Returning to the same workplace after brain injury is the preferred pathway and most likely to succeed.
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program (BIRP) clinicians will refer clients to you to prepare them to return to their employment.
Same employer is often referred to as a ‘Return to same employer’ program.
Funding support
Clients accessing Disability Employment Services (DES) funding may need allied health input for a workplace assessment and to develop the return to work plan. This input can be sourced through Work Assist.
Funding for workplace adjustments can be accessed through the Employment Assistance Fund.
Case study videos
Watch these examples of clients returning to their previous employers.
Same employer stages
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program (BIRP) clinician
- Contacts the vocational or Disability Employment Services (DES) provider to discuss referral
- Emails referral information to the provider
Provider
- Allocates referral to a consultant
- Contacts employer to confirm job availability
All
- Pre-referral meeting with the client, BIRP clinician, and consultant is recommended to introduce the client and confirm they wish to proceed. Arranged by BIRP clinician.
DES provider
- Registers client with Work Assist (DES provider only)
All providers
- Conducts initial meeting with the client and BIRP clinician to gather information and complete documentation not obtained during the pre-referral meeting
- Completes workplace assessment to develop a plan for returning to work
- Writes return-to-work plan and gets agreement from all parties
Employer
- Implements agreed workplace adjustments
Provider
- Monitors progress with client and employer
- Arranges on-the-job support as required
- Conducts onsite reviews to consider upgrading or changing plan
- Updates clinicians and other parties of progress
- Continues with the program until the employment goal is achieved