Written Question · S4W-15201 · Session 4
How it supports the employment of young people with learning disabilities and other additional support requirements in supported businesses…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the employment of young people with learning disabilities and other additional support requirements in supported businesses and how this will be affected by the forthcoming learning disability strategy.
The answer
The Scottish Government recognises that staying in learning post-school is the best way for all young people to develop the skills and knowledge that they need to compete in the world of work wherever possible. Through opportunities for all, every 16-19 year old in Scotland who is not currently in employment, education or training will be offered a place in learning or training should they want it.
It is our ambition that, with the right support, young people with learning disabilities who want to work, are able to find work in mainstream employment, suitable to their skills. Supported employment, where disabled people learn on the job, with support from colleagues and a job coach can play an important role in this. Local authorities across Scotland offer supported employment services to all disabled people, including those with learning disabilities and additional support needs.
This government is currently providing funding to the Scottish consortium for learning disability to develop project search, an employability transition programme aiming to support young people with learning disabilities into sustainable employment. It is currently being developed in nine sites across eight local authority areas in Scotland with more sites coming on board this year.
We believe that supported business has a valuable role to play and that they should increasingly be used as a stepping stone towards mainstream employment. The findings of an independent review of Scotland’s supported businesses, commissioned by Scottish Government, will help to strengthen the long term viability of these businesses and make them become more attractive to young people with learning disabilities.
Our new national learning disability strategy, The Keys to Life, will be launched on 13 June 2013. It will encourage that by 2018 the learning disability implementation group works with local authorities, NHS boards and third sector organisations to develop a range of supported employment opportunities and that those organisations should lead by example by employing more people with learning disabilities.
It is our ambition that, with the right support, young people with learning disabilities who want to work, are able to find work in mainstream employment, suitable to their skills. Supported employment, where disabled people learn on the job, with support from colleagues and a job coach can play an important role in this. Local authorities across Scotland offer supported employment services to all disabled people, including those with learning disabilities and additional support needs.
This government is currently providing funding to the Scottish consortium for learning disability to develop project search, an employability transition programme aiming to support young people with learning disabilities into sustainable employment. It is currently being developed in nine sites across eight local authority areas in Scotland with more sites coming on board this year.
We believe that supported business has a valuable role to play and that they should increasingly be used as a stepping stone towards mainstream employment. The findings of an independent review of Scotland’s supported businesses, commissioned by Scottish Government, will help to strengthen the long term viability of these businesses and make them become more attractive to young people with learning disabilities.
Our new national learning disability strategy, The Keys to Life, will be launched on 13 June 2013. It will encourage that by 2018 the learning disability implementation group works with local authorities, NHS boards and third sector organisations to develop a range of supported employment opportunities and that those organisations should lead by example by employing more people with learning disabilities.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-15201 by reference.