Frequently Asked Questions
Case management is a coordinated approach to rehabilitation after a serious brain injury. A case manager takes on the job of connecting all the different professionals involved in someone’s recovery, therapists, doctors, care workers, solicitors and making sure everything works together. Rather than leaving the individual or their family to manage that themselves, the case manager holds it all together and keeps things moving.
It varies depending on where someone is in their recovery, but typically a case manager will assess needs, coordinate therapy and care teams, liaise with solicitors where there’s a legal claim, write reports, attend meetings, identify problems before they escalate, and adapt the rehabilitation plan as things change. The aim is always to support independence and the best possible quality of life.
An INA is usually the starting point. It’s a detailed assessment, typically two to three hours, that looks at what someone needs right now following their injury. The case manager meets with the individual and their family, reviews any existing medical information, and produces a written report setting out the recommended care, therapies, support, and any other immediate priorities. Solicitors typically commission an INA early in a case so rehabilitation can begin without waiting for the legal process to conclude.
In most cases where there’s a personal injury claim, the insurance company of the person at fault pays for case management, including the INA and ongoing fees. The solicitor will usually arrange this as part of the interim funding for the case. Where there’s no litigation, case management can be funded privately, through a Court of Protection deputyship, or in some cases through NHS Continuing Healthcare via your personal health budget. We’re happy to discuss the options with you if you’re unsure.
BABICM stands for the British Association of Brain Injury and Complex Case Management. It’s the professional body that sets standards for brain injury case managers in the UK. Membership means a case manager has met specific training and competency requirements and follows a recognised code of practice. Solicitors typically look for BABICM-registered case managers when making referrals. Hawkley Rehab is a BABICM member.
No. While many of our clients come to us through solicitor referrals, we also work directly with individuals and families. If you’re not sure whether a legal claim is involved or whether it applies to your situation, get in touch and we can talk it through.
We provide case management services across England and Wales.
You can refer by phone or email, details are on our contact page. We’ll get back to you promptly to discuss the case and what’s needed. For solicitor referrals, we can provide a fee proposal for an INA quickly so there’s no delay to the client’s rehabilitation.
The sooner the better. Early intervention significantly improves outcomes. We can begin the INA process within days of receiving a referral. Rehabilitation doesn’t need to wait for a legal case to be resolved.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by an external impact, e.g. a road accident, a fall, an assault. Acquired brain injury (ABI) is a broader term that includes TBI but also covers brain injuries caused by stroke, illness, infection, lack of oxygen, or tumour. Both can result in similar challenges with cognition, mobility, communication, and behaviour. We work with clients who have experienced any form of acquired brain injury, including traumatic brain injury.