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Notes to Episode
Our BI clients might have had fulfilling and meaningful work lives before their injury and its loss can be a huge source of distress. Thinking about returning to work is a huge part of some clients' psychological and rehabilitation journey. This week, we have a special Guest: Suzanne, who is a rare combination of Occupational Psychologist and BI Case Manager! She helps us think about the process of preparing with a client for a return to meaningful occupation.Keywords:
Change, transition, work, brain injury, occupational psychology, vocational rehabilitation, meaningful employment, guidance, employers, enrichment, occupation, hobbies, compensation, structure, volunteering, epilepsy, social life, communication, MDT, graded return to work, Access to Work, Equality Act, reasonable adjustments, litigation, loss of earnings.
2:50 What is an occupational psychologist?
3:32 What training do they receive?
6:13 How an occupational psychologist can help someone with brain injury
9:33 Factors of value for work
12:17 Voluntary work
14:33 Who can benefit from help to get back to work
17:22 What makes a client suitable for help
19:52 Returning to the same job
22:42 Supporting employers
24:13 Improving work environments for clients
25:20 Access to Work scheme
26:25 Realistic expectations
28:47 Reasonable adjustments
29:22 Employment and the litigation process
33:23 Advice for considering a return to work for your clients
35:33 When to call in a professional for help
Quotes:
13:45 "Work is really vital for somebody’s sense of identity, to just be able to contribute and have something to get up for."
19:45 "Has your client got a gap in their life that could be filled by work?"
23:08 I always say to employers: I don’t know the first thing about engineering, so why would an engineer know the first thing about brain injury?"
Guest: Suzanne Guest, Work in Mind
Presenter: Dr Shabnam Berry-Khan, Director of PsychWorks Associates
Editor: Emily Crosby Media