There are instances when rehabilitation clients choose to pursue self-employment in preference to pursuing paid employment with a new employer.
Self-employment is a viable vocational rehabilitation outcome where:
- the client is committed to such a venture;
- medical evidence of the client's ability to do the work exists; and
- the client is able to provide documentary evidence via a properly prepared business plan of their ability to earn in a particular self-employment venture.
This option must always be at the instigation of the client as any self-employment venture contains a degree of risk which must ultimately be borne by the client. It is worth noting that a high percentage of small business ventures fail. Accordingly, some Rehabilitation Delegates may choose to support self-employment on behalf of a client only after:
- all other options have been explored; and
- the self-employment proposal has been fully investigated and reported on by the rehabilitation service provider.
In any event the Rehabilitation Delegate should be satisfied that the client understands the risks and has sufficient information to make an informed decision.
An often-quoted advantage of self-employment is that it provides the client with the flexibility to work hours that suit the needs of their injury and the unpredictable nature of their symptoms.