Returning to Work Following Complex Physical and Cognitive Injury

Returning to Work Following Complex Physical and Cognitive Injury

Overview

A grounds maintenance worker sustained multiple orthopaedic injuries following an accident. During rehabilitation, cognitive difficulties also became increasingly apparent, affecting planning, organisation, concentration and self-management. These challenges significantly impacted both everyday life and confidence about returning to work.

The Challenge

The client had lost confidence, independence and their sense of identity following prolonged absence from work. Neither the client nor the employer believed returning to the previous role would be possible.

Assessment

A comprehensive vocational rehabilitation assessment incorporated neuro behavioural screening, functional pain assessment, workplace analysis and observation of functional performance. Close collaboration between occupational therapy, physiotherapy, the case manager and the employer provided a detailed understanding of the client's physical, cognitive and workplace needs.

Vocational Rehabilitation in Action

The intervention centred around a structured Job Demands Analysis, enabling rehabilitation to be directly linked to the real demands of the client's role.

Regular workplace reviews ensured work duties were introduced gradually while monitoring physical, cognitive and psychological capacity. Employer meetings evolved from every four weeks to every eight weeks as confidence increased and progress became established.

Eight weeks after assessment, the client began a graded return to work consisting of two four-hour shifts each week alongside ongoing physiotherapy. Working hours increased steadily over the following six months.

An Access to Work grant funded workplace support, allowing awork buddy to assist the client without creating additional cost for the employer.

Outcome

The client successfully returned to work within eight weeks of assessment and gradually increased to a sustained 30-hour working week.

All recommended workplace adjustments were implemented, three years of Access to Work funding was secured and employment has been maintained with appropriate ongoing support.

Key Learning

Early employer engagement, structured job analysis and coordinated multidisciplinary support enabled rehabilitation to become part of the return-to-work process rather than something completed before work resumed.

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Everyday Living Therapy

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