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DETAILS OF OUR
REHABILITATION SERVICES
We provide here a brief overview of
vocational rehabilitation and then follow this with details
of our service. Please contact us for our current fee
sheet.
Vocational
rehabilitation- return to work
Firstly, it is important to say that we
specialise in vocational rehabilitation. This
is a planned series of activities with the goal of getting
an individual back to work.
Vocational rehabilitation formally begins
with a detailed review and evaluation of the individual and
their circumstances, including, for example, their support
system. The assessment is designed to identify
realistic work goals (both short-term and long-term); the
barriers that stand in the way of achieving those goals, and
a set of specific recommendations to overcome these
barriers.
Vocational rehabilitation is defined by
its purpose and process, as much as by its methods. It
is a dynamic, flexible, interactive process, rather than any
one specific activity. Specific activities that
constitute vocational rehabilitation are varied, but can
include:
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Psychometric testing to determine
retraining aptitude
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Interest guides and personality
questionnaires to assist the client in understanding their
own strengths and weaknesses
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Placement in the workplace to build work
stamina and re-establish work habits
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Careers guidance and careers counselling
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Others can include; information on how to
manage the disability in the workplace, stress management,
social skills training, development of communication skills,
literacy and numeracy training, and coaching.
Different people will require different
services. For some, simply having a realistic vocational
goal through good quality careers guidance is enough, for
others, more ongoing support is required. Ultimately,
the key point is that the client has a clear plan of action,
is motivated and has appropriate support when required.
Details of our service
Vocational
rehabilitation assessment report
As set out above, the key part of a
successful vocational rehabilitation intervention is having
a clear, relevant and appropriate plan of action, ie what is
the client trying to achieve?, what is realistic?, what are
the barriers and how can they be overcome? The
vocational rehabilitation assessment report serves as a
basis for any vocational rehabilitation activity, it the the
blue print. The purpose of the report is to draw up a
return to work action plan that, if implemented, would
enable the individual to progress. A range of
recommendations will likely be given, setting out in broad
terms what is required and we also recommend the use of
statutory services where appropriate.
The vocational rehabiltation assessment
report is consistent with the best practice guidelines on
rehabilitation, 'The Revised Rehabilitation Code' *agreed by
all the main associations for insurers and personal injury
lawyers (including APIL and FOIL). The purpose of this
document is to encourage both sides in a dispute to consider
how the claimant can be helped to rebuild their life,
whether through early intervention, medical treatment,
rehabilitation and assessment of employment needs. In
particular, this document sets out the role of the
'independent assessor', which is to determine rehabilitation
needs and recommendations. An 'independent assessor'
can determine what employment issues can be addressed for
the benefit of the claimant.
Fees vary depending on the complexity of
the case, and the degree of assessment required, but,
broadly speaking, twelve to fifteen hours of professional
time would be typical. Again, this service would
involve visiting the claimant at home and conducting a
structured interview, as well as making use of
psychometrics, if appropriate.
OTHER SPECIFIC
SERVICES
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Assessment of retraining capacity
This can be a stand alone objective analysis of an
individual's capacity to learn new skills. Typically,
five to six hours professional time.
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Careers advice and guidance
Careers guidance and advice that takes into account the
individual's disability. This is a more comprehensive
assessment as well as a discussion opportunity for the
claimant. Issues examined include personality,
motivation, intellectual ability, occupational interests.
Relevant careers information is also provided. This is
normally conducted by an occupational psychologist and
typically involves between two and four sessions. The
end result is a detailed report. As this is an
in-depth procedure, professional time is typically in the
region of 12 to 15 hours.
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Job retention It is
usually easier for a disabled person to keep their job than
it is to compete for another one. Often with some
flexibility on the part of the employer, some extra training
for the claimant, perhaps combined with an adjustment in the
job, an individual with an acquired disability can be
retained in employment. A successful job retention
needs as a basis a thorough assessment of the individual
claimant, as well as effective consultation with the
employer.
N.B. Detailed estimates can be
provided for all these services prior to instruction, and
fee maximums are given. All costs are plus VAT and
travel. The above can be provided stand alone or as
part of a package.
Combined
rehabilitation and employment report
We are frequently asked to prepare an
expert report setting out the vocational rehabilitation
needs of the claimant, as well as examining residual
employment prospects and comparing this with employment
prospects had the injury not occurred. Such a report
would normally include:
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Interview and assessment of the Claimant
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Examination of residual employment
prospects, or, if this is at an early stage after the
accident, then to identify the next steps that the
Claimant could be taking towards preparing himself for
future employment. This would involve identification
of a (tentative) employment goal, setting out his vocational
rehabilitation needs, and some assessment of retraining
potential.
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Assessment of the Claimant's employment
prospects had the accident not occurred.
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Information, availability and costs of
various local and national rehabilitation services and
information on pay and availability of appropriate work.
The fee for each instruction is assessed
individually.
We would be more than happy to discuss
any of these services in more detail, so please do not
hesitate to contact us.
*available on
the APIL website www.APIL.com
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