Head First's Philosophy of Care - the general beliefs, ideas and knowledge which underpin practice. In all aspects of its business Head First supports the right of individuals with acquired brain injuries to lead as normal and fulfilling a life as possible within the limitations of their injuries. Head First therefore advocates and encourages opportunities for clients to do as much as they can independently, yet recognises and recommends (and, in the case of Case Management clients, provides) appropriate assistance when it is needed.
Clinical model of Case Management Head First follows a model of clinical case management in which the relationship between the Case Manager and the brain-injured client (and their family) is paramount.
Face to face contact Visits to the client's home and frequent telephone contact carried out in a non-judgmental, objective and compassionate manner facilitates rapport and enables collaborative planning, leading in turn to more effective and sustainable intervention.
Client-centred, flexible
As a result of joint planning with the client, Head First accepts the need for, and consequently implements, an extremely broad range of support which takes account of individual needs and preferences, and is provided at a pace and level that each client can accept and cope with.
Supportive Head First enables people with acquired brain injuries to progress towards their rehabilitation goals, and supports them and their families in adjusting to their altered circumstances, while also acknowledging that this is a dynamic process and that the needs of each individual will change over time. It is also understood that many of Head First's clients will have long-term or permanent needs as a consequence of their brain injury.
Professional All Case Managers at Head First have professional backgrounds and are bound by their own professional codes of conduct and ethics. They are also guided by the protocol and Guidelines of Practice drawn up by the British Association of Brain Injury Case Managers (BABICM).
Neurofunctional approach
Assessments used by Case Managers have been developed as a result of extensive experience of working with people with severe brain injuries, using a neuro-functional approach to rehabilitation and community re-integration.
Evidence-based practice
All intervention is carried out against a background of evidence and expertise based on research. All Head First employees undertake data collection on Case Management as part of an in-house research project and some have contributed towards international research and other professional publications on the subject of brain injury.
Sharing expertise
Head First is committed to raising awareness about the particular problems encountered by brain-injured people. These problems, which are often unseen, give rise to a wide range of difficulties for the clients and their families, yet are very often not understood or taken into account by the public or even by general disability services. Head First therefore seeks to share specialist knowledge and communicate expertise at every opportunity, whether this be within everyday communication or through the provision of formal training to clients, families, support workers, healthcare workers, therapists, social workers, solicitors, insurers, Case Managers and other professionals.
Staff Development and Training
Head First is committed to maintaining a reputation of excellence and expertise within the field of brain injury and actively promotes all aspects of training and professional development for its employees and for support workers engaged by clients of Head First.
Referrals for Case Management
Initial enquiries are welcome by telephone or letter and should be addressed to the Case Management Referrals Manager.
Case Management services are generally provided to brain injured adults who live within a two-hour drive of the office in Hawkhurst, Kent. This includes Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London, and parts of Hampshire, Essex, and neighbouring counties. One off Assessments and training may be carried out on a national and international basis.
General Enquiries: 01580 752275
Referrals: janine.heritage@head-first.org
