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Supported employment for people with learning disabilities: the case of full-time work
- Author:
- McINALLY George
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 13(3), October 2008, pp.42-46.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
North Lanarkshire Council's supported employment has achieved a reputation for delivering full-time work for people who have learning disabilities. Since 1999, the service has accessed 175 jobs, and current supports 127 individuals who work more than 16 hours a week. This article describes how the approach taken by North Lanarkshire can be adopted by other authorities.
Starting a new job: the social and emotional experience of people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- JAHODA Andrew, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 22(5), September 2009, pp.421-425.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Thirty-five individuals with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities were recruited from supported employment agencies in Scotland. The participants were interviewed around the time of starting their jobs, and again 9-12 months later. The content analyses of the semi-structured interviews indicated that the participants perceived continuing benefits from entering mainstream employment, including more purposeful lives and increased social status. However, over the follow-up period the participants reported few social opportunities that extended beyond the workplace, and an anxiety about their competence to meet employers' demands remained a concern for some. The discussion addresses the importance of understanding work in relation to the participants' wider lives, along with the longer-term role for supported employment agencies to help people achieve their social and emotional goals in a vocational context.
Supported employment in Scotland: some issues from research and implications for development
- Authors:
- HUNTER Susan, RIDLEY Julie
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 12(2), April 2007, pp.3-13.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article arises from the authors' experience of undertaking research for the Scottish Executive, following the deliberations of a national working group focusing on employment set up to progress the recommendations of the 'Same as You?' review, Scotland’s equivalent of 'Valuing People'. The article aims to contribute to a debate about the achievements and under-achievements of supported employment in the contemporary Scottish context. The research findings are used to discuss where we are now, some of the main problems, and how policy and practice need to move forward and develop. The author suggest that the time is right to initiate a strategic change in policy and professional practice. Supported employment must be firmly embedded in the wider employment landscape and the practice agenda of professionals, in order to ensure that real, paid jobs in integrated settings become a routine for people with learning disabilities who express these aspirations.
Working for a change?
- Authors:
- JAHODA Andrew, BANKS Pauline, DAGNAN Dave
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 10(8), October 2010, pp.35-37.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Supported employment is a common route to work for people with learning disabilities. In theory, it involves careful job assessment to match individual’s strengths and wishes to potential jobs. This article provides an overview of a study which examined the impact of moving into supported employment on the quality of life and emotional well-being of people with learning disabilities. The 49 participants were recruited from 24 supported employment schemes in Scotland. They worked between 3 and 38 hours a week, with an average of 16 hours. Their jobs were mainly entry level posts in retail, catering, office/administration, factory and domestic work. A number of self-report measures were completed to examine whether there were any changes to the participants’ mental health, social lives, and quality of life when they started work. In addition, the participants took part in 2 semi-structured interviews; the first when they started supported employment and the second 9 months later. The results of the self-report measures showed no changes of note at follow-up. However, the semi-structured interviews provided insight into the participants’ perceptions of work and how their views about employment changed. The article concludes that there was little evidence of people with learning disabilities in work experiencing increased social interaction either within or outside of the work setting. Struggles with work can also raise people’s awareness of the limits of their abilities.
"Go for it!": supporting people with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum disorder in employment
- Authors:
- RIDLEY Julie, HUNTER Susan, INFUSION CO-OPERATIVE
- Publisher:
- Scotland. Scottish Executive. Social Research
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 114p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This report aimed to investigate the employment support available for people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in paid and unpaid jobs in Scotland. The study aimed to map the nature and availability of employment support; to identify aspects of good practice; and to explore the direct experiences of individuals and their families. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods and involved a review of the literature published in the past 5 years; telephone interviews with 10 key stakeholders; a postal questionnaire survey of 204 employment support providers; in-depth qualitative interviews with 15 supported employees, their families and 10 employees. The report concludes that there is some way to go before the aspirations of people with learning disabilities or ASD for real paid jobs are met. Examples of good practice were identified and, while the results were life changing for the individuals involved and their families, supported employment as originally intended was not being put into practice. There is a need for a more strategic and coordinated approach to developing and funding supported employment in Scotland so that its implementation can be more widespread.
Supported employment for people with intellectual disability: the effects of job breakdown on psychological well-being
- Authors:
- BANKS Pauline, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23(4), July 2010, pp.344-354.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The level of job breakdown is relatively high amongst people with intellectual disabilities. This paper focuses on the transition to supported employment for people with intellectual disabilities, paying particular attention to the impact of job breakdown on psychological well-being. The participants were 49 people with intellectual disabilities who had entered supported employment working at least 3 hours each week. They underwent semi-structured interviews within 3 months of entering supported employment and 9–12 months later. Where possible, someone who supported the participant, such as a relative or support work, was also interviewed at both time periods, and the employers were also interviewed on one occasion. Data collection included completion of a self-report measure of depression and anxiety (an adapted form of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and a self-report measure of quality of life (the ComQol). The results showed that, by the time of the follow-up interviews, 13 of the 49 jobs had broken down. Analysis of scores measuring quality of life, anxiety and depression showed no effect for loss of employment. However, the interviews with participants indicated that job loss had a considerable impact on those affected. There were a wide range of reasons for job breakdown, many of which were particular to the circumstances of people with intellectual disabilities.
Models of support for people with learning disabilities post-secondary school
- Author:
- MURPHY Eoin
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland Assembly. Research and Information Service
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 30
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This paper provides a general overview of the approach taken by the countries of Scotland, Sweden, Canada and the USA in supporting people with learning disabilities and Special Education Needs (SEN) who have completed secondary education. The countries were selected as examples of some of the most advanced in the way in which they provide support for people with learning disability who wish to continue their education or enter training or employment. The paper was produced for the Committee of Employment and Learning as part of its inquiry into post Special Educational Need provision in education, employment and training for those with Learning Disabilities. (Original abstract)
The value of work
- Author:
- HOPKINS Graham
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 05.09.02, 2002, p.40.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
A supported employment scheme aiming to provide real jobs for real pay for people with learning difficulties in North Lanarkshire is clocking in some good work.
The view from Arthur's seat: review of services for people with learning disabilities; a literature review of housing and support options beyond Scotland
- Authors:
- SIMONS Ken, WATSON Debbie
- Publisher:
- Scottish Executive Central Research Unit
- Publication year:
- 1999
- Pagination:
- 138p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This report argues that a 'modernised' housing and support system for people with learning disabilities should encompass the following principles: citizenship and civil rights; supported living models such as 'active' support; person centred planning; access to other services such as employment, continuing education and supported leisure activities; coherent and flexible funding; and regulatory reform.