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 : WORK4YOU@abiireland.ie
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
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