Industry News

Here at the VRA work really is our business. In the February 2023 edition of the OT News we ask the question "Work - is it really everyone's business?"

Health and Wellbeing @ Work

March 8, 2023

With 17 successful years of leading the way in improving workforce health, wellbeing and culture.

The Commission on the Future of Employment Support

November 10, 2022

The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) has launched the Commission on the Future of Employment Support to develop evidence-led proposals for reform of our system of employment support and services.

Support with Employee Health and Disability service

October 20, 2022

Thousands of businesses across the UK will benefit from a new £6.4 million online service to help employers better support disabled people and those with health conditions in the workplace.

What jobs do blind people do?

October 13, 2022

People with sight loss succeed in a wide variety of jobs across almost all employment sectors. Just like everyone else, it comes down to whether they have the training, skills and experience.

Hearing loss needn’t mean job loss

September 29, 2022

Hearing loss, deafness and/or tinnitus affect 12 million UK people so being fully aware and catering for the requirements of any staff members with additional needs is essential for inclusive employers.

£7.6 million to help 2,000 adults with autism into work

August 25, 2022

A new £7.6 million government initiative has been launched to help over 2,000 adults with learning disabilities and autism move into work.

The IGLOo: Sickness absence and sustainable return to work pilot study

June 20, 2022

Returning people back to work after sickness absence and enabling them to stay at work is challenging, especially where the person is experiencing mental ill health – either as a primary reason for absence or a

Employability Day: Free e-learning from RNIB

June 16, 2022

Today, Friday 17 June, we're recognising Employability Day by sharing some great free resources from VRA member RNIB.

Tesco announced as a Visibly Better Employer

June 16, 2022

Congratulations to Tesco who have been recognised as a Visibly Better Employer.

More healthcare professionals given powers to certify fit notes

June 10, 2022

From 1 July 2022 nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and physiotherapists will all be able to legally certify fit notes – something that at present only doctors can do.

Breaking Down Barriers

June 6, 2022

On the 24th May, we at the VRA held our annual Spring Conference. We decided to take a different tack for our theme this year.

Local Supported Employment

May 23, 2022

The Government has published Local Supported Employment: guidance for local authorities (23 May 2022).

Statutory Sick Pay reform could boost UK economy by £3.9bn

May 19, 2022

The UK economy could get a £3.9bn boost over the next five years if the government reforms the 40-year-old Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) system, a landmark report from Unum UK, claims.

Over one million more disabled people are in employment compared to five years ago

May 18, 2022

Over one million more disabled people are in employment compared to five years ago according to the latest ONS (Office for National Statistics) on 17 May.

Mental health should be included in the Covid-19 public enquiry according to its Chair

May 12, 2022

Today the Chair of the COVID-19 public inquiry Baroness Heather Hallett, has written to the Prime Minister with recommendations to expand the terms of reference.

Inspiring future OTs towards Vocational Rehabilitation

March 28, 2022

On February 22nd myself, trustee Emma Drinkwater and member of the VRA Jo Vallom-Smith got together via teams and delivered a talk to Northampton University Occupational Therapy Society.

Work related support for people who have been displaced from Ukraine

March 11, 2022

It is important that Ukrainians arriving in UK have support with their work needs.

Looking for experts in Rehabilitation for Chronic Neurological Disorders

March 2, 2022

The National Guideline Alliance (NGA), on behalf of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Allied Health Professionals supporting people’s health in work

February 18, 2022

The Royal Society for Public Health is producing a resource for Allied Health Professionals, showcasing their role in supporting people’s health in work.

Turning Tragedy into Victory Using Smart Vocational Rehabilitation

February 10, 2022

We asked Maria Morris, who in December was named VR Practitioner of 2021 at the VR Awards to tell us a little more about her work.

RNIB’s Work Based Assessment offers specialist recommendations for Blind and Partially Sighted Workers

February 10, 2022

With one in four registered blind or partially sighted people of working age being unemployed (RNIB, 2020), the difficulties faced finding or remaining in work can be incredibly challenging.

The Empowerment Project

February 9, 2022

We asked Mandy Whalley, Associate Specialist Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist at Think Therapy 1st to tell us about the Empowerment Project.

50% of unemployed men aged 50+ are out of work for at least a year

February 7, 2022

There were nearly 200,000 men aged 50 and older out of work between September and November 2021 – an increase of 24% in two years – and 50% of them were unemployed for at least a year, according to new analysis

Managing Long-Covid and Sleep

November 23, 2021

‍Fatigue is a common symptom of long-covid and post-viral syndrome (PVS) more generally.

Case Management Standards Consultation: Your input is needed!

November 22, 2021

The Institute of Registered Case Managers is consulting on draft standards and we are keen to ensure that vocational practitioners have the opportunity to contribute to this important work.

Promoting VR to AHP Students

July 28, 2021

Are you a student on an allied health professional training course? Want to know more about a great way to use you OT skills in Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)?

Reflections of a rehabilitation professional: A pain in the neck

July 8, 2021

We have all used the expression “a pain in the neck” on occasions. Google describes this as ‘someone or something that is annoying or difficult to deal with’.

Rehabilitation after critical illness: vocational rehabilitation can begin in critical care

April 29, 2021

This is a copy of a rapid response published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). It was written by Dr Andrew Frank VRA Trustee and past Chair.

Supporting organisations to manage long term sickness

April 15, 2021

Sickness absence costs UK businesses approximately £9 billion per year

VRA's Irish Network: assistive technology that is available / used by people with dyslexia

April 13, 2021

All those working within vocational rehabilitation on the island of Ireland or with links to Irish VR are welcome to join our network.

Reflections of a Rehabilitation Professional: Research 4 - Quantitative Research

April 12, 2021

Throughout my early years in clinical research, I was fortunate to work with highly experienced researchers from the Medical Research Council and so I didn’t have to think too much about research methodology.

Employers prioritised employee mental health and communications as a result of COVID-19

March 7, 2021

According to Aon’s UK Benefits & Trends Survey, 86% of employers said they prioritised employee communications as a result of the pandemic.

Project Manager for IRCM

February 22, 2021

The Institute of Registered Case Managers (IRCM)

Reflections of a rehabilitation professional: research 3 – qualitative research

February 10, 2021

VRA

Firstly, a big thank you to the VRA member who wrote to me saying that she had changed her feedback questionnaire in the light of my last reflection.

National Strategy for Disabled People

February 7, 2021

The Disability Unit in the Cabinet Office is working with government colleagues, disabled people, disabled people’s organisations, charities and businesses to develop and deliver a National Strategy for Disable

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