Vocational rehabilitation at a crossroads? - A mixed-method and cross-provider analysis of structural change in vocational rehabilitation

Background: Vocational rehabilitations services (LTA) are an important socio-political component for ensuring work and social participation. In view of the structural change in employment, the pull of the labor market and new health burdens, vocational rehabilitation is under pressure. On the one hand, their importance is increasing, as health problems at work are on the rise and demographic change means that more employees with health impairments can be expected, while on the other hand the number of people entering LTA is falling. Among other things, this raises questions about the importance of these services for people who are entitled to these services due to long-term health impairments. The interdisciplinary project addresses the key question of under what conditions an entitlement to vocational rehabilitation does not result in participation in a corresponding qualification program and examines the factors responsible for the observed decline in the use of vocational rehabilitation. Certain groups of people may be underserved and lack adequate social or labor market policy instruments to mitigate health risks in employment or facilitate professional reorientation. We are therefore developing a prognostic model to identify previously underserved individuals and reach out to them in the future.

Methods: Using a mixed-methods approach and a cross-agency approach based on routine data from the Federal Employment Agency and the German Pension Insurance, the project examines whether vocational rehabilitation services are up-to-date and take sufficient account of the needs of, for example, a) a changing demographic population and increased female labor force participation, b) a pull effect of the labor market and c) changing expectations of social policy. The reasons for not utilizing social services, such as LTA, are explored qualitatively in order to support the utilization of LTA and to further develop LTA in line with demand.