Stroke Vocational Rehabilitation Service

After a stroke, our vocational rehabilitation service can support you to get back to work, stay in work, or continue your studies.

Patient leaflet

How we can help

We help people who have had a stroke get back to work or study.

A stroke can affect how you move, think, communicate, and feel. These changes can make work or study more difficult.

We will talk with you about the support you need. We can also work with your employer, school, college, or university to help you reach your goals.

Support is available in one-to-one and group sessions.

The number of sessions and how often they take place will depend on your needs.

Referral

Accept referrals from healthcare professionals, voluntary organisations and self-referrals.

Self referral form
Healthcare professional referral form

Acceptance Criteria

• Confirmed diagnosis of stroke within the last 12 months, with the individual having been managed on a stroke pathway
• Registered with a GP within the Hertfordshire and West Essex region
• Aged 18 years or over (patients aged 16–18 may be considered on a case-by-case basis where needs cannot be met by alternative services)
• Able to access one of the three service bases across Hertfordshire and West Essex (Harpenden Memorial Hospital, Harpenden; Danesbury Neurological Centre, Welwyn; or St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping). Needs may also be supported virtually
• Demonstrates realistic goals and motivation to return to work. Anticipating a return to existing role within six months of referral with support.
• May have already returned to work but requires support to maintain or increase hours and/or responsibilities
• Was in employment, education, or volunteering prior to stroke and has a role to which they intend to return

Exclusion Criteria

• Needs can be fully met by existing rehabilitation provision within current stroke services
• Requires support with job seeking rather than returning to an existing role
• Barriers to returning to work are not related to the impact of stroke

Support

ACAS Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

Provide employers and employees free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice – self referral

Access to Work

Government run scheme to keep people in work with support including;

• Travel support including taxi fares to/ from work
• Assessment and funding for specialist equipment such as office equipment, technological and specialist wheelchairs
• Mental health support including 1:1 counselling

Includes – Anyone self employed or in part time or full time paid employment. Excludes civil servants.

People can self refer.

Disability Law Service

Offer free legal support with;

• Benefit advice
• Housing concerns
• Workplace rights including; reasonable adjustments, harassment, discrimination in employment matters

Telephone: 0207 791 9800

Jobcentre Plus

They support people to find work or to gain new skills for a job. They can help with work preparation, recruitment, interview coaching and confidence building.

The Work and Health Programme

They can support people to re enter work and aims to;

• Identify employment needs
• Match skills to work that’s available
• Access training to help find work

Citizens Advice

Citizens advice can help with benefit advice for individuals who are unable to work. They offer free, confidential, impartial advice on benefits, including what you are entitled to and how to claim.

Volunteering

Volunteering can be helpful if trying to get back into work, or if the individual is no longer able to work in a full time capacity.

“Do it” is an online employee engagement platform, that connects people with the UK’s largest marketplace or volunteering opportunities.