2023-02-09 15:28:41
Learning disability charity Hft celebrates the success of its supported employment programmes
Among adults with learning disabilities, only 4.8% currently have a paid job as a result of significant barriers to accessing employment such as a lack of support and the negative attitudes of employers. National learning disability charity, Hft, and DFN Project SEARCH are hoping to improve this through their partnership and are already seeing great success.
Hft is currently working with DFN Project SEARCH, a year-long transition to work scheme for young adults with a learning disability or autism, on a number of programmes across England and Wales. Together, they are helping bridge the gap between education and employment by creating supported employment internships in varied sectors across the UK.
At DFN Project SEARCH’s latest annual conference, held recently at Gulliver’s Theme Park in South Yorkshire, two of Hft’s programmes won an award for ‘Outcomes of 100% achieved’, with 100% of interns graduating from the programmes.
The two winners were Lancashire County Council run in partnership with Preston College, and Hockney run in partnership with Bradford College, with six interns involved across both programmes. The interns all undertook a variety of roles from warehouse operations to retail work, with four of the six interns returning the following year for a second year of the supported internship due to Covid restrictions limiting their opportunities in their first year.
Julie Hackett, Project SEARCH Coordinator at Bradford College says, “Lockdown working was challenging for staff on the programme and was even more difficult for the Interns. We had a lot of work to do to get everyone back into employment mode when we returned. Everyone on the programme worked so hard to build up their skills in difficult circumstances.
“The placement opportunity that was secured was over an hour travelling each way. This didn’t daunt them at all and they soon became confident enough to do this journey without staff support. Their hard work and determination paid off so it was a great pleasure to accept the 100% award on their behalf.”
The second of the two programmes that received this award, Lancashire County Council programme, is notably in its fifth year. The council has adapted its accessible process to support the internal recruitment of interns, allowing the host business to recruit talented individuals who have demonstrated sound employability skills and ensuring interns have an accessible recruitment programme.
They are also continuing to develop their placement opportunities so interns can consistently develop their skills ready for the world of work in the wider community.
Bryony Dolby, National Programme Co-ordinator at Hft, says, “It is amazing to see the success of these two programmes and have them gain the recognition they deserve at Project SEARCH’s latest conference. We have previously seen similar success with other programmes and have a 75% employment outcome rate for all of our sites for the 2020-2021 academic year. We hope to continue this success in the future.
“Supported internship schemes such as DFN Project SEARCH are incredibly important when it comes to breaking down barriers to employment for adults with learning disabilities, and allowing interns to achieve their employment related goals.”
Find out more about our work with Project SEARCH here.
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
