format: Online webinar (live + material access). Can’t attend live? Register to access the recording.

CPD: 1.5 Units (self-assessed)

Fee: Free.

Overview

Psychosocial risks are no longer just “wellbeing” issues — they are compliance, operational, and reputational risks.

Under Australian WHS law and the Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work Code of Practice, solicitors, law firms, and mediation services have a duty of care to identify, assess, and control psychosocial hazards in the workplace.

This interactive webinar translates those obligations into practice. Participants will see how hazards such as excessive workload, low job control or support, bullying, and vicarious trauma (including exposure in family law and FDV matters) can escalate into burnout, unsafe culture, WorkCover claims, or regulator scrutiny — and how to prevent them through clear, defensible controls.

  • Understand WHS duties, the Code of Practice and duty of care for psychological health (including staff exposed to traumatic material).

  • Apply the Code to real legal & mediation scenarios.

  • Implement practical controls to identify, assess, and manage psychosocial risks.

Learning Outcomes

Why This Matters (Compliance & Risk)

  • Legal duty: Psychosocial risk management is a WHS obligation — not optional.

  • Liability: Inadequate controls increase the risk of WorkCover claims, regulatory investigation, and reputational damage.

  • Practice risk: Exposure to family law and FDV matters heightens the risk of vicarious trauma; leaders have a duty of care to protect staff.

  • Defensible action: Applying identify → assess → control → review ensures alignment with the Code and provides protection in audits or claims.

  • Practical value: This is evidence-based training to help practitioners comply, reduce liability, and safeguard both practice and wellbeing.

Michelle Lovell
Psychologist · FDRP · Child Consultant · Consultant in Psychosocial Risk Management

Michelle’s background spans organisational and clinical psychology and family law dispute resolution. Michelle consults on psychosocial risk management and delivers evidence-based training on psychosocial hazards, vicarious trauma and safe work design. Her work translates the Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work Code of Practice into practical, defensible controls relevant to legal and mediation settings.

Presenter

  • Solicitors: aligns with practice Management & Business Skills and Professional Skills.

  • FDRPs: contributes to 24 hours/24 months CPD; relevant to FDV-adjacent practice.

  • Certificate: issued for recorded completion. If this activity is relevant to your professional development and the practice of law, claim one unit per hour of attendance (breaks excluded).

CPD & Compliance Notes

  • Solicitors / Principals / Practice Managers (practice management & business skills; professional skills)

  • FDRPs and Service Leads: (safe practice; FDV-adjacent contexts).

Who Should Attend