Lawyer Wellbeing Systems Theory of Change

A new framework for change in lawyer wellbeing

Our co-developed roadmap for system-level change in lawyer wellbeing is designed to guide practical action and lasting improvements to wellbeing within the legal profession.

Download the Systems Theory of Change framework here.

Around one-third of lawyers report experiencing moderate to severe psychological distress. For early career lawyers, this increases to 45 per cent. To make real and sustainable change in lawyer wellbeing, the focus for action needs to move beyond individual resilience to the system-wide drivers that are having negative impacts.

The Lawyer Wellbeing Systems Theory of Change framework builds on our existing body of research into lawyer wellbeing, and draws on the expertise and experience of Victorian lawyers to identify the system-level factors driving poor wellbeing.

Furthermore, the framework provides practical guidance on where the Victorian legal profession can focus effort to mitigate these factors and effect the biggest change.

A message from Victorian Legal Services Board CEO and Commissioner, Fiona McLeay, and Lawyer Wellbeing Program Manager, Lucy Fraser

How you can be part of the change

1. Read the framework and make a plan to change within your part of the system.

The framework is available for download here. It highlights goals for change at the individual, interpersonal, organisational and sectoral levels in the short, medium and long-term. Everyone in the legal sector can play a part in achieving these outcomes. If you’re a leader in the legal profession, you have even more power to effect change.

2. Download, print and display the workplace poster.

Share the framework within your organisation by displaying the poster with QR code to find out more.

3. Follow us on LinkedIn and bookmark our website to find out about:

the resources and action-based guidelines we’ll provide to the profession to aid the implementation of the framework
the pilot projects we’ll fund to drive change where it’s most effective.

4. Read the full report.

You can download the full report here. Prepared by Melbourne-based experts in social research and evaluation, First Person Consulting (FPC), the full report provides a deeper understanding of the drivers of poor wellbeing, as identified by the Victorian legal profession.

A plan for change by and for the Victorian legal profession

Co-designing the framework in partnership with the legal sector means it’s meaningful, actionable and reflects the experiences, insights and expertise from those involved in the legal system.

We appointed FPC to set up and lead a 3-stage co-design process to capture the Victorian legal sector’s thoughts and insights. This process included:

the System Effects Survey, which explored the drivers of poor lawyer wellbeing, and how they relate to one another at a system level
online peer workshops, where members of the Victorian legal sector who had signed up via an expression of interest process identified areas for change and highlighted current efforts in the sector
the Sector Survey, where members of the Victorian legal sector who had signed up via the expression of interest process provided their feedback on the draft Systems Theory of Change.