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Community Head Injury Service – information for people referred to the Working Out Team (vocational rehabilitation)

Read our guide below about our Community Head Injury Service.

You can also download a PDF version of this patient information by following the link on the right.

Who we are

We support people with the short, medium- and long-term consequences of brain injury.

The Community Head Injury Service (CHIS) is based at Brookside Clinic in Aylesbury, and provides services to the whole of Buckinghamshire and the surrounding areas.

What is Working Out?

It’s a specialist vocational rehabilitation programme designed to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and employment after a brain injury. Our team includes expertise in clinical neuropsychology and occupational therapy. We also have a placement consultant and admin support.

We also have access to physiotherapists and speech and language therapists.

Where do appointments take place?

They can be face to face, in the community, workplace or at Trust locations around the county. We can also arrange video conferencing appointments using applications such as Microsoft Teams.

Who we see

We provide specialist vocational neurorehabilitation to adults aged 16+ with:

  • head injury
  • stroke
  • cerebral anoxia
  • encephalitis and meningitis
  • sub arachnoid haemorrhage
  • non progressive cerebral tumours
  • mild head injury with persisting post-concussion symptoms

What we do

We tailor your vocational rehabilitation according to your needs. The information below is a guide to the range of things we may offer, but not everyone will have everything listed here.

Initial assessment

After you’re referred to us, we’ll offer you an appointment for an initial assessment. This can be quite a long appointment as we want to get to know who you are and what difficulties you might be experiencing. We usually invite you to bring a close relative with you.

At the end of that appointment we’ll agree an initial plan of action.

Vocational assessment

We use a combination of activities to identify your needs. This can include:

  • formal testing
  • group participation
  • community activities
  • work-based discussions.

What happens after my assessment?

We work with you to develop strategies that will help you to return and stay at work. This can include attending a work preparation group, community-based activities and individual input tailored just for you.

You can also be offered other sessions such as:

  • educational sessions about brain injury
  • cognitive rehabilitation
  • fatigue management
  • communication
  • using technology to manage difficulties
  • psychological support.

When appropriate, we’ll explore opportunities for work with you. This may start as a voluntary placement. Where possible you’ll progress to a longer-term placement. In agreement with you, we provide ongoing support for you and your employer.

How we support your family

We do this either through our community practitioner or through family/couple counselling and education.

What some of our patients have said …

“Without the team I wouldn’t be where I am now, they are very supportive and motivational”

“I have really benefitted from the CHIS services and would recommend them. The techniques I have been taught, I have implemented and they have helped my recovery.”

Contact us

01296 255730
buc-tr.CHIS@nhs.net