Able to Work?

Abstract

Occupational therapists have traditionally included work assessments and resettlement in their holistic approach to disabled workers. In Britain, a second approach to the evaluation of disabled workers was developed outside the National Health Service (NHS), within the present system of Employment Rehabilitation Centres (ERCs). Disabled workers may receive assessment and resettlement services within either or both these systems but the information is not shared between them. The process for deciding whether or not and within which system a disabled person should receive a work assessment and resettlement programme is complicated by several factors. A literature review of the influence of the early development of work assessments and resettlement within occupational therapy and ERCs and a summary of a pilot study serves as a basis for presenting some of the problems and raising further questions about the role identity of and communication between the two professional groups involved — Occupational therapists and the staff of ERCs.