Information for Referrers
Case Management is a collaborative process which assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates the options and services required to optimise an individual’s health and well-being, using advocacy, communications and available resources to promote quality, cost-effective outcomes in the individual’s best interest.
Our service is underpinned by the principle that the Case Manager has a Duty of Care towards the client (the person with a brain injury), irrespective of who funds the care.
We welcome referrals from clients, family members, deputies, solicitors and other advocates. In accordance with best practice guidance issued by BABICM, and further to judicial guidance we cannot accept joint instruction for Case Management services, however we can accept joint instruction for the provision of an Immediate Needs Assessment (INA) under the Rehabilitation Code. Should you require an INA only, please follow this link: INA Reports.
Should you require an Expert Witness Report, go to: Expert Witness Services
To refer to us for Case Management services please contact the referrals team 01580 752275 or cmreferrals@head-first.org, who will review the information you supply, provide details of a suitable case manager and inform you of their availability, and ascertain what sort of report you require and let you know the cost and time scales involved. Once written approval to proceed with the initial assessment has been gained, the referrals team will arrange for the case manager to visit the client.
Once approval to go ahead has been gained the Case Manager will visit the client (and their family) to carry out an initial assessment of their needs arising as a consequence of the brain injury.
Our assessment identifies presenting issues for the client and their family, arising as a consequence of their brain injury, including physical, cognitive, emotional/behavioural control difficulties, and the impact of these on their day to day functioning and participation in society. In conjunction with the client, the Case Manager formulates a plan aimed to address or ameliorate the issues.
Following the assessment a fully costed report is provided, outlining recommendations for provision of various services or other requirements to meet the identified immediate and short-term needs.
In most cases a full, detailed report is supplied, covering all findings of the assessment including history, cognitive and physical abilities, functional status, risks, etc., however in exceptional cases, such as where the referrer is a family member who does not require the background information, a shorter report/letter can be provided, outlining a summary of main conclusions only, yet still containing a fully costed bespoke plan of Case Management intervention and recommendations for provision of various other services or requirements.
Whichever report is supplied, Case Management can only commence once the plan of intervention has been shared with, and accepted by the client and/or their representative, and on receipt of written agreement to proceed.
The Case Management plan is continually reviewed and updated as needs and circumstances change and all those involved are kept informed via regular updates or progress reports. Depending on whether there is rehabilitation or support package in place, the Case Manager may also compile additional documents during the course of intervention, such as: Risk Assessments; Support Workers' Guidance; Rehabilitation or Maintenance Plans; tailored daily recording sheets for support work teams.
