Good Practice: Individual Rehabilitation Plan

Individual Rehabilitation Plan

Organisation    University Rehabilitation Institute
Country Slovenia
Short description The Individual rehabilitation plan as a standard and proposed prescribed form is part of the Standards of vocational rehabilitation services, which has been confirmed also by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Republic of Slovenia. 

Within the individual rehabilitation plan, case manager and service user in vocational/occupational rehabilitation program, through mutual cooperation together:

- Set individual goals for vocational / occupational rehabilitation, according to the user's individual situation and needs;

- Monitor and adjust activities in the process of vocational/occupational rehabilitation according to the special needs of service user;

- Evaluate the process of vocational/occupational rehabilitation and outcomes. 
Co-productive activities Professional Team/case manager and the user at the beginning of the vocational rehabilitation process, together define the content of the IRN. With the IRN, they together define:
  • The desired results of the program and long-term goals,
  • Short-term goals needed to achieve long-term goals / desired results,
  • The required services or activities to achieve short-term goals,
  • Methods and techniques to achieve the objectives,
  • The timeframe expected for the realization of short-term and long-term goals,
  • Responsible persons and their duty to carry out the activities specified in IRN. 

Together, they are defining the process of vocational rehabilitation and together they are monitoring and evaluating the process. 

IRN represents the starting point and the individual planning tool, as well as tool for the adjustment of the rehabilitation process if needed. It requires user-centred approach in the process of the vocational / occupational rehabilitation. The service user is treated as an equal member in the process of rehabilitation in order to encourage his motivation, participation and his co-responsibility. The focus is set on the active role of the user. Recording and depending of the rehabilitation process, the IRN can be amended and supplemented. IRN allows the creation of a more individualized goals and rehabilitation activities according to the user’s individual needs and specific situation. Short-term objectives / actions / acalso for taking into account the factors and circumstances that have changed since the diagnostic assessment evaluation. 

Co-production is integrated with the individual treatment of the service user. IRN is signed by users and case manager. Service user and case manager together identify different methods and techniques to achieve short-term and long term goals. Together they are also monitoring and evaluation the process of the activities, set with the IRN. The findings of the evaluation are recorded in interim reports. 
Underlying theories The use of co-productive activities is based on individual needs and preferences of service users, identified in the context of the evaluation of rehabilitation treatment. By promoting the active role of the user in the process of vocational/occupational rehabilitation, the user is, depending on the wishes/needs/expectations/constraints/problems/difficulties, contributing in creating and planning activities of the rehabilitation process (individual / group work, participation groups, training in specific job with an employer, ...).
Direct impact  The main achievement is reflected in the overall planning of the rehabilitation process, in defining common needs, progress and outcomes at the individual level.

Users’ participation is measured in different ways, among which are the questionnaires on internal power Vrij Baan (individual and group level) and Quolis (quality of life) are both used to measure the level of user participation. We also monitor the satisfaction of the users with yearly surveys. 

For example, in the questionnaire, there are questions like:
    " Did you have enough opportunities for participation and influence on the content of the program?”
    ” Did you at the end of the program jointly develop plans for the future?"
    ” Have you been informed about the process and goals at the beginning of the VR?”
    ” Did the professionals treat you correctly and with due respect? ”
    “Have you been informed about the process and goals at the beginning of the VR?”
Conclusions and results Challenges include:
  • Stereotypes and prejudices regarding the employment of disabled persons
  • Rapid technological changes and their adaptations
  • Upward trend in disability of mental health problems
  • Social and labour exclusion
  • Upward trend in social distress
  • Complex individual situations and difficulties providing social care for users
  • Lack of user’s motivation
Despite those many challenges, continuous improvement is one of the basic principles defined by the Standards of employment rehabilitation and as such completely integrated into the system of practice in Vocational rehabilitation Center at URI SOČA. The Center for Vocational Rehabilitation (CVR) is proactive in meeting the demands of the market by efficient use of resources and by expanding and enhancing the programs as well as by the use of research and development to implement innovations. It is committed to the professional development of its employees and to their learning, it strives for efficient communication and marketing, it appreciates feedback by its users, clients/financers and interested parties, and it runs the systems for continuous improvement of quality.
Duration
and Milestones 		The Individual Rehabilitation Plan (IRN) has been used for many years and it is expected to be used for many others.

Before 2009, each provider of vocational rehabilitation has used different forms of Individual Rehabilitation Plan. In 2009, the working group of the Development Centre for Vocational rehabilitation has defined Individual Rehabilitation Plan as a standard for the vocational rehabilitation services. The Vocational rehabilitation center was also part of the working group. Afterwards, the working group has reviewed different individual patterns of IRN (different patterns/form of IRN that service providers used in the practice). In 2012 the common form of Individual rehabilitation plan was agreed upon.   
Contact/More information Vocational rehabilitation Center, Business manager - Jasmina Plavsic: jasmina.plavsic@ir-rs.si