Good news stories from JCA and Job Capacity Account

This attachment provides a small sample of the good news stories provided to DHS by JCA providers. The stories are true but names have been changed.

 ‘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.

‘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.

‘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. After review of her options, she agreed to see her GP for treatment, who then referred her on to have steroid injections. 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 also was provided with stress and pain management strategies. After three weeks, Susan returned to the Assessor to report that the interventions had 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.

‘Nola’, an Indigenous woman in her forties, had been unable to work for some time due to pain following an operation. She has now been referred to Vocational Rehabilitation services to help her manage her pain and other symptoms, and is undergoing further medical investigation. She hopes that, with this help, she will be able to return to her job as a teacher’s aide. 

‘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’ is an Indigenous man in his twenties, living in a remote 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 programme.

‘Nina’ is a widowed refugee with a young son. Both she and her son have serious medical conditions, and Nina could only find temporary work and was struggling financially.  Nina’s Job Capacity Assessor referred her to a psychologist funded through the Job Capacity Account, who provided counselling, organised social support services for her and her son and helped her to locate family members overseas. Nina is now linked with an employment agency, which provides her with flexible work which suits her son’s care needs, and she hopes that her sisters will join her in Australia soon.

‘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.