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Jewel in the crown
- Author:
- LOONEY Linda
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, June 2011, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
A social enterprise set up by learning disability support provider Norwood enables gifts and jewellery made by people with learning disabilities to be sold via the internet. The success of the project is discussed. The social enterprise project are an expansion of Norwood's successful supported employment programme.
The role of supported employment agencies in promoting the health of people with learning disabilities: a briefing report for Department of Health and agencies
- Authors:
- VIGNA Elisa, BEYER Stephen, KERR Michael
- Publisher:
- Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 22p.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
Health promotion is particularly important for people with learning disabilities. Particular health problems faced by people with learning disabilities include obesity, smoking and alcohol use. This research examines the role of supported employment agencies (SEAs) in promoting the health of people with learning disabilities. A web survey was set up to investigate the strategies used by the UK SEAs to prevent behaviour that risks health. Fifty agencies completed the survey: 79% from England; 13% from Wales; 4% from Scotland; and 4% from Northern Ireland. The report presents the results regarding the activities of SEAs in assessing, training and providing ongoing support in relation to health and well-being promotion initiatives. Data on the agency’s awareness of the health problems people with learning disabilities face were included in the survey results. The research identified health promotion assistance agencies either delivered directly or outsourced to health professionals. The paper identifies the potential for agencies to capitalise on their role as employment mediators to promote healthy lifestyles for employees with learning disabilities.
Supported employment for people with learning disabilities in the UK: the last 15 years
- Authors:
- MELLING Kathy, BEYER Stephen, KILSBY Mark
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 16(2), April 2011, pp.23-32.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
In the April 1997 issue of Tizard Learning Disability Review these authors wrote of their aspirations for the development of supported employment in the United Kingdom. This paper revisits these aspirations against a changing policy context with the introduction of Valuing People and Valuing People Now. It reviews developments in employment policy, innovation, the framework for funding supported employment and changes in the level of employment for people with learning disabilities since 1997. Despite significant improvements in policy, not much has changed for England in terms of the number of people with learning disabilities employed. However, there are a number of positive developments to draw on to ensure that this number increases. This article summarises the progress in this area over this 15 year period and the challenges that remain. It suggests the need for further action to deliver the Government's vision of employment inclusion and to secure the rights of people with learning disabilities to a place in the workplace.
Employment: what we have learned
- Author:
- SPENCER Charlotte
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 16(2), April 2011, pp.33-38.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
It is clear from many UK and international examples that people with learning disabilities can secure and retain jobs that employers value. With the right support, this applies to people with severe impairments as well as those with milder disabilities. This article summarises work done under Valuing People Now to improve employment prospects and outcomes for people with learning disabilities in England. It summarises the barriers to improvements, such as the benefit system, employer prejudice, and families’ low aspirations. It explains how understanding these barriers has helped to unlock solutions and new approaches. The Valuing People Employment Team has been attempting to tackle the barriers through: the Getting A Life demonstration sites; Project Search internships; the Jobs First project; and campaigns and training to increase work aspirations and expectations. Case examples demonstrate the use of these initiatives.
A home of my own
- Author:
- POWELL Lynne
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 12(1), December 2011, pp.32-33.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
This article describes how Tony Gritton, 43, has adapted to independent living and supported employment after 30 years of living in institutions. Tony has learning disabilities, schizophrenia and challenging behaviour, but after moving into 24-hour supported accommodation has completely changed – he now cooks, cleans, socialises and enjoys part time employment at Re-Instate, a charity employing 50 people with mental health problems in a sheltered workshop that serves commercial clients. The article describes Tony’s daily routine about the home and work, and highlights positive aspects of his life since moving into his own home.
Supported employment and job coaching: best practice guidelines
- Author:
- VALUING PEOPLE NOW
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 7p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Employment is a priority for people with a learning disability as set out in Valuing People Now. Supported employment is a well-evidenced, personalised approach to working with people with significant disabilities, including people with learning disabilities and autism, to access and retain open employment, with support. The purpose of this document is to give the final definition of supported employment after consultation with a range of stakeholders (including people with learning disabilities, family carers, providers of supported employment and employers) following publication of the draft definition in March 2010. It covers what supported employment is and its guiding principles, who provides supported employment, and the supported employment model. This document is primarily aimed at supported employment practitioners and commissioners to ensure that more people with significant impairments get and keep jobs.
Increasing the numbers of people with learning disabilities in employment: the evidence base: best practice guidance for local commissioners
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 22p.
- Place of publication:
- London
A set of principles to guide how people with learning disabilities are supported in relation to employment are set out in this document. It also considers the provision or commissioning of employment services by local authorities and the business case for investment in these services. It covers the policy context, problems for people with learning disabilities in gaining employment, supported employment, the importance of welfare benefits advice, issues for local authorities and commissioners to consider, work experience, volunteering, micro-enterprise and self-employment, social enterprise, and links to economic regeneration. Best practice guidelines on supported employment and job coaching are also included.
Understanding quality of working life of workers with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- FLORES Noelia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 24(2), March 2011, pp.133-141.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Previous studies have shown that individuals with intellectual disabilities can be successful at work. Benefits for the individual include an increased social status, social integration and improved social networking. This paper investigated the perceived quality of working life for those with intellectual disabilities, and examined participants’ perceptions in relation to perceived job demands and resources and their impact on job satisfaction. Five hundred and seven workers with intellectual disabilities, employed in either sheltered workshops or supported employment in Spain, completed questionnaires on the quality of working life. Findings indicated that perceived low job demands and elevated social support from co-workers and supervisors improved the quality of working life. The authors concluded that the study confirmed the impact of job demands and available resources on satisfaction with employment for workers with intellectual disabilities partaking in supported employment.
Progression post-16 for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities
- Author:
- OFSTED
- Publisher:
- OFSTED
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 43p.
- Place of publication:
- Manchester
This survey evaluates the arrangements for transition from school and the provision in post-16 settings for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities up to the age of 25. Through visits to 32 providers and the completion of 111 detailed case studies, inspectors assessed the effectiveness of provision in enabling learners to develop greater independence, and progress to further learning or open or supported employment.
Can peer support help with the employment challenge?
- Authors:
- KAEHNE Axel, ALLAN Julie
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, August 2011, pp.30-32.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
The first Youth Supported Employment Programme (YSEP) was launched in Calgary, Canada, in 1994. YSEP aims to emulate the career paths of non-disabled young people by organising Saturday and evening jobs for young people with learning disabilities and by teaming them with a non-disabled peer supporter. YSEP was first piloted in the UK in 1999 and has recently been implemented and evaluated in Manchester. Results from the evaluation were encouraging although the number of participants was small. Five young people were recruited and were supported in the workplace by peers; support was successfully phased out to all but one of the young people. There was also some evidence that participants developed some social contacts during the project. Employers were positive about the project and the majority indicated that they would hire young people with learning disabilities again.