Vocational Rehabilitation QUEST BRAIN INJURY SERVICES Fleur Colohan Vocational Instructor Elaine Armstrong Head 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/Rehabilitation Delivered 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 Groups Vocational: 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: IrritabilityMemoryFatigue ImpulsivityConcentrationMobility MotivationInsightSocial Skills ReasoningEpilepsy 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