A structured rehabilitation programme for people whose predominant symptoms are fatigue and pain, delivered one-to-one. The end goal is a sustained return to work or staying in work where someone is struggling.
The Work-Focussed Functional Rehabilitation Programme (WFRP) supports individuals with persistent fatigue, pain and post-viral syndromes. This includes post-COVID-19 syndrome (long COVID). Symptoms will be limiting their daily activities, including their ability to work. The programme suits individuals who are motivated to improve their level of function in daily activity, and their end-goal should be return to work, or sustained work engagement if they are already at work but having difficulty.
The WFRP is delivered on a one-to-one basis. It comprises eight one-hour remote sessions. The first six sessions focus on supporting health management and ability to engage in daily activities and regular routines which supports the individual's progress towards work readiness by helping them build stamina and confidence. The final two sessions are completed when the individual achieves work readiness. The programme is delivered by occupational therapists.
Referrals come from insurers, insurance brokers, occupational health providers and employers. Typical cases involve an absent employee whose fatigue is the main barrier to returning to work, or someone still at work but finding it hard to cope with their normal hours and duties.
The programme suits individuals who are motivated to improve their level of function in daily activity, with an end goal of returning to work or sustaining work engagement.
Early sessions of the WFRP cover how energy works, the benefits of relaxation, and analysis of the individual's own activity levels and behaviours. Later sessions address energy conservation and work simplification using the five key Ps (prioritising, planning, preparation, pacing and posture), goal setting, managing setbacks and preparing for work. The final Healthy Work Balance sessions plan the return to work itself and produce a personalised Energy Recovery Plan and Workplace Strategy Plan. Where someone is not yet work ready, the programme initially runs to six sessions focused on health management and daily activity, with home-based work preparation introduced where appropriate to build stamina and confidence. The Healthy Work Balance sessions complete once the individual has progressed to work readiness. Where the individual is already work ready, all eight sessions run consecutively. Modules can also be delivered separately, either within case management directed by a vocational rehabilitation consultant or as a one-off referral.
The referrer receives a programme summary upon closure of the programme, detailing the participant's engagement with each module, including the outcome of relevant clinical scores and any ongoing recommendations.
The programme aims to improve function and move the individual towards work readiness. The success of the WFRP is measured in outcomes.
Employers
The person showed clear improvement in cognitive stamina and day-to-day work capability through the programme, and sustained their return to work once the phased plan was complete.
Read the case studyThrough the phased return to work, I feel more confident and equipped to handle the challenges ahead.
Individual supported back to work
The programme suits conditions where fatigue and pain are the predominant symptoms, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, post-COVID syndrome, cancer, and neurological and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Referral to the WFRP is not appropriate where surgery is pending, and individuals should be motivated to improve their function with an end goal of returning to or sustaining work.
Yes. The WFRP can be delivered as separate modules for individuals who are at work but experiencing difficulty. The Relaxation and Healthy Work Balance modules build personal resilience to help sustain work, and can be arranged as a one-off referral or as part of case management directed by a vocational rehabilitation consultant.
Steps
Our functional assessments give a claim or case an objective baseline: functional, cognitive, psychological and workplace evaluations that stand up to scrutiny.
Explore functional assessmentsWhether it is one referral or a programme of work, start with a conversation.