Supported employment and study programmes for people with a learning disability Linsay McCulloch

2. Supported employment and study programmes for people with a learning disabilityLinsay McCulloch

3. Supported employment and study programmes for people with a learning disability • Mencap as a provider • Mencap as an employer • Tips for making it work

4. Mencap as a provider We support about 10,000 people with a learning disability each year We have been supporting people into paid work for over 40 years Funded through local authorities, DWP, charitable funding……and now ESFA

5. Mencap as a provider Supported employment programmes Work experience Supported Internships Traineeships Apprenticeships

6. Mencap as a provider The government’s aspiration is to halve the employment disability gap over the next 10 years. To achieve that for people with a learning disability would mean getting 120,000 additional people into work.

7. Mencap as a provider … so partnership work is key. • Working with schools and colleges to share good practice • Working with public sector to address apprenticeship targets • Working with other providers on campaigns • Working to scale up our employer engagement strategy – targeting sectors/regions

8. Mencap as an employer We know there are employer benefits: • Reduced staff turnover and fewer absences from work • Staff who are hardworking and reliable. • A more diverse, inclusive workplace. • An enhanced reputation for the organisation. • A positive impact on staff morale. • A workforce which is loyal to, and proud of, their employer. • Untapped labour market – important post-Brexit

9. Mencap as an employer • Aim to increase the proportion of our learning disabled workforce – changes in recruitment • Internal apprenticeship programme – 19 apprentices this year • Learning disabled spokespeople

10. Tips for making it work • Work trials or even traineeships instead of interviews • Job carving • Employers - you’re not alone – get support from a provider! • Access to Work

11. Employers say… “We’ve gained as much out of our work experience candidates as we hope they have from us. The people who have come to us have performed impressively and Mencap’s employability consultants have been exceptional in supporting us throughout.” Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP – Raj Panasar, partner

12. Employers say… “Thomas is a fantastic addition to the team and has a very positive impact on our staff; boosting morale and raising awareness of what a person with a learning disability can achieve” Legoland – Gemma Smith, recruitment specialist

13. Thomas’s story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrsvQ3-M6jQ

14. Contact: Linsay.mcculloch@mencap.org.uk 07908 473092