The VRA is leading the professional delivery of effective vocational rehabilitation.
Wellness Policy Toolkit: Physical Activity takes a deep dive into physical activity as a domain of wellness policy.
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?"
With 17 successful years of leading the way in improving workforce health, wellbeing and culture.
We're delighted to announce the winners in the 2022 VR Awards.
On the eve of the 2022 Vocational Rehabilitation Awards we caught up with our 2021 Practitioner of the Year Maria Morris, to find out about her experience.
Thanks to everyone who took part in the 2022 Awards for their time and effort! The judges have deliberated and the finalists have been selected.
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.
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.
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, 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.
A new £7.6 million government initiative has been launched to help over 2,000 adults with learning disabilities and autism move into work.
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
Today, Friday 17 June, we're recognising Employability Day by sharing some great free resources from VRA member RNIB.
Congratulations to Tesco who have been recognised as a Visibly Better Employer.
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.
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.
The Government has published Local Supported Employment: guidance for local authorities (23 May 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 according to the latest ONS (Office for National Statistics) on 17 May.
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.
The VRA is one of 23 organisations that have joined BACP in calling for mental health to be urgently added into the Public Inquiry into COVID-19 calling inquiry’s remit.
Employment Minister Mims Davies has praised efforts by employers and specialist service companies to bring more workers excluded by disability and mental health issues into employment.
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.
It is important that Ukrainians arriving in UK have support with their work needs.
The National Guideline Alliance (NGA), on behalf of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
The Royal Society for Public Health is producing a resource for Allied Health Professionals, showcasing their role in supporting people’s health in work.
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.
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.
We asked Mandy Whalley, Associate Specialist Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist at Think Therapy 1st to tell us about the Empowerment Project.
I am delighted to be able to advise you that following the recent election, I have now taken up the post of Chair of the VRA.
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
We do hope you will be attending our AGM and CPD webinar at midday on Tuesday 25th. Please book your place here.
The VRA AGM is taking place at midday on Tuesday 25th January 2022 as part of an extended session for our monthly CPD webinar.
Thanks to everyone who took part in the 2021 Vocational Rehabilitation Awards and we are delighted to announce our winners.
We received some great entries for the 2021 Vocational Rehabilitation Awards and the judges had a real challenge arriving at our finalists.
We asked Alan who has recently become a trustee of the VRA, to tell us a bit more about himself and his work. Find out more about becoming a trustee here.
Fatigue is a common symptom of long-covid and post-viral syndrome (PVS) more generally.
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.
Solicitor Sabrina Lawlor in conversation with VRA Chair, Deborah Edwards.
VRA members receive discounts on two current training opportunities:
As the end of this calendar year is approaching, it is the right time for each of our members to consider their commitments for 2022.
A survey from the VRA - Click HERE to begin the survey.Why are we looking at gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, and health status in the VR community?
One of the Canadian members supporting the international VR network the VRA is part of is the Work Wellness Institute.
The VRA have been involved in setting up an international vocational rehabilitation network.
I am an OT who is part of the chronic pain management team at the Walton Centre in Liverpool.
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)?
Social businessman and VRA member Dan Williams of Visualise Training and Consultancy helps people with visual impairments retain their employment rather than being signed off from work.
If you were unable to attend our recent online conference Emerging Insights you can now purchase access to the recordings of the event.
You can find some great VR-related opportunities on our vacancy page here.
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’.
VRA member Lisa Whittleton of Illuminate VR Services Ltd joined the panel at a recent event for Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire CIPD branches on mental wellbeing in the workplace.
Insurance Post has published an article about the VRA's recent roundtable on long covid and work.
A new e-learning course to develop knowledge of all aspects of disability has been designed and launched by VRA member Dan Williams of Visualise Training and Consultancy.
This is a recording of the June 2021 presentation in which VRA Chair Deborah Edwards updated members on the development of the Institute of Registered Case Managers.
We asked Joy Reymond VRA Trustee and the VRA's representative on the Council for Work and Health to tell us more about their work.
There is no doubt that living and working through a pandemic has changed the landscape of rehabilitation and vocational support, but when is the right time to stop reflecting and start using the way we adapted
Apart from the needs of those with profound eating/swallowing issues, nutrition was not an important part of my professional life apart from vitamin D.
Student members of the VRA are able to apply for a free place at our event Emerging Insights into Vocational Rehabilitation.
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.
The VRA is always keen to support researchers and so is sharing details of this survey.
Sickness absence costs UK businesses approximately £9 billion per year
All those working within vocational rehabilitation on the island of Ireland or with links to Irish VR are welcome to join our network.
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.
According to Aon’s UK Benefits & Trends Survey, 86% of employers said they prioritised employee communications as a result of the pandemic.
The Institute of Registered Case Managers (IRCM)
VRA Chair Deborah Edwards shares the idea behind the new 'Talking VR' video series from the 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.
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
A research team based at the University of Derby and University of Huddersfield is conducting an online survey to investigate.
Discover Practitioners for specialist VR services
A list of Practitioners to help you with your work. We are regularly adding new verified Practitioners to the site!
Up to date resources for your business
Explore the most recent tips and information aids for you or your organisation from individual guides to dealing with staff.
Information & guides for Individuals
Informative documents/guides to help you support, advice, gain or maintain employment.
Being a VRA member does not just open the door to exciting opportunities in your career development. It also gives you access to a first-class range of services designed to support you in your professional life.
Looking for help with Career Direction, Assessment, Health or VR Management? Use our directory to find a Practitioner to meet your specific needs today!