When to Refer for an FCE
A practical guide to the referral situations where objective functional capacity data is most useful.
Read the guide
Professional Referrals
Vocational Rehabilitation & Medico-Legal Occupational Therapy
Objective, independent occupational therapy assessments for legal, insurance, and workplace decision-making. Our evaluations provide evidence-based analysis of functional capacity, vocational potential, and return-to-work readiness.
Referral Quick Facts
Clear expectations help professional referrers decide faster and brief us properly from the outset.
Who This Is For
Attorneys, insurers, employers, case managers, and rehabilitation teams needing independent OT input.
Typical Scope
FCEs, vocational capacity, work ability, employability, return-to-work, and medico-legal occupational therapy reporting.
Turnaround
Report timing depends on urgency and case complexity. Standard reports are typically delivered within about 7–14 working days after assessment completion, and generally within 21 working days.
Service Area
Johannesburg, Randburg, Sandton, Fourways, Midrand, and wider Gauteng by appointment.
Who We Work With
Professional referral services for legal, insurance, and employment stakeholders
Attorneys
Independent medico-legal assessments and expert reports for RAF, labour, and personal injury matters. Our objective, defensible reporting supports legal proceedings with evidence-based analysis of functional capacity and occupational impact.
Insurers & Case Managers
Objective functional capacity evaluations and return-to-work assessments to inform claims decisions and rehabilitation planning. Our vocational input supports employability evaluations and evidence-based RTW decision-making.
Employers & HR
Work ability assessments and job demands analysis to support workplace accommodation and disability management. Our functional capacity evaluations inform return-to-work planning and evidence-based workplace decisions.
Rehabilitation & Medico-Legal Teams
Collaborative vocational rehabilitation services and functional assessments for multidisciplinary case management. Our independent OT input complements team-based approaches while maintaining objective, evidence-based evaluation standards.
Services Available for Referral
Comprehensive occupational therapy assessments for professional contexts
Vocational Capacity Assessments
Comprehensive evaluation of an individual's ability to perform work-related tasks, considering physical, cognitive, and psychosocial factors. Includes analysis of transferable skills and vocational potential.
Work Ability & Employability Evaluations
Objective assessment of current work capacity and future employability, including identification of suitable occupations and required workplace accommodations.
Return-to-Work Assessments
Functional evaluation to determine readiness for return to work, including graduated return-to-work planning and job demands analysis.
Medico-Legal Occupational Therapy Reports
Independent expert reports for legal proceedings, providing objective analysis of functional capacity, disability, and occupational impact following injury or illness.
Assessment & Reporting Approach
Our assessments are conducted using established vocational rehabilitation frameworks and evidence-based occupational therapy methodology. Each evaluation is structured, comprehensive, and defensible.
- 1
Vocational Rehabilitation Frameworks
Application of established models including the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.
- 2
Functional and Job Demands Analysis
Comprehensive evaluation of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial demands of work tasks and occupations.
- 3
Evidence-Based OT Methodology
Standardised assessments, clinical reasoning, and peer-reviewed evidence inform all evaluations.
- 4
Structured, Defensible Reporting
Clear, objective reports with findings, analysis, and recommendations suitable for legal and professional contexts.
Independence & Ethics
Nelisiwe OT Services maintains strict independence in all professional assessments. We provide objective, evidence-based evaluations without advocacy or outcome coaching.
Independence
Objective assessments free from external influence or bias
No Advocacy
We do not advocate for any party or predetermined outcome
No Outcome Coaching
Assessments reflect actual functional capacity without coaching or influence
HPCSA Compliance
Full compliance with Health Professions Council of South Africa ethical standards
Referral Process
Streamlined process from referral to report delivery
1
Referral Submitted
Professional referral received with relevant documentation and case context. Initial review and scheduling confirmation provided.
2
Assessment Conducted
Comprehensive occupational therapy assessment performed using standardised tools and evidence-based methodology. All relevant functional domains evaluated.
3
Report Delivered
Professional report delivered within agreed timeframe. Report includes findings, analysis, and recommendations suitable for legal or professional use.
What to Include With a Referral
Sending the right information upfront helps us confirm scope faster and reduces delays caused by missing context or documents.
- 1The referral question or decision that the assessment needs to inform.
- 2Relevant medical, legal, insurance, or workplace documents already available.
- 3The claimant or employee context, job demands, and known functional concerns.
- 4Any deadlines, court dates, insurer requirements, or turnaround expectations.
Communication & Turnaround
Professional Communication
All communication is conducted with professionalism and clarity. Regular updates provided throughout the assessment process, with direct contact available for case-specific queries.
Confidential Handling
All documentation and case information handled with strict confidentiality in accordance with HPCSA ethical guidelines and data protection requirements.
Agreed Turnaround Times
Turnaround times are discussed and agreed upon at referral, taking case complexity and urgency into account. Standard reports are typically delivered within about 7–14 working days from assessment completion, and generally within 21 working days. Urgent timeframes can be arranged where clinically and practically possible.
Decision-Stage Resources
These resources are designed to help professional referrers understand when to request an assessment and what to expect from the process.
Functional Capacity Evaluations
Understand what an FCE measures, who it helps, and how the assessment process works.
Explore FCE servicesMedico-Legal OT Scope
Review the assessment methodology, reporting standards, and independence principles behind our medico-legal work.
Review medico-legal servicesProfessional Referral Enquiries
Submit a professional referral or contact us for general enquiries about our vocational rehabilitation and medico-legal occupational therapy services.