ESF – Residential Wellbeing Program

What is the RWP?

The Residential Wellbeing Program is a small group residential program providing a concentrated four-day period of learning and reflection, guided by trauma-informed clinicians.

It supports emergency service workers experiencing psychological distress by providing a safe and supportive environment focused on recovery.

Quick Program Snapshot

4 consecutive days
Small group format
8 participants
2 clinicians
Private rooms with ensuites
Held at Cape Schanck
Intake assessment required

Why this program exists.

Emergency service workers are regularly exposed to operational stress. ESF identified a gap in early intervention support for Victorian emergency service workers and developed the RWP to help address psychological distress before it progresses to more serious mental injury.

Early
Intervention

Supporting people earlier, before distress becomes more severe.

Occupational Stress & Trauma

Designed specifically around emergency service work and its unique impacts.

Recovery-Focused Support

A structured residential setting for reflection, skill development and recovery.

The power of early intervention

Early intervention can reduce the impact of developing mental health issues and support better long-term outcomes for workers, workplaces and communities.

Read the research behind the program

Informed by research and leading practice

Churchill Scholarship Report

International wellbeing retreats for emergency responders.

ESF Scholarship Report

Australian public wellbeing retreats and their relevance to emergency workers.

British Columbia First Responder Resilience Program

Insights from international first responder wellbeing practice.

Literature Review & Qualitative Study

Research into needs, expectations and best-practice program design.

Two Residential Wellbeing Pathways.

Pathway 1: Early Intervention

Self-nominated orange zone participants

For people who are seeking help because they have “experienced a lot” and are struggling, but do not have a mental injury claim.

An emergency service worker from an ESF member agency may self-nominate for an intake assessment.

Funding options;

Self-funded participation — $7,000
Employer-funded participation — $7,000
Sponsored place through ESF fundraising
8 sponsored places expected in October 2026

Nominate Here

Learn about intake assessment

The program is not suitable for everyone.

People are assessed before attending, and those needing a different level of support are directed to appropriate services.

Pathway 2: Return to Work

Workers with an approved mental injury claim

For emergency service workers with an approved mental injury claim who are currently employed by:

Victoria Police

Ambulance Victoria

Fire Rescue Victoria

Triple Zero Victoria

This pathway is funded by WorkSafe to test the RWP’s impact on return-to-work outcomes.

Program details

20 programs
July 2026 to December 2027
8 participants per program
No charge for participation
Referral must come from the injured worker’s WorkCover Agent

Referral information

View eligibility criteria

Evaluation for Return to Work pathway participants

Participants accepted through the Return to Work pathway agree to take part in an evaluation process designed by Phoenix Australia, University of Melbourne. This involves data collection through four online surveys and a focus group over a 12-month period.

Intake Assessment

The intake assessment is designed to determine suitability and readiness for the program.

Online health and wellbeing survey

Takes around 20 minutes to complete and is reviewed by an ESF clinician.

One-on-one online conversation

A confidential conversation with an ESF clinician to understand current circumstances and determine suitability for group therapy.

Where the magic happens

The program takes place at Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula over four consecutive days.

Each participant has their own private room with ensuite. There are no other guests apart from other RWP participants, and ESF clinicians/facilitators stay on site.

Privacy
No other guests on site.

Nature-based setting
Chosen for its position in nature.

Private accommodation
Each participant has their own room and ensuite.

Homelike environment
A supportive setting away from everyday pressures.

What the program involves

Eight participants are guided by two clinicians over four intensive days of learning and reflection focused on skill development and recovery.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Exposure Therapy
Nervous system reset techniques
Written Exposure Therapy
Return-to-work preparation
Life Review

What participants take away

Eight participants are guided by two clinicians over four intensive days of learning and reflection focused on skill development and recovery.

Plan for self-care
Participants leave with a clearer plan for ongoing wellbeing.

Nervous system reset techniques
Practical techniques to support regulation and recovery.

Safe peer reflection
An opportunity to share experiences in a supported group environment.

Recovery skills
Tools and strategies to support day-to-day life and return-to-work goals.

The Role of a Support Person

All people accepted onto the program must nominate a support person who has agreed to take on that role.

The support person helps participants transition back into day-to-day life after the program, especially when return to work is the goal.

What clinicians look for in a support person

The experience of a previous support person

View Participant Reflections

Confidentiality and clinical governance

The program has been designed with confidentiality, dignity and clinical governance at its centre. ESF uses clinical practice software Cliniko to gather and store participant information. Information is only accessed by the program lead and clinical facilitators and is not shared with employers.