Is Vocational Rehabilitation a Transition to Recovery?

This study explored the recovery experiences from being on a vocational rehabilitation scheme for service users with severe and enduring mental health problems. This was the first phase of a vocational rehabilitation service review and development. Two associate researchers/ service users were integral to the study and increased its validity. A qualitative research method was taken, using a semi-structured interview. Two main themes emerged: moving on and being on the scheme. The findings were that transitional vocational rehabilitation schemes could have a positive effect on the vocational status, quality of life and mental health of service users with severe and enduring mental health problems given the right environment. It was recommended that the vocational rehabilitation scheme should continue, whilst support for service users and interagency working alongside the scheme warranted further investigation. Following the study, the scheme expanded to become an employment service that extends from the public to the independent sector and offers a wider range of vocational rehabilitation schemes within it.