Supporting People with Learning Disabilities into Employment in Leicestershire

Transcription

1 Supporting People with Learning Disabilities into Employment in Leicestershire Strategy

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3 Table of contents: Executive summary Introduction Strategy Aims The National Picture Drivers The Local Picture Current numbers of people with learning disabilities in Leicestershire Current numbers of people with learning disabilities in Leicestershire receiving adult social care services Number of people with learning disabilities in employment (NI146) Current services available to support employment of people with learning disabilities Leicestershire County Councils current expenditure on employment related services Service user, carer and stakeholder views Leicestershire s Strengths and Weaknesses in Employment Strengths Weaknesses Our Strategic Objectives and Targets Vision Targets Objectives: How we achieve our vision Action plan for how our vision will be achieved Next Steps Governance arrangements Leicestershire Learning Disability Partnership Board Performance measure Equality Impact Assessment Conclusion

4 Tables: Table 1: Number of known people with learning disabilities...17 Table 2: Most common postcodes for people with learning disabilities known to the transitions team...18 Table 3: Breakdown of community opportunities providers...19 Table 4: Breaking the Barriers employment statistics...22 Table 5: Leicestershire expenditure...30 Table 6: Action plan...37 Appendices Appendix 1: Recommended regional and local actions in Valuing Employment Now (2009)

5 Executive summary People with learning disabilities have one of the lowest employment rates of all people with disabilities. The employment rate of disabled people in Britain overall has risen steadily from 38% in 1998 to 48% in 2008 (Labour Force Survey, 2008) but the rate for people with learning disabilities is much lower. The Commission for Social Care Inspection data (2006) 1 showed an employment rate of just 10% for people with a learning disability receiving adult social care services. This strategy sets out how Leicestershire County Council will try to increase the number of people with learning disabilities who are in paid employment or who have their own business by Our objective is to work with all stakeholders in order to change people s attitudes towards employing people with learning disabilities and to work with people with learning disabilities to raise their own aspirations to take up employment opportunities. Locally, Leicestershire County Council aims to get 66 people with learning disabilities in to real paid jobs in the next three years by We will continue to develop the employment support services available to people with learning disabilities. This is to ensure that the department can continue to support people with learning disabilities who want to work and support them appropriately so that they can find work and are able to work long term. As part of this process we aim to continue to develop the skills of people with learning disabilities through the provision of training opportunities. We also aim to proactively seek out and work with employers in Leicestershire to demonstrate to them the advantages of employing people who have a learning disability. Finally, we aim to work in partnership with all significant stakeholders, to ensure the successful implementation of this strategy. In 1 Commission for Social Care Inspection, The state of social care in England

6 doing this we hope to create real employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities. 6

7 1. Introduction People with learning disabilities have one of the lowest employment rates of all people with disabilities. The employment rate of disabled people in Britain overall has risen steadily from 38% in 1998 to 48% in 2008 (Labour Force Survey, 2008) but the rate for people with learning disabilities is much lower. The Commission for Social Care Inspection data (2006) 1 showed an employment rate of just 10% for people with a learning disability receiving adult social care services. Paid employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities can enable them to achieve greater integration in the communities in which they live and give them an opportunity to make new friends within the communities in which they work. People with learning disabilities can also gain self confidence, learn new skills and become more independent. They will also be recognised and valued for the paid work that they do. It can also enable people with learning disabilities to be better off financially and less reliant on benefits. Since the implementation of Valuing People in there has been a drive to develop an employment pathway through which people with learning disabilities can move towards paid employment. There has been some success in increasing the skills and employment aspirations of people with learning disabilities, but there has been a relatively small number of people who have gone on to achieve paid work with many remaining in volunteering, sheltered and training schemes. With the publication of Valuing Employment Now (Government policy document) and Public Service Agreement 16 4 (Government Departmental 2 Valuing people A New Strategy for Learning Disabilities for 21 st 2001Century:Nohttp://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/ eliveringadultsocialcare/learningdisabilities/dh_ Valuing Employment -real jobs for people with learning disabilities Nowhttp:// dance/dh_

8 targets and other indicators) a new momentum towards creating and supporting people with Learning Disabilities into paid full time work has been created. Full time work is defined by the Department of Work and Pensions as 16 or more hours of paid work a week. In Leicestershire we believe strongly that people with learning disabilities have a legal (enshrined by the Disability Discrimination Act [1995]) 5 and civil right to work (enshrined by an array of Government policies). As a County Council we therefore have a responsibility to lead by example in terms of employing people with learning disabilities. We know from our own experience and from experiences nationally that all people with learning disabilities have the potential to work and with the right support and training (which includes independent travel training and provision of information and advice) people can be enabled and empowered to do so. 2. Strategy Aims This strategy aims to set out the ways in which Leicestershire County Council and its partners will try to increase the numbers of people with learning disabilities in paid employment and who are supported to have their own business. It details how Leicestershire County Council will look to expand the scope, scale and range of employment opportunities available to people with learning disabilities in Leicestershire. This strategy refers to paid employment for people with learning disabilities and not further education and training opportunities for people post 16. The children and young people s services will be producing a strategy around post 16 employment opportunities and further education opportunities. 4 Public Service Agreement 16 ic_exclusion/psa_da_16.pdf 5 Disability Discrimination Act 8

9 Stuart s story. Stuart lived at home with his family. He said that he has a great and very supportive family. I always dreamt that one day I would have my own job. Stuart then went to a residential college out of the county for three years. At college he was mainly interested in hospitality, housekeeping, food and drink and catering services in general. He said I got myself a lot of qualifications while I was at college. Stuart then did a lot of work based training in a small café which involved serving customers, clearing tables, helping in the kitchens and keeping the coffee shop clean and tidy. Stuart then worked in a pub restaurant but did not get paid but he stated it gave him a good chance to polish off my skills. Stuart spent a very long time looking for a job with the help of his family. He was then referred to Leicestershire County Council s Breaking the Barriers Team in June The Breaking the Barriers Team helped him put together his C.V and to send out a lot of person specification letters. His family then found a vacancy at the Premier Inn who offered him a job. He currently works in the kitchens washing up and he will be moving on to food preparations. Stuart concludes I enjoy my days off and I enjoy my days in. The money is brilliant. The hotel business has always been my dream and who knows where I will go from here. 9

10 3. The National Picture 3.1 Drivers There are a number of national and local drivers that work to promote the employment of people with learning disabilities. Valuing Employment Now (2009) This national strategy published in June 2009 has the following key objective: To achieve full time employment for people with moderate and severe learning disabilities and moving this from 10% at present to 48% by Full time employment means paid work or self employment for more than 16 hours per week. This will be achieved by the following high level objectives: 1. Growing the presumption of employability. Working with parents, families and carers, schools, professionals and all stakeholders to raise the aspirations and expectations about work for people with learning disabilities. 2. Person Centred Planning and Transitions Reviews. Plans should include employment as a core requirement and be linked to the Personalisation agenda. 3. Personal Budgets and Personalisation. Individuals should be able to use their personal budgets to access support to help them find and maintain paid work. 4. Job Coaches. Promoting the use of job coaches for people with learning disabilities to learn about work, access training, and help them to search for jobs and access support within the work place. 5. Benefits System. Work is on going to make changes. If individuals work 16 hours or more they may be better off financially. 6. Self Employment. 10% of the population is self employed so learning disabilities self employment figures should mirror this. 10

11 7. Working with Employers. Promote the positives of employing people with learning Disabilities to all stakeholders. 8. Travel Training. Highlights need for travel training and possible use of individual budgets in order to assist people to travel to and access employment. 9. Residential care. To be treated on an individual basis. Work needs to be done with providers to explore the possibility of enabling adults with learning disabilities to gain meaningful paid employment. Work can be done but is complicated given residential care funding payments. 10. Families leading the way. Families will look at services and assist services to seek out employment for people with learning disabilities. Work needs to be done with families in terms of access to benefits and issues around people with learning disabilities working more than 16 hours per week. 11. Data and performance management. Targets to be set by the Government in April 2010 to April 2011/12. These will be based on PSA 16 targets. 12. Local Authorities (LA s) should lead by example. LA s should lead by example in terms of employing people with learning disabilities. 13. Some people with learning disabilities suffer extra barriers to employment. For example people from the black and minority ethnic communities, people with profound, multiple and complex needs, people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions and people who have committed a crime and have been in prison also need extra help with finding a job. 14. There should be more Saturday jobs for people with learning disabilities. Especially for younger people with disabilities in order to prepare them or use them as a stepping stone for long term full time employment. 15. There should be more vocational jobs (jobs with a career path), supported employment (helping some one to find and keep a Job) and job coaching (training an employee with a disability how to do a job). 16. Campaigns and workforce training. The Government will run campaigns and workforce training and share new ideas about work and 11

12 how people with learning disabilities will be included. 17. Some monies spent on education and social care by Local Authorities could be spent on employment. 18. Disability Discrimination Act (1995). Public organisations will have to give people an equal chance to access employment. 19. Learning Disabilities Partnership Boards should check how many people are getting paid jobs each year and make employment an important part of Valuing Employment Now happen. They should also check progress made to get more people into work against national targets set. Learning Disabilities Partnership Boards will be monitored in this role. 20. The Government has given 4 million to support the Public Service Agreement 16 and National Indicator 146: This focuses on Employment and also Settled Accommodation. The National Valuing Employment Now strategy outlines a number of recommendations that local authorities should consider when developing their own local employment strategy. There are thirteen key recommendations from growing the presumption of employability, joint working to create individual paths of employment, better work preparation at school, college and adult learning and the role of personal budgets and social care amongst others. The full details are given in Appendix 1. The recommendations made nationally will be considered alongside a local assessment of need. Valuing People Now (2009) 6 The Valuing People Now White Paper (2009) identifies four areas that require further action and are including everyone, personalisation, treating people as citizens and having a life which is about work, education, and getting a life. It talks about people with learning disabilities wanting to lead ordinary 6 The Valuing People Now White Paper (2009) e/dh_

13 lives and being able to do the things that most people take for granted. This involves studying at college, getting a job, having relationships and friendships and enjoying leisure and social activities. Overall, the strategy talks about what people do during the day and how local authorities and partners must plan and develop services to enable significantly more people with learning disabilities to be able to access work. Building Britain s Recovery (2009) 7 The Government s white paper, Building Britain s Recovery (2009): Achieving full employment states that it will review employment support for all disabled customers and those with health conditions and learn about people s experiences to work and pathways to work support. Valuing People (2001) The Valuing People (2001) White Paper sets out a clear vision for providing and enabling services for people with learning disabilities. Its four main principles are: Legal and civil rights and responsibilities Choice and control Promoting Independence Social inclusion In relation to employment, Valuing People also talks about work and getting a paid job, with support if needed, as being important to people with learning disabilities. It details how many people with learning disabilities report that they want a job that is long term and that they need support and information to be able to do this. Paid work was also seen as being important in terms of the day services modernisation programme and promoting access to employment. 7 Building Britain s Recovery (2009): 13

14 Improving the Life Chances for Disabled People (January 2005) 8 This government report proposed that local authorities should set ambitious visions and targets in terms of improving the life chances of disabled people. Relating to employment, the main principle is; Improving support and incentives for getting and staying in employment. Public Service Agreement 16 (PSA 16) The New Performance Framework for Local Authorities and Local Authority Partnerships: Single Set of National Indicators sets out a set of 198 measures (indicators) representing what Government believes should be the national priorities for local government, working alone or in partnership, over the next three years. The framework contains a number of public service agreements (PSAs), government departmental targets and other indicators. PSA 16 relates to indicators that: Increase the proportion of socially excluded adults in settled accommodation and employment, education or training. Within this PSA Indicator, there is a national indicator (NI 146) that specifically relates to adults with learning disabilities in employment. Leicestershire County Council s performance against the national indicator is given in section Improving the life Chances for Disabled people e/dh_

15 Personalisation The Putting People First Concordat (2008) 9 and the Local Authority Circular Transforming Adult Social Care (2010) 10, outlines the process of supporting people with disabilities to achieve greater choice and control over their lives through the provision of individual budgets. The White Paper Our Health, Our Care, Our Say (2006) 11 identifies seven outcomes which local authorities and the NHS should support people to achieve. These are: Improved health and wellbeing Improved quality of life Making a positive contribution Increased choice and control Freedom from discrimination and harassment Economic wellbeing Maintaining personal dignity and respect Research demonstrates that employment can play a key role in supporting people to achieve many of these outcomes. There is therefore a clear emphasis on prioritising employment within the support planning process for those eligible for individual budgets. 9 The Putting People First Concordat (2008) 10 Transforming Adult Social Care (2010), 11 Our Health, Our Care, Our Say dh_

16 4. The Local Picture 4.1 Current numbers of people with learning disabilities in Leicestershire It is estimated that 9828 adults (18-64) and 2231 older people (65+) in Leicestershire have a learning disability. There are currently 1947 people on the Learning Disability Register in Leicestershire of which 63% have moderate to severe needs. Of the total, 1372 are people aged Although the groups (known versus estimated) are not comparable, it should be noted that there is a large discrepancy in the numbers of known and estimated people with learning disabilities. This will relate to the fact that only those who come to the attention of service providers are referred to the Learning Disability Register. It is likely therefore that there is a large number of people with learning disabilities who are not known to service providers and are therefore not known to the Learning Disability Register. In terms of the ethnicity of known people with learning disabilities in Leicestershire, South West Leicestershire has an increased number of adults with learning disabilities from an Asian background (7.3%) and from a Black and African background (1.1%) compared to Leicestershire, 3.5% and 1.1% respectively (JSNA 2009) 12. Similarly, Market Harborough has a greater proportion of people with learning disabilities from a Chinese background (1.1%) than Leicestershire overall (0.1%). In order to prevent inequalities, this information needs to be considered when developing relevant services at a local level. 12 Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (2009), 16

17 In terms of geography, Charnwood has the greatest number of people with learning disabilities (30.2%) and Melton has the least (7.5%). The difference in prevalence is explained through population sizes (prevalence of 0.3% -0.4% of the population in each district). See Table 1 for further details. Table 1: Number of known people with learning disabilities Area People with learning disabilities Charnwood 586 North West Leicestershire 312 Hinckley and Bosworth 309 Harborough 225 Blaby 200 Oadby and Wigston 168 Melton 143 Leicestershire 1943 Source: Learning Disability Register Transitions data The Transitions team support young people with disabilities through the transition from children s to adult services. The data held by Leicestershire County Council s Transitions Service show that between 2008 and 2012 there will be an estimated 243 people with learning disabilities coming through transitions. Of these, the breakdown is as follows; 60 young people with learning disabilities will be likely to have an autistic spectrum condition. 24 people with learning disabilities will have profound, multiple and complex needs. The remaining 159 will have a range of learning disabilities across the spectrum. 17

18 Currently there are 62 individuals with learning disabilities known to Leicestershire County Council s Transitions Team. Of these 65% are male, 35% are female. In terms of location, using postcode information, Table 2 demonstrates that the highest percentage live in LE9 (Blaby), and that over a third live in LE9, LE12, or LE11 (Charnwood). Table 2: Most common postcodes for people with learning disabilities known to the Transitions Team Postcodes Number Cumulative Total Cumulative % LE9 (Blaby) LE12 (Charnwood) LE11 (Charnwood) LE67 (NW Leics) Current numbers of people with learning disabilities in Leicestershire receiving adult social care services Leicestershire has 1082 people with learning disabilities who access community opportunities (formally known as day services) provided by internal and external providers. The data shown in Table 3 provides a snapshot of Community Opportunity users over one week. Of the 1082, almost two thirds receive community opportunities provided by adult social care providers. 18

19 Table 3: Breakdown of community opportunities providers TYPE TOTAL % Third Sector Independent Adult Placement Service Adult Social Care Other (e.g. residential, Housing association, unknown, outside Leicestershire County Council etc) Grand Total With the focus on community opportunities provided by adult social care, Figure 1 illustrates the number of attendees in each district, demonstrating that the districts of Charnwood, Hinckley & Bosworth and North West Leicestershire had the highest attendance rates in the data analysed. The geographical distribution generally mirrors the population statistics highlighted earlier in this chapter (Figure 1), demonstrating that current service provision in terms of location, reflect need. 19

20 Figure 1: Number attending Community Opportunities provided by Adult Social Care This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on Behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty s Stationery Office. Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Leicestershire County Council Published Number of people with learning disabilities in employment (NI 146) The national Public Service Agreement (PSA16) 4 focuses on employment and accommodation support for those who are socially excluded. One of the associated national indicators measures the proportion of people with a learning disability in employment. Whilst the definition of the indicator restricts who can be included, performance during (4 per cent) is an improvement on the previous year (3.5 per cent). This net increase of approximately seven service users is significant given the current economic 20

21 downturn and the levels of unemployment noted at the beginning of this section. Table 4: Number of people with learning disabilities in employment NI 146: Number of people with learning disabilities Number % Not in employment % Working less than 4 hours per week % Working 4 to 16 hours per week 9 0.7% Working 16 to 30 hours per week 8 0.6% Working 30 plus hours per week (full time) 8 0.6% Total in Employment* % Total adults with learning disabilities of working age (18-64) known to the council % *Known to the Adults and Communities Department Breaking the Barriers team data As stated earlier in the strategy, Breaking the Barriers is a specialist employment team within Leicestershire County Council. The service provides support for working age young people and adults who have experienced accident, injury, illness or a disability and wish to begin, maintain or return to work. Breaking the Barriers will work with people with Learning disabilities, even if they are not known to the Adults and Communities Department. There are a total of 113 individuals with learning disabilities known to the Breaking the Barriers Team. Table 5 illustrates that 58.4 per cent are in work, and of these, 42.4% work for Leicestershire County Council. However, it is important to note that 10 individuals in the employed by other organisation category work for Leicester City Council, meaning that 57.6% of those in work are employed by local councils. 21

22 Table 5: Breaking the Barriers employment statistics Working for Leicestershire County Council 28 Employed by other organisation 38 Not in work 47 Total 113 Types of employment vary greatly and include amenities officers, domestic/ catering assistants and grounds people. Of the 113 people known to the Breaking the barriers team, 70% are male, although for those employed by Leicestershire County Council, the proportion of males is 93%. Ethnicity In terms of ethnicity, Leicestershire s 2006 population estimates suggest that 10% of the population were non-white British. Some data on ethnicity is missing in the Breaking the Barriers data (9 cases), however 91% classed themselves as British. Age The majority of known people with learning disabilities are aged between 20 and 29. The numbers of people with learning disabilities peak at age and then begin to decline as age increases (JSNA 2009). The Breaking the Barriers data illustrates that a broad spectrum of ages are being catered for. As conveyed in the population data provided through the JSNA, there is a higher proportion of 20-29yr olds not in employment. 22

23 yrs and under yrs yrs yrs yrs 60 yrs and over Other employers Leicestershire County Council Not in w ork Volunteering One key advantage to volunteering is that it can be a significant step towards paid employment. Not only can it increase skills such as communication skills, organisation skills, punctuality and learning about new topics, it can also introduce a person to potential employers, and significantly improve a persons curriculum vitae. Table 6 illustrates the number of people with Learning disabilities taking part in voluntary work. The levels of volunteering need to be used as a baseline figure with a view to improvement over the life of the strategy. It is also important to monitor the movement from volunteering into paid employment, of those currently included in the data below. The need to travel independently has been highlighted as a key barrier to fulfilling employment opportunities for a significant number of people with learning disabilities. Travel training can also overcome barriers to social inclusion, access to leisure facilities and independent journeys to school or college. 23

24 Table 6 Voluntary workers and numbers receiving travel training. District Voluntary work Travel Training Charnwood Hinckley & Bosworth 21 1 NW Leics 46 Melton Harborough 27 Oadby & Wigston and Blaby 21 1 Total As illustrated in table 6, 28 people are currently undertaking travel training in Leicestershire. Although this figure is low, it has not included statistics for those who have already completed travel training, or the numbers requiring the training. Working with employers. Leicestershire County Council will also work proactively with all employers both in the public and private sectors to increase the number of people with learning disabilities in paid employment. This will include working with employers and looking at employment and career prospects for people with learning disabilities, looking at the need for extra assistance and specialised support that may be needed in the work place and explaining the legal and policy context that they would need to be aware of in terms of employing people with learning disabilities. This will involve good partnership working with all employers. 4.3 Current services available to support employment of people with learning disabilities There are a number of services that currently provide support to people with learning disabilities to achieve paid employment. These include a Breaking the Barriers Team, a Transitions Service, a Community Opportunities Service, and person centred planning which spans all learning disabled service areas. Further details are given below. It is crucial that people with learning disabilities should, via person centred planning and transitions reviews, be 24

25 directed towards considering full time employment as part of their future planning arrangements. Person centred planning and transitions reviews should be based on approaches and shared values that can be used to plan with a person about what they want to do in the future and to think about paid work. Breaking the Barriers Breaking the Barriers is a specialist employment team within Leicestershire County Council. The service provides support for working age young people and adults who have experienced accident, injury, illness or a disability and wish to begin, maintain or return to work. The service provides opportunities to achieve this in one of the following ways: Workstep - supported work Permitted Work Job Coaches Transitions Service A transitions service is available to young disabled school leavers, through Leicestershire County Council s Social Care Services. The Transitions Team offers support around a range of issues, some of which include: Advice and guidance Leisure and social opportunities Employment and voluntary work Benefit advice and changes to benefits Short breaks Community opportunities Community Opportunities Through the provision of community opportunities, people with learning disabilities are offered choice and opportunities about activities they can do in their local community. A range of services are available in the daytime, weekends and evenings, and there is further opportunity to complete more activities in the community. 25

26 Person Centred Planning Integral to the provision of services to those with learning disabilities is the use of person centred planning, which focuses on individual needs and wishes, and how to enable each individual to fulfil their potential and to have a meaningful life. Department of works and pension The Department of works and pensions through the Benefits and Fraud agency provides information, advice and support around benefits and benefit entitlement for everyone. They also provide help and support to people who need help to find work, this includes supporting disabled and older people. They also offer information and guidance around the state pension. Jobcentre Plus Jobcentre Plus helps people find work, get a job and supports them to keep a job. The following are two examples of how they can support people with a learning disability; Disability employment advisors There are Disability Employment advisors who can give people help and support regardless of their situation. They can help you find work or gain new skills even if you have been out of work for a long time, or if you have little or no work experience. Access to work scheme The Access to Work Scheme can help you if your health or disability affects the way you do your job. It gives you and your employer advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of your needs. Access to Work might pay towards the equipment you need at work, adapting premises to meet your needs, or a support worker. It can also pay towards the cost of getting to work if you cannot use public transport. 26

27 If you need a communicator at job interviews, Access to Work may be available too. Work Choice Work Choice is due to replace what was previously known as the Specialist Disability Employment Provision and the Work Preparation and Workstep programmes and the Job Introduction Schemes in the Autumn of It combines the best element of Workstep and Work Preperation programmes. The main aim of Work Choice is to provide a specialist employment service to people with disabilties and their employers and make better use of their employers and resources. Work Choice is aimed specifically at those people with significant disabilities and who can not be helped into employment through Job Centre Plus. Connexions Connexions provide free advice and support on education, training, careers, jobs, health, money, drugs, relationships, benefits, housing and the law. All young people aged 13 to 19 have access to a connexions personal adviser who can give advice, information and arrange expert help if it is needed. Citizens Advice Bureau The Citizens Advice Bureau helps people to resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent & confidential advice and by exercising responsible influence on the development of social policies and services, locally and nationally. Young People s Learning Agency and the Skills and Funding Agency (formally known as the Learning Skills Council) The Young People s Learning Agency is a public body sponsored by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. It supports the delivery of education and training to young people in England. It provides financial support, funds academies for all their provision and supports local authorities in fulfilling their new duties for commissioning, education and training for all year old learners in England. 27

28 The skills funding agency is an agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Their job is to fund and regulate adult further education and skills training in England. They are part of a network of organisations in the country who commission, manage and market training for adults. Their mission is to make sure that people and businesses can access the skills training they need to succeed in playing their part in society and in growing England s economy. Education In Leicestershire there are a range of sixth form colleges, colleges of further education and adult learning opportunities to help people with learning disabilities to acquire the skills needed to find long term suitable employment. Customer First This is the name of a Leicestershire County Council project, which is creating Customer Service Centres for each department which includes the adults and communities department. These Customer Service Centres offer an improved service to customers, resolving enquiries as quickly as possible. It is also the first point of call for all information, advice and enquiry calls. Multi Access Centres Multi access centres are centres that have been set up in local areas to help people access training and work opportunities. They help people by providing information, advice and guidance around employment. In addition, they help people to search for jobs and look at helping them with their interviewing techniques. They also give practical help to people to help them with their confidence levels, improve their English and Maths skills, and advise them on starting their own businesses and doing voluntary work. They also sign post people to the relevant legal, financial and other relevant agencies. 28

29 Jeremy s Story Jeremy lived in Leicestershire and then moved to a residential college out of the county. Whilst he was at college he got his NVQ level 1 in Office Administration and his NPTC level 3 qualifications. He stated I also worked in the office and on the reception at college. Jeremy then returned to live in Leicestershire with his parents and went to Roman Way Community Centre and Harborough Community Opportunities who found him some volunteering placements both at Roman Way and at Voluntary Action South Leicestershire. In December 2006 Jeremy was offered a paid job with Mencap as a learning disability training coordinator for the Advocacy Team at Kimberley House Leicester for 16 hours a week. This job came to an end when funding for it came to an end. Jeremy then attended a college course at Roman Way Community Centre for one year to learn about reception and customer services. He then started work as a receptionist for Roman Way Community Centre in September 2009?? working for two and half hours per week.this proved to be very successful and they have now asked him to apply for a 16 and a half hours per week post. 29

30 4.4 Leicestershire County Council s current expenditure on employment related services Current expenditure on employment schemes (through the Breaking the Barriers Team) and the provision of community opportunities is approximately ten million. Just over half (50.7%) of the ten million is spent on in house community opportunities (day services). For further details of Leicestershire s expenditure on learning disability services see Table below. Table 7: Leicestershire expenditure Service Expenditure In house day services 5, 313, 280 External day services provision 3, 437, 670 Breaking the Barriers 408, 170 Sheltered Employment Schemes 643, 400 Total 9, 802, 520 Employment services for those with learning disabilities is a clear priority, emphasised in the Valuing Employment Now White Paper. Also, the provision of services to support the employment of people with learning disabilities who are in receipt of Adult Social Care Services will be an ongoing priority. Due to the nationwide reduction in Adult Social Care budgets, local authorities need to re-prioritise and focus the funds currently available. In Leicestershire it has been decided that a reduction in funds to support generic employment services will be made and the funds that are available will be focused towards services that support people with learning disabilities who are in receipt of Adult Social Care Services. As part of a wider Council Efficiency Programme, Leicestershire s Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2014 identifies a service reduction for Employment Services of 440k for 2011/12, 720k for 12/13 and 770k for 13/14 ongoing these figures are cumulative. As a result of this the County Council will review investment in the 30

31 Breaking the Barriers Team (a non focused service), to see if such schemes could attract external income, or else become a part of the Community Opportunities provision. The Government has earmarked 4 million pounds to be made available across the regions in order to implement the Valuing Employment Strategy nationally. This funding has now been distributed to a number of local authorities and regional organisations but does not include Leicestershire. 5. Service user, carer and stakeholder views An information provision, engagement and consultation event was held in May 2010 in order to seek the views of all stakeholders about the draft employment strategy. 107 stakeholders from a broad range of multi agency backgrounds which included parents, families and carers and people with learning disabilities came. The following comments were made by all stakeholders which it was felt should be included in the strategy:- Many people with learning disabilities and their parents, families and carers reported that there was a lot of discrimination towards people with learning disabilities in the community. More work needs to be done to reduce discrimination in the community and in the work place for people with learning disabilities. Many people also reported that more emphasis was needed in terms of working with employers to help people with learning disabilities to be given a chance to work and maintain their employment. More awareness raising needs to be done. Many stakeholders commented that more work also needs to be done to help people understand the Personalisation Agenda and Personal Budgets in particular. Employing people to help those with learning disabilities to find a job was an area of particular concern. 31

32 There should be robust Transitions and Person Centred Planning reviews to help people think about work before they leave school. Also, if the have already left school there should be a greater emphasis on getting people back to work. Helping people with learning disabilities to get back into work should not just be about starting at Transitions, it should be across the board. There should be more emphasis on doing additional work around helping people with learning disabilities who have complex needs and who have health care needs to get into employment. Many stakeholders stated that staff and particularly managers needed to show more leadership and if they were fully signed up to the strategy, real progress would be made in terms of increasing the numbers of people with learning disabilities in employment. Some people with learning disabilities don t want to work and would prefer to access community opportunities. Their wishes need to be respected. The following recommendations were made by the stakeholders at the employment event. Many people were very concerned around the whole issue of benefits entitlement and falling into the Benefits Trap. It was suggested that a multi agency better off calculation could have been conducted so that people with learning disabilities and their carers could assess for themselves if they would be better off working or not. There should be good training and high input support for all people with learning disabilities to help them access and maintain employment and make sure they are not set up to fail. Proper risk assessments around people s ability to work and travelling independently should also be completed. There should also be a one stop shop for people with learning disabilities and their carers to go to so that they can get all the 32

33 information, advice and support that they need in terms of finding employment. Job application forms, benefits forms and all other information about employment should be in an accessible format and be made more widely available. Independent travelling and job coaching is very important to help people with learning disabilities to be able to work. There should be more of this available locally. More work needs to be done to look at the barriers to work that people with learning disabilities face and how these can be addressed. Open and honest discussions with employers need to take place to discuss what the concerns are in terms of employing people with learning disabilities. Examples of places that people with learning disabilities are currently employed in would also help other people with learning disabilities and carers see good working examples of disabled people in employment. Employers of people with learning disabilities should be encouraged to speak to other employers about the advantages or the business case of employing people with learning disabilities. There should be trial employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities. Advocacy services should be available to people with learning disabilities to help them find employment. 6. Leicestershire s Strengths and Weaknesses in Employment In order to determine where Leicestershire County Council and its partners need to work in order to increase the number of people with learning disabilities in employment, an analysis of our strengths and weaknesses was undertaken. The following are some of the strengths and weaknesses of the current position in Leicestershire. 33

34 6.1 Strengths 1. The development of Person Centred Reviews in Special Schools from age 14 allows young people to consider what they wish to do in the future and puts the idea of employment on the agenda at an early stage. 2. Historically we have had employment knowledge and expertise through the Breaking the Barriers Team. 3. The development of clear preparation for work models across Community Opportunities Providers. 4. Good engagement with Employers particularly The Cooperative (commonly known as the co-op). 5. A large number of people in volunteering placements. 6.2 Weaknesses 1. The nationwide reductions in Adult Social Care Budgets will have an impact on the money available to support people into employment and will have to be focused towards those who have an assessed need for care and support. 2. So far there has been limited focus specifically on people with learning disabilities. 3. Lack of work up to now in changing attitudes. 4. The sheltered employment schemes have inadvertently stopped people from really being motivated towards open employment and tied up staff time which may have been better used. 5. Greater partnership is needed with organisations that focus on employment. 6. There is no audit trail from contacts with Jobcentre Plus about the number of people with learning disabilities in contact with them seeking employment opportunities and who are then referred on to other organisations. 34

35 7. Our Strategic Objectives and Targets 7.1 Vision The vision of Leicestershire County Council and its partners is: To ensure that people with learning disabilities can find and maintain work. 7.2 Targets The following target for the number of people with learning disabilities in paid employment by 2013 has been set: Leicestershire County Council aims to increase the number of people with learning disabilities into employment by 4% each year and this means we aim to have 66 people with learning disabilities in paid employment by the year Whilst the 4% target appears to be relatively modest, in the current climate of reduced public sector budgets, this is a realistic and achievable target. Leicestershire County Council and its partners will endeavour to try and exceed this target. 7.3 Objectives: How we achieve our vision In order to achieve the vision and target given above, Leicestershire County Council will work to achieve the following high level objectives: Working with all stakeholders in order to change people s attitudes towards employing people with learning disabilities in employment and raising aspirations. Developing skills and training for people with learning disabilities. Enabling people from black and minority groups, people with autistic spectrum conditions, people with profound and multiple learning disabilities 35

36 and people who are ex offenders to be supported to gain meaningful employment. Working to help people with learning disabilities and health needs to gain employment. Creating an environment where people are encouraged to consider work as an option using person-centred planning tools (e.g. Person Centred Plans). 7.4 Action plan for how our vision will be achieved The actions that Leicestershire partners will seek to implement in order to meet the vision and objectives listed above are given in Table 8. 36

37 Table 8: Action plan Objective Working with all stakeholders in order to change people s attitudes towards employing people with learning disabilities in employment and raising aspirations. Developing skills and training for people with learning disabilities. Action 1. For public bodies such as Leicestershire County Council, Health and District Councils to set an example by engaging with relevant disability forums and actively looking to retain their employment of and accessibility to employment for people with learning disabilities 2. Working with Schools and Transitions services to enable children and young people to think about work before they leave school. 3. Increasing knowledge and awareness of employment issues and opportunities amongst other supporters, so that they will positively encourage people to think about work (e.g. carers, housing providers). 4. To proactively seek out and engage with employers in Leicestershire around the positive options to enable them to employ people who have a learning disability and sustain that employment. 1. Increasing the number of vocational courses available to people with learning disabilities at local colleges. 2. To ensure that we have good voluntary work providers and supported work providers and job coaches to enable more people with learning disabilities to have good experiences of working with employers as a stepping stone to moving into paid 37

38 Ensuring all people with learning disabilities (including those from black and minority groups, people with autistic spectrum conditions, people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, people who are ex offenders and people with health problems) are supported by a relevant agency to gain meaningful employment. employment. 3. To ensure we work with all key stakeholders to enable people with learning disabilities to have access to more Saturday Jobs so that they can also have a stepping stone experience to the world of future full time paid employment. 4. To map current work training projects, social firms, social enterprises and micro enterprises in Leicestershire in order to determine where further development is needed. 5. Providing relevant written information and advice to potential employers of people with learning disabilities. 1. Creating a pathway which guides people with learning disabilities to access training and employment, including self employment, which is appropriate to each person s individual needs. 2. Ensuring people with mild learning disabilities who are not eligible for community care services are redirected or sign posted to our Customer first centre, and other agencies such as Jobcentre Plus and the Disability Employment Advisers. 3. Sharing local expertise in enabling this client group to move into employment with agencies such as Customer first, Jobcentre Plus and Disability Employment Advisers. 4. Sharing expertise gained by Breaking the Barriers Team with community opportunity providers and agencies (see above). This is to ensure that this knowledge and expertise gained by the Breaking the Barriers Team over the course of many years is not lost. 38