Forensic Forum - Paper Session.

“Establishing a work-based learning programme: vocational rehabilitation and forensic learning disabilities.”

Smith A, Petty M, Outhgton I, Alexander RT. Partnerships in Care, Learning Disabilities Services.

Some top tips which I gathered from this paper session!

• Develop as life like a work environment as possible.
• Enable social and life skills.
• Work opportunities need to be meaningful and relevant to them in order to be of relevance.
• Increase self esteem and confidence by promoting independence and autonomy.
• Accompany work skills with educational skills for example reading, writing and numeracy.
• Patient reflection is important in order to help them to identify how they have improved and what skills they have.
• Always need to consider risk management. (Individual and environmental risk assessment.)

The authors of this paper session have also published a journal article in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy. The reference for it is here if you are interested in reading it:

Smith A, Petty M, Oughton I and Alexander R (2010) "Establishing a work-based learning programme: vocational rehabilitation in a forensic learning disability setting." British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 73(9) pp. 431-436.