LEARNING DISABILITY WALES CONFERENCE WHAT WORKS IN WALES? Date: 10 July Venue: Futures Inn, Hemingway Rd, Cardiff Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology - Presentation The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology welcomed the opportunity to share with the conference how Welsh Government policies are helping young people and adults into employment, and how these policies are having a positive effect on their lives. The Minister shared the actions the Welsh Government is taking to ensure young disabled people are being assisted into employment and outlined some of the support and practical assistance available in Wales to help young disabled people into work:
Additional Learning Support funding: This support can be drawn down for young people accessing Traineeships (for 16-18 year olds), Work-Ready (for adults 18+) and the Apprenticeship Programme (all age) to assist with the training aspects of the programme.
Traineeships: In addition, Traineeships removed the maximum duration of time a learner can spend on the programme, and linked activities to experience in work, rather than formal qualifications, for disabled people and those with learning difficulties.
Jobs Growth Wales (JGW): One strand of support available through JGW is the Third sector strand. Delivered primarily through the Third sector, it is there to assist those young people requiring a more supported environment as they enter the labour market for the first time.
Employer Support Grant: A wage subsidy scheme for organisations offering new employment opportunities to former disabled staff from Remploy. Latest figures show that over two thirds of former Remploy workers have now found new jobs with support from this grant and more approved posts are in the pipe line.
Youth Engagement and Progression Framework (launched in 2013): Local Authorities will have responsibility for implementing the framework, which streamlines the education and employment pathway following compulsory education. This includes support for young people with additional needs. Two key measures within the Framework are worthy of mention: o
The identification of a lead worker: Operating a coordinating role, this offer will be made to the most at-risk young people to help ensure that support is delivered and needs are being met. This ensures that particular attention can be paid to young people with additional needs or who may have additional barriers, such as learning difficulties or disabilities, looked after children, care leavers, young carers, teenage parents, and young people who have committed offences.
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Youth Guarantee in Wales: From October 2015 all young people aged 16 leaving compulsory education can expect an offer, acceptance and commencement of a suitable place in education or training.
The Framework and Guarantee will highlight where there are gaps in provision and where additional resources should be channelled to ensure all young people, including those who are disabled, have an offer of future support post 16.
Autistic Spectrum Disorder Strategic Action Plan for Wales (published 2008) ASD Plan: o Grants have been made available via this Plan to support discrete projects to help people with autism develop employability skills and provide support in finding employment, including informal support and signposting for people with Asperger’s Syndrome and High Functioning Autism. o Since 2010 - Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Director of the Institute of Directors Wales - has worked as the ASD Employment Ambassador, raising awareness of autism amongst large employers and helping to promote the benefits of employing people with autism. This includes the development of an Autism Anchor Companies project - supported by Admiral Insurance and the Welsh Government. The Welsh Government is currently refreshing the ASD Plan and it will be published for public consultation later this year. Employment has been identified as a priority for action in the plan and discussions are underway across the Welsh Government to explore how mainstream employment projects can support specific needs of adults with autism.
Framework for Action on Independent Living: Promotes the rights of disabled people in Wales and enables their full participation in society. It sets out the actions that we are taking across Welsh Government departments and with our external partners. Employment is also included as a key priority in the framework. The Framework recognises that as well as promoting independence, being in work can help improve confidence, health and well-being, and provide a route out of poverty. Disabled people can also benefit enormously from the social aspects of employment.
The Framework recognises that wider factors like the availability of public transport, access to buildings and the attitudes of employers and other staff can make a huge difference to employment opportunities for disabled people.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) support: o Access to Work: This is a fund that can be used to make modifications to the workplace for disabled people amongst other things. o Work Choice: This is an employment programme that supports disabled people and those with long term health issues who face real barriers when it comes to finding and keeping work. This programme is also voluntary. Page 2 of 3
o Want to Work: Funded by the Welsh Government European funds and the DWP, Want to Work is specifically designed to support economically inactive people move closer to or back into work and is based on an individual assessment of a participant’s needs
Employment Outcomes for Young People with Autistic Spectrum Disorders: this report has provided officials with a better understanding of the nature and extent of employment outcomes and barriers to employment for young people with ASD living in Wales.
The report’s recommendations will provide officials with direction on how to better respond to the specific needs of this group of young people. Welsh Government officials are working together in consultation across government departments to take forward the recommendations outlined in the report.
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