2023-03-03 10:40:17
Learning disabled charity calls for improved provision of supported internships
Hft, the national learning disability charity, has welcomed the Government’s commitment to double the number of supported internships in its SEND improvement plan, published yesterday, ‘as a step in the right direction’ but adds that it would like to see improved provision for follow-on support to enable learning disabled people to stay in paid employment.
“As an employment support provider, we know the importance of providing the right support for learning disabled adults while they are in work to ensure they can stay in their job. However, this kind of support is patchy and hard to access,” says Kirsty Matthews, Chief Executive of Hft.
“The proportion of people with a learning disability in work has remained at around 5% for too long, and it is clear that more needs to be done to support people with a learning disability to move into, and stay in work,” she adds.
The plan reiterates the Government’s commitment to double the number of supported internships by 2025, a step welcomed by Hft.
“As an effective model of employment support, we also believe that supported internships should be available to all adults with a learning disability who want to move into work. We encourage the Government to look into routes and funding so learning disabled adults over the age of 25 can also benefit from supported internships.
“In addition, we would like the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process to be streamlined. Within our supported internship programme, DFN Project Search, we have people applying for the programme who would benefit from the programme, but who haven’t got an EHCP and therefore aren’t eligible for funding and not able to participate.
“If the EHCP process was easier, it would be really beneficial to ensure nobody falls through a gap and misses an opportunity to access crucial support.”
Hft recently called for the Government to improve transparency of employers and their disability data, and for greater funding for supported internships as part of its new campaign, Voices for Our Future, which launched in Parliament on 21 February.
One of those who has joined the campaign is Erin O’Donnell, a graduate of DFN Project SEARCH, and current Hft staff member. She says: “There is a stigma around employing people with a learning disability. Too often, changes that make workplaces inclusive aren’t made. It feels as though some employers just don’t give people with a learning disability a chance.
“[But] just because you have a learning disability or autism doesn’t mean you can’t have a job or be a valuable member of a team.”
Concludes Ms Matthews: “We would like to see people with a learning disability receive the right support so they can find and keep fulfilling meaningful work, where they receive the same wage as others doing the same job.”
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
