If disability is limiting your capacity to secure a job, remain in paid employment or cope with the requirements of employment, then you may need more intensive employment assistance than general employment assistance. The NDIS at present describes employment-related assessment, counselling and advice as a form of support that can be used to help participants understand their strengths, overcome employment-related barriers and set suitable employment goals. Examples of employment-related assessment, counselling and advice include vocational or functional assessment, employment-related counselling, assistance with workplace adjustments and education and support for participants and their employers. According to the NDIS, services delivered by allied health professionals can be used at any point in a person’s employment journey.
What Is NDIS Employment-Related Assessment, Counselling and Advice?
NDIS employment-related assessment, counselling and advice is support delivered by allied health professionals to help participants understand how disability may affect their employment goals and workplace participation.
It can include:
- Vocational or functional assessment
- Identifying strengths and barriers to work
- Setting an appropriate work goal
- Considering workplace adjustments
- Education and support for participants and employers
- Counselling where disability has prevented someone from returning to their previous position
The purpose is not simply to help someone find a job. It can involve understanding how disability affects employment and identifying practical strategies that support participation in work. The official NDIS Guide to Employment can also provide further information about employment-related supports.
What Can an Employment-Related Assessment Look At?
An employment-related assessment can help identify a participant’s strengths, abilities and barriers to workplace participation.
Strengths and Skills
- Existing skills
- Work experience
- Interests
- Abilities
- Confidence
Functional Capacity
How disability or health-related factors may affect work tasks and participation.
Barriers to Employment
- Workplace demands
- Communication
- Executive functioning
- Physical or functional limitations
- Workplace routines
- Confidence and adjustment
Vocational Direction
Whether the participant’s goals, skills and circumstances align with a suitable type of employment.
What Does Employment-Related Counselling Involve?
Employment-related counselling can help participants work through issues that may affect their employment goals, workplace participation or return to work.
- Confidence around returning to work
- Adjusting to changes in employment
- Disability-related barriers
- Uncertainty about vocational direction
- Workplace-related concerns
- The impact of disability on previous employment
- Preparing for workplace participation
The NDIS specifically identifies counselling as relevant where a person’s disability has prevented them from returning to their previous position. Skipping the broader NDIS Counselling discussion here — this article is specifically focused on employment-related counselling.
How Can Employment-Related Support Help With Workplace Adjustments?
Employment-related assessment, counselling and advice can help identify practical adjustments that may support a participant’s workplace participation.
- Work processes
- Workplace environment
- Tasks
- Communication methods
- Work routines
- Tools or equipment where relevant
The aim is to identify practical changes that may help a participant perform their role and participate more effectively at work.
Who Might Need Employment-Related Assessment or Counselling?
This support may be relevant for an NDIS participant who:
- Has limited work experience
- Is preparing for their first job
- Is returning to work after disability-related changes
- Needs to change their career or work pathway
- Is experiencing disability-related difficulties at work
- Needs workplace adjustments
- Is working towards a realistic employment goal
- Wants to understand their vocational strengths and barriers
The level of support should reflect where the participant is in their employment journey and their individual employment goals.
How Does This Support Relate to an NDIS Employment Goal?
Employment-related support can connect directly with a participant’s employment goal by helping identify strengths, barriers and practical strategies. Employment goal → assessment and counselling → identify strengths and barriers → develop appropriate strategies → work towards employment participation. The NDIS employment-goals guidance encourages participants to consider their current stage, skills, preferred work and the supports they may need. For more information, see how to set employment goals
Who Provides NDIS Employment-Related Assessment and Counselling?
The NDIS states that employment-related assessment, counselling and advice are delivered by allied health professionals. The appropriate professional can depend on the participant’s needs and the type of assessment or support required. Janalli Services provides employment-focused rehabilitation counselling through Matthew Kyte, a Rehabilitation Counsellor and Vocational Specialist.You can learn more about NDIS rehabilitation counselling.
Is Employment-Related Assessment the Same as a Regular Employment Service?
No. Employment-related assessment, counselling and advice can focus on disability-related barriers, functional considerations, vocational goals and workplace needs.
Other employment services may focus more on:
- Finding vacancies
- Job matching
- Recruitment
- Employment placement
- Ongoing employment assistance
Does NDIS Funding Automatically Cover Employment-Related Assessment and Counselling?
No. Being described by the NDIS as an employment-related support does not mean every participant automatically has funding for every type of assessment or counselling. The support needs to be appropriate to the participant and meet the relevant NDIS funding requirements. Funding depends on the participant’s individual circumstances and needs. For more information, see the official NDIS funding criteria
Employment-Focused Rehabilitation Counselling with Janalli Services
Janalli Services provides rehabilitation counselling and vocational support for NDIS participants working towards employment and workplace goals. Matthew Kyte, Rehabilitation Counsellor and Vocational Specialist, can support participants with employment-related assessment, vocational goals, workplace readiness, workplace adjustments and strategies for sustainable workplace participation. Services are available in Logan and Southeast Queensland, with Telehealth available where appropriate.
Learn more about NDIS Rehabilitation Counselling
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about NDIS employment-related assessment, counselling and advice.
1. What is NDIS employment-related assessment, counselling and advice?
NDIS employment-related assessment, counselling and advice can help participants understand their strengths, identify employment barriers, develop work goals and consider workplace adjustments. It can include vocational or functional assessment and employment-related counselling delivered by allied health professionals.
2. Can the NDIS fund employment-related counselling?
Employment-related counselling is recognised in current NDIS employment guidance as support for disability-related barriers to employment. Whether it is funded depends on the participant’s individual circumstances and relevant NDIS funding requirements.
3. What does an NDIS vocational assessment look at?
A vocational assessment can help identify a participant’s strengths, skills, interests, barriers and employment goals. It may also consider functional factors that affect workplace participation.
4. Can an NDIS assessment help identify workplace adjustments?
Yes. Employment-related assessment can help identify barriers and consider practical changes to work processes or the workplace that may support participation.
5. Can employment-related counselling help me return to work?
Yes. It may help participants address disability-related barriers affecting their return to work. The NDIS specifically identifies counselling where disability has prevented someone from returning to their previous position.
Need Help With an Employment or Vocational Goal?
If disability is affecting your ability to prepare for work, return to employment or manage workplace demands, employment-focused rehabilitation counselling may help you understand your options and work towards an appropriate vocational goal.
Call us today on 0403-258-258
Email us at: info@janalliservices.com.au
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