Effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation following acquired brain injury: preliminary evaluation of a UK specialist rehabilitation programme.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To report the outcome of 232 clients undertaking Rehab UKs Vocational Rehabilitation Programme, over three consecutive years, in three centres across the UK.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Data regarding demographic characteristics of participants, type and severity of acquired brain injury were collected on admission to the programme. The duration of the vocational programme and occupational status on discharge is also reported.

INTERVENTIONS: A description of the vocational programme is given including selection and admission criteria, main components of the programme, monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

RESULTS: Forty-one per cent of participants were discharged into paid competitive employment, with a further 16% gaining voluntary work and 15% taking up mainstream training or education. The remaining 28% were referred to other services or withdrew from the programme.

CONCLUSIONS: Vocational rehabilitation offering educational and experiential learning opportunities is effective in enabling participants with severe acquired brain injuries to return to paid employment.