Vocational Rehabilitation

QUEST BRAIN INJURY SERVICES

Fleur ColohanVocational Instructor

Elaine ArmstrongHead of Brain Injury Services

Purpose Statement

Our services aim to provide training and support for people with acquired Brain Injury in the following areas:

• Personal Development

• Community Integration

• Further Training/Education

• Vocational Opportunities

Model of Service Delivery

• Assessment & Planning

• Direct Training/Rehabilitation

• Community Based Vocational Case Management

Assessment & Planning

• Referral – An agreed pathway for referral either from a specific

community brain injury team or a range of sources.

• Assessment– Sourcing relevant information to identify social and

vocational aspirations and support needs

• Individual Action Plan– Documenting what will be delivered, within a specific

timescale, with responsibilities allocated and a review schedule agreed

Direct Training/RehabilitationDelivered in one to one support sessions or small groups to

develop & practice skills for community integration:• Brain Injury Awareness• Cognitive Rehabilitation• Behaviour Management• Communication/Interpersonal skills• Independent Living skills• Learning skills and strategies• IT and administrative skills• Preparation for Work (career exploration, job seeking, interview

skills, work related behaviour)• Travel Training• Stress Management• Essential Skills (literacy & numeracy)

Community Based Vocational Case Management

Training:• Vocational Training• Education Courses• Hobby Courses & Interest GroupsVocational:• Vocational profiling & job matching• Work Experience Placements• Job Retention (linking with previous employers)• Voluntary Work Support:• Personal goal setting/career development planning• Job support on site• Brain Injury Awareness Training on-site

QUEST TRAINING CENTRE•Location: Galway city retail park

•Staff: Co-ordinator, Psychologist & 4 Instructors (2 F/T, 2 P/T)

Access to counsellor

•Clients: 17 Clients (F/T)

•Outreach & Aftercare Service (30 clients)

ROLE OF VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTOR

•Profiling and assessment

•Work attitudes

•Job Seeking skills

•Career Exploration

•Work Experience Placement

COMMUNITY & WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS

•Profiling, job Matching

•Early placement (where possible)

•Continued linkage with the Team and Centre

•Utilisation of external agencies e.g. Fas etc.

•Support on site

•Employer education

Cedar Foundation Vocational Rehabilitation

• Regional Service– 8 services across Northern Ireland

• Staff resource:– 2 full-time staff posts, with admin support

• Clients:– 20 service users– 2 year programme (+2 year follow up contact)

• Delivered in partnership with Health & Social Services Brain Injury specialist staff – (neuropsychology, social work, OT, physiotherapy, speech &

language)

Cedar Foundation Vocational Rehabilitation

• Vocational Rehabilitation Officer– Pre-vocational skills training – Application of learning to community placements

• Vocational Case Manager– Preparation for work– Securing and supporting training courses and work

placements in local educational, community and employment settings

– Employer support and training

Entry Criteria

• An acquired or traumatic Brain Injury• Be resident within the funding region• Aged between 16 – 65 years• Permit access to all relevant information• Have the ability, motivation and potential to

benefit from the programme• Be medically stable• Be free from alcohol & drugs, which would

prevent full participation in the programme• Be able to access the centre

Vocational Rehabilitation -Benefits

• Improved health and social well-being• A personal development/career plan• Enhanced vocational skills• Vocational qualifications• Relevant work experience• Improved job search & interview

techniques• A support network facilitating inclusion

Vocational Rehabilitation – General Challenges I

At programme level:• Lack of awareness of brain injury among

employers• Insurance issues• Benefits/welfare challenges• Compensation Claim process• Sourcing host placement companies –

competition from other agencies

Vocational Rehabilitation – General Challenges II

At strategic level: • Recognising and measuring progress for funders/service

users/families (eg measuring ‘softer outcomes’)• Sustainability of outcomes – lack of funding/resources

for follow up• Long term vs time limited programmes

Vocational Rehabilitation – Personal Challenges

Brain Injury Related issues that relate to sustainability of outcomes:

Irritability Memory Fatigue

Impulsivity Concentration Mobility

Motivation Insight Social Skills

Reasoning Epilepsy Depression

Speed of Information Processing Stress Management

External Factors

Family concerns & expectations

Financial implications

Access to transport

Management Solutions

Employer related tips:• Approach by phone or face to face • Leave a leaflet of BASIC information• Explain supports available and the benefits the

experience will afford both the employer and employee• Liaise closely with family, relevant professionals and

support networks• Be honest with both employer and client• Actively support the client to apply compensatory

strategies to the work context• Keep close contact with co-workers

Management Solutions

General Tips:

Clear, agreed Personal Action Plans

Specific targeted feedback that is solutions focused

Giving a safe environment to reality test new compensatory strategies or roles

Develop natural supports

Success Factors

• Partnership working• Pre-vocational preparation • Active application of learning• Specialist Staff training• Brain Injury Awareness Training• Solutions Focus• Peer support• Maximising opportunities to utilise residual skills• Monitoring & Review• Structure, Routine and Consistency