'Investment in vocational rehab vital', Headway tells MPs

The Work and Pensions Committee has launched an inquiry to understand why the disability employment gap remains close to 30%. It is looking at current UK Government schemes and exploring ways to improve support for disabled people trying to get into work.

In our response, we call for targeted funding for vocational rehabilitation for brain injury survivors, investment in community-based reablement, and training for welfare assessors and employers to better understand the unique needs of those living with brain injury.

We also shared evidence from our 2025 ABI Week survey of survivors and carers, which shows that fluctuating symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, mood changes and cognitive difficulties, are a major barrier to consistent work or study.

86% of survivors and 78% of carers said work or study is much harder on a bad day. On good days, things improve, but 24% of survivors still face challenges. This unpredictability makes it difficult to fit into traditional work environments.

Brain injury survivors therefore, deserve opportunities to move into and stay in good quality employment where appropriate.

Headway’s Chief Executive Luke Griggs said:

“Brain injury survivors repeatedly tell us that their symptoms are not barriers to employment. Rather, it is the lack of understanding and flexibility in the systems meant to support them that is preventing them from returning to work or education.

“That’s why we’re calling for sustained investment in vocational rehabilitation for people living with brain injury, alongside training and awareness schemes to help employers and colleagues better understand its effects. This training should extend to welfare assessors and job coaches.

“Charities such as Headway exist to improve the lives of those they support. We already help people to regain the skills and confidence they need to return to work or education, but these services are chronically underfunded and vulnerable.

“If the government is serious about closing the employment disability gap, it must invest in targeted, specialist support.

“Decision-makers must also accept that for some brain injury survivors, returning to work is not a possibility. That reality deserves compassion, not punishment, and requires a far greater understanding of the condition.”

The Government has pledged an extra £2.2 billion over the next four years to improve employment support and tackle the disability employment gap. This investment must include dedicated funding for vocational rehabilitation for brain injury survivors.

The inquiry follows the UK Government’s U-turns on disability benefit reforms. While the committee can’t change the law, our submission aims to make sure brain injury survivors are heard. We will also contribute to Minister Timms’ review on how benefits like PIP can better support people into work.