Enterprising spirits

Author:
BATES Keith
Journal article citation:
Learning Disability Today, 10(4), May 2010, pp.14-16.
Publisher:
Pavilion
Place of publication:
Hove

It is estimated that just 7.5% of adults with learning disabilities are in paid employment, yet many of these people want to work. The cross government employment strategy Valuing Employment Now, published in 2009, has set ambitious targets to radically improve the opportunities for, and increase the numbers in, work for people with learning difficulties. This article describes the ‘In Business’ project, which help to support people with learning disabilities in setting themselves up as self-employed as a realistic route to employment. The project worked with 4 primary sites across England, each supporting up to 8 people in establishing their own small business. The key features of the project were that: each entrepreneur was supported to develop their own business based on their interests and abilities; the In Business project manager advised paid support staff, families and entrepreneurs about setting up business and navigating the benefits and tax systems as a self-employed person; staff members and families were engaged and trained in order to support the entrepreneur; and small business advisers and mainstream employment services were engaged in the project from its early stages. This article outlines the innovation involved, the business development provided, and the service delivery change as a result of supporting people with learning disabilities become entrepreneurs.

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, self-advocacy, self-determination, self-employment, supported employment, adults, empowerment;
Content type:
practice example
Location(s):
England
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN print:
1752-007X

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