Community based vocational neuro-assessment service
Transcription
Community based vocational neuro-assessment service
Work4You Vocational Assessment Service Maurice Harte Senior Occupational Therapist Acquired Brain Injury Ireland The project is funded by the Department of Social Protection and the European Social Fund, and managed by Pobal Funding is provided up to the end of April 2015 under the ‘Disability Activation Project’ and supports a range of initiatives which aim to increase the capacity and potential of disabled people between 16-65 years to participate in the labour market, who reside in the Border, Midlands, West (BMW) region. Project Overview The Work4You project offers a free vocational assessment service for people with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and their employers across the BMW region. Through vocational assessment, people with an ABI will develop a ‘Personal Progression Plan’ highlighting strategies for continued employment, returning to work or accessing further education/training. Assessments are conducted in each regional hub by a Senior Occupational Therapist and supported by 2 Work4You Vocational Facilitators. Geographical area covered by our Vocational Assessment service for people with an Acquired Brain Injury in the BMW region. Project Eligibility People with an ABI between 16 -65 years In receipt of Sickness or Disability Welfare payment Application validated by the Department of Social Protection Resident in the BMW region Referral & Assessment Initial Referral Eligibility Check (Dept. of Social Protection) • • • • • Initial Interview Vocational Assessment Comprehensive Report Personal Progression Plan Workplace Assessment Initial Interview • Does the client have any physical/ functional difficulties with use of their upper/lower limbs etc. that will impact a return to work/training etc.? • What is the client’s cognitive ability like? • Any difficulties with fatigue? • Are there any behavioural/emotional difficulties? • Any perceptual/sensory difficulties i.e. vision, spatial awareness, hearing, touch etc. • Independence levels i.e. can the client drive/walk to work/use public transport? • Is the client interested in exploring alternative areas of occupation/training/education? Body Range of Motion Valpar Component Work Sample Series (VCWS) The VCWS was developed to meet the need for standardised work samples in the field of vocational evaluation The VCWS consists of various different sub-tests each designed to assess individual strengths weaknesses and capabilities Designed to simulate, not specific jobs, but rather the work factors that are required in thousands of jobs i.e. attention, memory, information processing, motor coordination, spatial aptitude, dexterity, stamina, frustration levels, independence levels etc. Valpar Component Work Sample Series (VCWS) • Valpar uses the Methods-Time Management (MTM) standard to assess performance (each sub-test is timed and scored for speed/accuracy) • According to the revised scoring system 100% is the industrial standard (this refers to the performance of a well trained worker using proper equipment at a pace that can be maintained over an 8 hour work day) • A work speed of 87.5% combined with any acceptable accuracy score must be achieved in order to meet the Worker Qualification Profile (WQP) and acceptable competitive rate (WQP refers to the demands of the work sample) Valpar Component Work Sample Series (VCWS) There are 4 main levels of WQP listed (Scoring) 1. “meets, may exceed” – refers to exceptionally fast scores (115%-150%) 2. “meets” – refers to a rate of work equal to the MTM standard (87.5% 112.5%) 3. “Does not meet A” – refers to a work rate below the competitive rate (85%- 62.5%) 4. “Does not meet B” – refers to demonstrated work rates well below open employment competitive standards (5.0%-60%) Personal Progression Plan Following the Vocational assessments, the Work4You teams will develop with the individual a ‘Personal Progression Plan’, which will include strategies to assist them in: • Sustaining their current employment • Getting back into training or employment • Accessing further education in order to gain future employment The Personal Progression Plan will be reviewed with the person at strategic timeframes i.e. 3, 6 & 12 months In addition to the Plan, the Work4You team will also offer advice, guidance together with referring the individual on to other vocational support services available to them in their local area if required. Constraints of Project • Criteria for accessing our service i.e. person has to be in receipt of a payment from department of social protection i.e. illness or disability welfare payment • Underlying fear of losing benefits/medical card if a client re-engages in work/education • Person has to reside within the identified counties. A person living close to the county boundary will not qualify. • Limited employment/training opportunities in certain areas compared to others • Limited transport in more rural areas to help clients access our assessment together with employment/education courses • Commencement of some training/educational courses only start at certain times of year. Successes of Project • The project has been very well received across the BMW regions by brain injury clients and service providers. • The project has received a steady stream of referrals across the BMW region • The Valpar assessment has been successful in identifying client strengths and weaknesses in preparation for suitable employment, training or education. • Our comprehensive assessment reports and PPP’s have been very well received by other relevant services, agencies, employers and families. • Our worksite visits offer professional clinical input in relation to identifying environmental risks and client need within the workplace. Outcomes Up to August 2014 Number of people with a disability participating 163 (male) 63 (female) 226 (Total) Outcomes up to August 2014 Number of people with a disability progressing to 46 further education 23 69 Number of people with a disability progressing to 36 employment 8 44 5 1 6 138 49 187 42 13 55 Number of people with a disability who continue in economic activity after 12 months Number of vocational assessments completed Number of workplace assessments completed Work4You have been engaging in publicity and research including: Facilitation of ABI Information, Education and Training events for co-workers, employers, employer representative bodies and other relevant organisations Completion of research (start, middle and end) on the effectiveness of the Work4You service for people with an acquired brain injury, employers and other stakeholders (HADS, CIQ, Mayo-Portland, RBANS etc.) Statistics capturing type, cause and prevalence of ABI are being captured on a monthly basis across the BMW region (limited statistical research on ABI in Ireland) Example Referral Sources National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) Health Service Executive Department of Social Protection Individual Families & Carers Employers Employment Agencies Citizen Information Centre for the Unemployed Irish Trades Union Congress Irish Association of Supported Employment Open to everyone with an acquired brain injury meeting the eligibility criteria Contact Us Initial Referral (Eligibility Check) Work4You Regional Hubs Work4You Northumberland Hall , Northumberland Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Email : [email protected] Tel : 01 2804164 Extension 301 North West Border & Western Region Chapel Street, Castlebar, Co. Mayo Tel : 094 9026630 Midlands Region Marlinstown Business Park , Mullingar, Co. Westmeath Tel : 044 9338773 North East Border Region Ardee Business Park, Ardee, Co. Louth Tel : 041 6857918 Thank You Questions & Answers Work4You is brought to you by www.abiireland.ie www.abiireland.ie Accredited by