This leaflet answers common questions about vocational rehabilitation. If you would like further information, or have any worries, please do not hesitate to ask your occupational therapist.

What is vocational rehabilitation?

Vocational rehabilitation is the process used to help individuals overcome the barriers they face when:

  1. Maintaining work roles
  2. Returning to work from a period of sick leave
  3. Requesting modified work roles
  4. Considering medical retirement
  5. Exploring career changes after illness

This process involves assessing your symptoms to see if you are capable of working.

How can vocational rehabilitation help?

We are a specialist service led by occupational therapists that offers support to people whose long Covid-19 symptoms are impacting on their work.

What our service can offer

  1. Assessments and recommendations in relation to your work activities.

  2. Supporting you to make important decisions about returning to, remaining in, or changing work and/or withdrawing from work.

  3. Co-ordination of individual specialist rehabilitation programmes which are designed to educate, support, and advise on employment issues.

  4. Support to access relevant vocational support resources, e.g., Access to Work & Disability Employment Advisors.
  5. Work site visits, joint meetings with employers and work recommendation reports.
  6. One-to-one sessions that closely explore your individual needs as part of the assessment process.

The service is confidential. No contact will be made with your employer without your consent.

The vocational rehabilitation service may also refer you to healthcare professionals in long covid services or other local community therapy services which may include:

  1. Physiotherapists
  2. Clinical neuropsychologist
  3. Rehabilitation assistants
  4. Speech and language therapists

How do I get an appointment?

After your referral is accepted by the service, you will receive a telephone call from a member of the therapy team to ask you some questions about your situation. They will organise an assessment appointment for you with an occupational therapist.

How can I be referred for vocational rehabilitation?

Your GP or another healthcare professional can refer you for vocational rehabilitation. We also accept self-referrals.

Referrals are considered for people who have:

  1. Long covid Symptoms
  2. GP in North Central London
  3. Difficulties in returning to or maintaining current paid / unpaid/ voluntary work activities.

Covid is recognised as symptoms that persist for more than 12 weeks after initial diagnosis. Please speak with your GP about other support available.