From Institutions to Independence - through

Employment.

24th Jan 2011

Mark Hodges

Development Manager

Pluss

What is Learning Disability?• Learning Disabilities are a variety of disorders that affect the acquisition, retention, understanding or use of information• Cognitive impairment caused at birth or in an individuals formative years (under the age of 5)• Previously known as mental handicap or retardation• Learning Disability is not a mental illness

• People with Learning Disability are intelligent and have abilities to learn despite difficulties in processing information (may find it difficult or take longer to learn)

• People with Learning Disability may require additional support and / or assistance in order to maximise their potential

Pluss

History of Learning Disability Employment provision in UK?

• Similar timeline as with Toms previous presentation

• Pre industrial revolution -“idiots” (but included in society)• Hospitals / large institutions (Starcross - 1500 people!)• Segregation / Treatment / Medical model• Closure programme of institutions (70s onwards) • Development of Community Care (70 / 80s onwards)• Development of Social Model (ATCs etc)• Systematic Training & “try another way” in US (70s +) • Development of Supported Employment in UK (80s +)

• 2011 Supported Employment continues to evolve ….

Pluss

Different terms & models… Assessment & rehabilitation Vocational training

Sheltered Workshops Work experience

Wage subsidies Sheltered businesses

Work Crews Enclaves

Welfare To Work Intermediate labour Market

Self Employment Social Firms Social Enterprise Customised Employment

Supported Employment …

Pluss

What is Supported Employment?

Paid employment, in community jobs, with individuals, with ongoing support for long term success, with clear opportunity for ongoing integration & interaction with

people who do not have disabilities in the workplace.

(Diploma in Supported Employment 1998)

A method of providing support to people with disabilities or other disadvantaged groups to secure and maintain paid employment in the open labour market.

(European Union of Supported Employment 2005)

Pluss

Features of Supported Employment

• Job Seeker Vocational Profiling / Discovery

• Employer profiling / Work Place Analysis / Task Analysis

• Marketing (identify, anticipate & meet customers needs)

• Training (in situ through the “Place – Train” model)

• Identification & use of Natural Supports

• Fading / withdrawal

• Ongoing support

7 phase Sequence

1.Natural Ways

2.Natural means

3.Natural People

4.Facilitate/Train

5.Support/substitute/Assist

6.Reconsider Natural Means

7.ReconsiderNatural ways

If not successful

If not successful

If not successful

Successful acquisition

7 Phase Sequence

• Essential tool for organising and planning

• Holistic approach to the job, the tasks, culture, learning and problem solving

• Balances naturalness and individual need

• Ensures natural drives training decisions

• Designed to be flexible with emphasis on enquiry and negotiation

• 1-4 Bias to natural

• 5-7 back up for Individual need

Marc Gold & Associates

Having a job offers much more than just an income.

It offers independence, dignity and self esteem.

Employment should be available to everyone.

Pluss

Why Work?

Work is important – its not just about earning money.

Work helps people to make new relationships and take part in communities.

Many people with Learning disability want to work, and can work in real jobs, with real pay.

But, not enough people with learning disability get real paid jobs.

Pluss

What is work ?

Everyone can work IF they get the right support.

Services should support anyone with a learning disability who wants to work.

Nobody should be left out.

People should get support whatever their disabilities, health care needs or behaviours that are challenging.

Pluss

Everyone should have a chance to work

The average employment rate is about 75%

Nationally about 48% of people with a disability or long term health condition are in paid work

Nationally and locally only about 7% (or less) of people with a learning disability are known to be in paid work

The Valuing Employment Now plan is to close the gap!

Pluss

Some statistics…

1. Grow the assumption of employability & raise expectations

2. Joint working to create individual paths to employment

3. Better work preparation at school, college and adult learning

4. The role of personal budgets & social care

5. Increasing high quality job coaching

6. Clear up confusion about Benefits system

7. Promote self employment

Pluss

Valuing Employment Now delivery plan:

8. The need for employers to see the good business case

9. Transport to get to work

10. Addressing the barriers with where people live

11. Employment for the most excluded adults with learning disabilities

12. People with learning disabilities and their families leading the way

13. Batter data and performance management

Pluss

Valuing Employment Now Delivery Plan

- 3 year national cross government project

-12 sites across England

- 2 involving Pluss at Torbay and Somerset

- Aims to identify what needs to happen to ensure that young people with severe learning disabilities leave education and then go on to achieve paid employment and lead full lives

- Emphasis on Transitioning

- Emphasis on Partnership working between agencies

- Final report to follow in March 2011

Pluss

Getting A Life project…

- Campaign with a focus on Public Sector employers to lead through good practice to recruit & retain a diverse workforce including people with learning disabilities (and to reap the good business arguments that result!)

- Employer driven…

- Attract !

- Select !

- Employ !

- Various public sector organisations have participated including local councils, hospitals, and others

(Anne O’Bryan, Employers Forum on Disability and others including Pluss)

Pluss

Valued In Public

Presumption of employment for everybody

Valuing Employment Now / National & Local Strategy

Harsh economic climate / financial austerity measures

Importance of wise commissioning & good quality delivery

Risks to good practice

Transitioning

The continued evolution of Social Enterprise, Self Employment & Supported Employment

New initiatives e.g. Project SEARCH – link to Anne O’Bryan and afternoon visit to Derriford Hospital

Pluss

Summary…

Plymouth Project SEARCH