Adults with learning disability in paid employment
The council would like to see an increase in the number of people with a lifelong disability who gain and retain paid or self-employment and have set a target to improve our performance for people with a learning disability.
March 2021 performance
We recognise that more work needs to be undertaken
to improve the number of people with a learning disability in work in West
Sussex. The measure is intended to improve the employment outcomes for people
with long-term learning disability support, reducing the risk of social
exclusion. There is a strong link between employment and enhanced quality of
life, including evidenced benefits for health and wellbeing and financial
benefits. As only those customers who have had a review in the past twelve
months are counted, and there remains a backlog of reviews, a number of people
could be missed in the count.
Access to the supported employment service is direct and many customers are also supported by My Network Plus or do not have personal budgets. Therefore, they would not be counted in this indicator.
Sourcing
employment for adults with a learning disability in West Sussex remains
challenging for the following reasons:
- Covid-19 has impacted: the local economy, for example job postings declined by 30%; the economically active, 1/3rd of population impacted; and an increase in number of people claiming benefits 130-158%, most markedly in young adults.
- The Council’s investment in employment support has not historically resulted in a significant improvement as investment has been used to prevent and delay people from having long-term services rather than targeting those in receipt of long-term services.
- WSCC has limited influence on the number of vacancies employers can offer; Local employers have limited vacancies; Many employers are not offering work experience in the Pandemic;
- There are limited opportunities for people with a Learning Disability at a level which meets the eligibility criteria for long term support;
- Many of the 18-25 cohort are still in education;
- Recruitment has moved online during the Pandemic and there is a lack of digital skills or equipment for people with a learning disability;
- Employment advisers have had less face to face contact with employers;
- Colleges have paused Supported Internship Programmes; Some learning disability customers have stopped engaging due to anxiety around COVID;
- Families have requested to put employment support on hold due concerns around the coronavirus.
What
actions are being taken to bring it back on track next year?
- The commissioned supported employment service is working to mitigate this through work with employers and resuming face to face contact.
- The Making a Difference programme has started running across the Coast to Capital region
- The number of SEND Job Clubs will increase from 2 to 4 in 2021/22.
- The Digital Lifeline project, being led by the Library Service and joined up with Aspire, will increase the number of people with a learning disability with access to SMART devices and digital support.
- Input into the Transition to adulthood processes and information provided to make sure employment is championed at all stages.