Department of Health and Children

Rehabilitative Training

The provision of rehabilitative training (previously known as rehabilitative/lifeskills training) is the responsibility of the Health Services Executive. Rehabilitative training focuses on the development of an individual's core life skills, social skills and basic work skills with the objective of enhancing the trainee's quality of life and general work capacity. Responsibility for rehabilitative training services lies with the Director of Disability Services within each Health Services Executive area.

The approval and monitoring of delivery of Rehabilitative Training Programmes is carried out by Service Co-ordinators. There is one Co-ordinator post allocated to each Disabilities Services Department. Guidance Officers provide occupational guidance to people with disabilities. Each Disability Services Department has one or more Guidance Officer posts allocated to it, although the job title may differ in each Health Services Executive.

Trainees attending rehabilitative training retain their social welfare benefit/allowance. They are also paid a training bonus. Trainees who have to live away from home in order to attend training apply to the Community Welfare Officer for Supplementary Welfare Allowance. Anyone wishing to access rehabilitative training or to obtain further information should contact the office of the Director of Disability Services in the local Health Services Executive.