Mental Health Vocational Rehabilitation: An Overview of Occupational Therapy Service Provision in Northern Ireland

Abstract

The job clinic model was established in Northern Ireland in 1992. It was initiated by mental health occupational therapists and represented an interagency model of vocational rehabilitation (McCrum et al 1997). Occupational therapy vocational practice has evolved significantly since then, with a regional variation in service delivery, which necessitated review. There was a recognition that practice needed to be examined to develop services in a unified professional way.

This paper gives an overview of occupational therapy mental health vocational service provision in Northern Ireland. The authors sought information from 13 regional trusts, which demonstrated that vocational work is a very active part of occupational therapy provision but that there are also opportunities to develop services based on current evidence. This paper makes recommendations and highlights the action required to take forward occupational therapy vocational rehabilitation in Northern Ireland.