Vocational Intervention Program

The Vocational Intervention Program (VIP) is a specialised employment service for people with a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in NSW.

Background – VIP1 and VIP2

VIP1

VIP1 was developed to facilitate return to employment after severe TBI, focusing on return to pre-injury employment (Fast Track) or exploring work potential (New Track).

The program was a proof of concept trial conducted at 6 of the 12 NSW Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program (BIRP) sites, in partnership with three vocational providers, over a 3-year period.

Wife helping her husband get dressed

VIP2

The VIP2 was a state-wide scale-up of the VIP1 involving all 12 BIRP sites and 20 vocational providers. Specifically, the project aims were to:

  • Improve quality of life for people with a brain injury.
  • Increase rates of employment for people with brain injury.
  • Establish a network of employment service providers working in partnership with BIRP teams under an integrated service model.
  • Establish pathways to existing funding schemes for program sustainability.

The local service partnerships developed between BIRP teams and vocational rehabilitation provider teams created referral channels, the opportunity to share information and deliver effective case coordination.

Brain injury specific resources developed (such as service protocols, assessment tools, report and formats, etc.) were shared which contributed to the development and consolidation of expertise.

The program was a client-centred and flexible approach to service delivery and provided opportunities for knowledge sharing across health, rehabilitation, disability and injury management agencies. Durable employment outcomes were achieved for participants of the program, with those involved reporting high levels of satisfaction. 

VIP – Sustainability Phase

To continue to build on the success of the program and support VIP2 as a state-wide model of best practice vocational rehabilitation, a sustainability phase of the project has now commenced. This phase runs to July 2024 and will focus on continuing to build partnerships between VIP2 providers and BIRP teams along with refinement of the tools and resources developed as part of the project.

Introducing the returning to work toolkits

As part of the VIP – Sustainability Phase of the project, the Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) has released two new online resources for returning to work after brain injury, for clients (individuals with brain injury) and employers.

The toolkits are designed as a resource to supplement the support and services that employees and employers receive from vocational rehabilitation providers and brain injury rehabilitation clinicians, and do not replace the support provided by these teams.

Both toolkits provide details about brain injury, and practical advice to support employees and employers as part of the return-to-work process. They include interviews with individuals who have lived experience in returning to work following a brain injury, as well as links to additional resources and supports.

Returning to work toolkit - Client (employees)

The Client toolkit provides information, advice and stories from people who have returned to work following a brain injury. It is designed as a supporting resource for individuals with a brain injury who may be thinking about, or are currently returning to work, either with their preinjury employer or a new employer.

Returning to work toolkit - Employers

The Employer toolkit is for employers, managers, supervisors and colleagues who may be supporting an employee with a brain injury in returning to work.

How to access the toolkits

You can find the Client and Employer toolkits by visiting the ACI website.

Community of Practice (CoP)

A Community of Practice (CoP) has been established to bring together clinicians and providers to promote ongoing collaboration. This CoP will facilitate the transition of VIP2 to a sustainable model of best practice vocational rehabilitation, independent of external funding sources. The CoP also houses a range of resources that would be helpful to providers of vocational rehabilitation, including:

  • BIRP clinician toolkit
  • DES provider toolkit
  • Vocational provider toolkit
  • Working with the NDIS resource
  • Client summary tool
  • Supporting a person with a brain injury resource.

To request access to the VIP Community of Practice site, please email Rebecca Wolfgang from the Brain Injury Network, ACI at rebecca.wolfgang@health.nsw.gov.au.

Want to know more about VIP and Community of Practice?

Visit the Agency for Clinical Innovation