Case Studies
The following case studies have been provided by individuals who have attended a Job Capacity Assessment. They illustrate how a Job Capacity Assessment can help connect individuals with the right service.
CAROL**
Carol** had a Job Capacity Assessment as part of her Disability Support Pension review. After talking with the assessor, Carol decided that she did not want to be on pension, but wanted to start her own business as a photographer. She was referred to the New Enterprise Incentives Scheme that afternoon and soon secured some employment with her local newspaper as a photographer.
AHMED**
Ahmed**, a refugee client, presented for a JCA having spent 23 years in an overseas refugee camp where he sustained significant injuries. Ahmed was unsure what type of work he could perform or whether he could work. He had no medical information and had never seen a doctor. He possessed no functional English skills and had no idea how to engage a GP in Australia. Fortunately an Exercise Physiologist was available to conduct the assessment and performed a series of motion tests to establish the extent of his physical restrictions. Ahmed was pleased that his restrictions would not necessarily prevent him from working in Australia and that Vocational Rehabilitation Services were available to help him return to work.
SUSAN**
Susan** was referred for a JCA due to a change in circumstances. She was working 20 hours per week as a kitchen hand but revealed that this job was in jeopardy as she needed to take time off due to a painful wrist. She felt frightened to tell the employer about her wrist. During the assessment, it became apparent that she had possible tenosinovitis in her left wrist, which had gone untreated. After review of her options, she agreed to see her GP for treatment, who then referred her on to have steroid injections to help reduce swelling etc. In conjunction, the assessor referred her for physical support using the Job Capacity Account. She underwent three sessions of physiotherapy and was fitted with a wrist brace. She was also provided with stress and pain management strategies to utilize during times of exacerbation of pain and stress. After three weeks of treatment, Susan returned to the assessor to report that the interventions have helped build her confidence to tell her employer about her situation who is now very supportive. Susan is pleased with the outcome, her wrist is improving and her employer is holding her job open for her whilst she recovers.
JOE**
Joe** could not return to work in industry due to pain from his medical condition. He also lacked confidence that he could get a job. Following Vocational Rehabilitation to help him manage his condition and build his confidence, Joe was able to commence light duties with a supportive employer. Over a seven week period, his capacity to work progressively increased and he was offered a full-time position, which his employer is now holding open for him while he recovers from a recent car accident.
GLEN**
A Job Capacity Assessment was provided for Glen**, an Indigenous man in his twenties, living in a remote Northern Territory community. He had no experience of work, limited education and English language skills, alcohol dependency and symptoms of anxiety/depression. He appeared to have low self esteem and was very unhappy and anxious about his alcohol dependency. He stated that he had not expressed his concerns before to anyone and there were no medical records at the clinic. He expressed motivation to overcome his alcohol dependency and achieve some sustained employment by participating in substance abuse and personal counselling, upgrading his literacy/numeracy and English skills and undertaking some Work for the Dole, and was keen to begin his program.
KERRY**
Kerry**, who had a history of substance abuse, mood difficulties and limited employment, was referred for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy under the Job Capacity Account . She responded well to therapy, increased her daily activity levels and began to attend Job Network more regularly. The Job Network Member assisted Kerry to purchase clothes for job interviews, then informed the assessor of Kerry’s success in gaining employment in a customer service role. Kerry reported that while she still experienced some difficulties, she was better able to understand the connection between her thinking, feeling and behaviour and could implement strategies as discussed in her Job Capacity Account intervention.
MARY**
Mary** is 18 and had felt depressed since Year 9 in high school when she experienced some family problems. She had tried therapy in the past to address her depression, but this had not been successful. Mary was concerned that her depressed mood was impacting on her motivation to find employment.
Mary was referred for a Job Capacity Assessment. The Job Capacity Assessor determined that Mary would benefit from some Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to address her mild depression and motivational issues. This intervention was funded by the Job Capacity Account.
After starting the Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Mary began making progress immediately. She took the program on board whole heartedly and participated fully, whilst also attending her Job Network appointments. Mary began setting goals that she wanted to achieve. As she started making these changes Mary’s mood began to lift.
When she went to her Job Capacity Assessment, Mary felt she was not ready to look for work. After three sessions of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy she was employed in full time work and is now considering returning to study. Given access the assistance that she needed, Mary was able to make a large shift in her attitude towards her ability to gain employment and enhance her feelings of self worth and achievement.
SCOTT**
Scott** moved to Australia when he was a child and did not go to high school as his parents needed him to stay at home and look after his younger brothers. As a teenager, Scott injured his back doing heavy work. Scott worked as a cleaner for a while, but had to stop because the physical demand of the job exacerbated his previous back injury.
At the Job Capacity Assessment, Scott revealed that he was worried about his future. This uncertainty caused him great distress. Scott was relieved to be able to talk to someone about his situation. Most importantly, Scott was grateful to be given a possible solution.
The Job Capacity Assessor determined that Scott needed help to learn to manage his back injury and to assist him to find more suitable types of work. Scott was referred to Vocational Rehabilitation and was given an appointment time immediately.
NINA**
Nina** was accepted into Australia 5 years ago as a refugee and was granted permanency by the Australian Government. Nina has two serious medical conditions . Her child also has a serious medical condition which requires regular medical treatment. Nina indicated she was struggling financially and was only doing temp work as a carer because she had to collect and supervise her son after school and on weekends. She was separated from her sisters and other family in coming here, and has no support in Australia.
Nina openly wept for the entire assessment as she recounted her experiences in her country of origin, that she escaped from. She reported that her father and brother had been murdered. She had been exposed to, and had witnessed, crimes against humanity and as a result had unresolved trauma issues.
Nina's Job Capacity Assessor identified her trauma and referred her to trauma counselling utilising the Job Capacity Account. The psychologist taught Nina relaxation techniques to help reduce symptoms of worry and anxiety. In addition to this, the psychologist helped Nina make contact with her sisters overseas, who are being processed to come to Australia.
The psychologist helped Nina connect with community organisations to assist in locating further members of her family and integrate Nina and her son into the community. Because of her Job Capacity Assessment, Nina was able to access the trauma counselling she needed. After the counselling Nina seemed more in control of her situation and secured a job interview with an agency that could provide further work.
** Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
Notes
- To recieve this information in a different format please email jca.feedback@humanservices.gov.au.