Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-jbqgn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-23T07:05:38.582Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Assessment Plus Program: An Alternative Approach to the Vocational Assessment Process

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2015

Margaret E. Black  and
Dianna T. Kenny
Margaret E. Black*
Affiliation:
Vocational Assessments Plus Pty Ltd
Dianna T. Kenny
Affiliation:
The University of Sydney
*
Vocational Assessments Plus, PO Box 847, Marouba NSW 2035, Australia. Email: margaretblack@bigpond.com
Get access

Abstract

Commonwealth Rehabilitation Services (CRS) Australia provides vocational assessment services to a client group whose rehabilitation is funded by Family and Community Services. Currently, the assessment of client skills, abilities and needs is based on the case management model. This model was expanded in the Assessment Plus study with the addition of a four-week assessment schedule and a series of educational group sessions. The program was conducted by a multi-disciplinary team at CRS Australia's Maroubra Unit, NSW. Forty-six CRS clients meeting inclusionary criteria formed the subject group for the study. Data was collected for the first eight months following implementation of the Assessment Plus program. The outcomes for study participants were compared with a matched group of 46 clients referred for assessment during the same period in 1999 prior to the implementation of Assessment Plus. The results of the study program showed a statistically significant increase in employment outcomes in the Assessment Plus group, with 12 (26%) clients recorded in employment compared with 3 (6%) in the control group. There was also an improvement in service delivery factors. These included a shorter assessment phase, an increase in the number of vocational goals identified and required reports filed. The results suggest that providing a time-based assessment framework plus intensive client involvement and participation improves vocational outcomes and service delivery.

Type
Articles
Information
The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling , Volume 7 , Issue 2 , 2001 , pp. 74 - 84
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Buys, N. & Kendall, E. (1998). Stress and burnout among rehabilitation counsellors within the context of insurance-based rehabilitation: An institutional-level analysis. Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling, 4(1), 1–12.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Collinson, C., Flett, R., Handy, J., Brook, J. & Alpass, F. (2000). Job satisfaction in rehabilitation case managers: The role of organisational commitment and climate, cccupational self efficacy, and perceived competencies. Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling, 6(2), 67–77.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Enright, M. (1997). The impact of short term career development program on people with disabilities. Rehabilitation Counselling Bulletin, 40(4), 285–300.Google Scholar
Fry, R. & Harrand, G. (1992). Vocational evaluation as a career. American Rehabilitation, Summer edition, 28–30.Google Scholar
Hatfield, A.B. (1989). Serving the unserved in community rehabilitation programs. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal, 13(2), 71–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Henderson, G. & Bryan, W.V. (1984). Psychosocial aspects of disability. Illinois: Charles Thomas.Google Scholar
Hershenson, D. & Szymanski, E. (1992). Career development of people with disabilities. In Parker, R.M. & Szymanski, E.M. (Eds), Rehabilitation counseling: Basics and beyond. (2nd edition, 273–303). Austin: Pro-Ed.Google Scholar
Kirschenbaum, A. (1999). The organization of vocational rehabilitation: The structure of success. International Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation Research, 22, 215–225CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Koch, L.C.Williams, C.L. & Rumrill, P.D. (1998). Increasing client involvement in vocational rehabilitation: An expectations-based approach to assessment and planning. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation, 10, 211–218.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lightner, J. (1994). Vocational evaluation and assessment in the public rehabilitation sector: Trends, changes and interdisciplinary approach. Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Bulletin, Winter, 133–135.Google Scholar
Power, P.W. (1991). A guide to vocational assessment. Texas: Pro-ed.Google Scholar
Power, P.W. & McKenna, M. (1994) Rehabilitation counseling: A perspective on an inter-disciplinary approach to vocational evaluation and assessment. Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Bulletin, Winter, 128–132.Google Scholar
Rappaport, A., Wallington, L. & Fulop, A. (1999). Outcome of a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation programme for CFS using vocational measures. The Clinical and Scientific Basis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: From Myth Towards Management. Proceedings at Sydney '98 International Conference. (Editor. Roberts, T.K.).Google Scholar
Reid, C. (1997). Rehablitation client assessment. Rehabilitation Education, 11 (3), 211–219.Google Scholar
Rumrill, P.D.Koch, L.C. & Harris, E.J. (1998). Future trends in assessment and planning: Priorities for vocational rehabilitation in the 21st century. Work, A Journal of Assessment, Prevention and Rehabilitation, 10, 271–278.Google Scholar
Scroggin, C., Kosciulek, J.F.Sweiven, K.A. & Enright, M.S. (1999). Impact of situational assessment on the career self-efficacy of people with disabilities. Vocational, Evaluation and Work Adjustment Journal, 32(2), 98–07.Google Scholar
Took, M. (1991). The way back. Rehabilitation Network, Summer, 15–17.Google Scholar
Walker, M. L. & Wiegmann, S.M. (1995). The future of rehabilitation counselling: Can we adapt to change? Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling, 1(1), 13–22.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vander Kolk, C.J. (1995). Future methods and practice in vocational assessment. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 26(2), 45–50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar