Worcester man with learning disabilities gets his first taste of the workplace

And according to Mencap - a UK charity for people with a learning disability – many more people with learning disabilities could be employed as 80 per cent of those of working age have a mild or moderate learning disability.

This week is Learning Disability Week and the theme this year is employment. Mencap wants to raise awareness of the benefits of employing people with a learning disability.

The charity says one in 50 (about 1.5 million) people in the UK has a learning disability and they tend to take longer to learn and may need a more structured approach to develop new skills than others, understand complicated information and interact with other people.

The type of support they need, when it comes to work, depends on the individual e.g. one person may only need help with drafting a job application and at interview but others may need help to match their skills and physical abilities to a job they can do. They may need a job coach to give more intensive training in the workplace initially to help them meet the employer’s work quality criteria.

Mencap says: “It’s important to remember that with the right support, most people with a learning disability in the UK can lead independent lives at home and in work.”

The charity adds that there are many good reasons and benefits for employers taking on someone with a learning disability. A 2017 Reliabilities of Workers study revealed people with a learning disability stayed in their job three and a half times longer than their non-disabled co-workers.

While employers have reported people with a learning disability are often dedicated to their job and reduce staff turnover. This helps cut down recruitment costs for employers.

In a number of studies, employees with a disability have been rated higher than those without a disability in terms of attendance and punctuality.

According to Mencap’s “Good for Business - the benefits of employing people with a learning disability” brochure, a number of studies have found that employing people with a disability can help to increase staff morale, which can have a positive contribution on the work output of an organisation.

Also, employing people with a learning disability can promote diversity in the workplace and can help a company to maintain a positive reputation for corporate social responsibility. While some research suggests that a positive public reaction to a company employing people with a disability can help to improve profits.

In one large study, 92 per cent of consumers interviewed felt more favourable towards companies that hired people with disabilities and 87per cent of them specifically agreed that they would prefer to give their business to companies that hire people with disabilities.

To access the guide visit https://www.mencap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2017-06/2017.080.1%20LDW%202017%20guide%20DIGITAL%20V2.pdf and for more information on Learning Disability Week, visit: https://www.mencap.org.uk/get-involved/learning-disability-week-2017

Case study

Worcester’s Terry Bridger, aged 29, has a learning disability and has been getting his first taste of work due to help from his support workers at city-based housing and care provider Sanctuary Group.

Terry used to live with his parents until moving into Sanctuary Supported Living (SSL) accommodation at Hazel Court, St John’s, in November 2015 following a referral from Worcester City Council.

In addition to receiving support with medication, taking trips out and general prompts to remember tasks and chores, SSL staff assisted Terry to find volunteer placements with the two organisations to help provide a sense of purpose.

He now volunteers at Wildgoose Rural Training based at Top Barn Farm, near Holt Heath, Worcester, where he started in May 2016 and the Scope charity shop in St Swithin’s Street, Worcester, where he began in February this year.

Terry volunteers twice a week at each venue – a total of about 15 hours - and, with enough experience under his belt, may be able to look towards paid employment. SSL has seen some of its clients with learning disabilities move into paid work with the help of support workers and voluntary work placements.

When Terry attends the Scope (the disability charity) shop, he stocks shelves, sorts through donations and sell raffle tickets, while his time at Wildgoose Rural Training is helping him develop skills in farming, animal care, gardening and cooking. Both placements help to improve his communications and confidence.

Terry said: “I love working at Scope because I get to meet new people, and I like to help people.”

SSL service manager Sara Brown said: “Terry first came to Hazel Court after moving out of his parents’ home, both of whom felt he would benefit from more independent accommodation.

“Taking on work experience in this manner has been a great benefit to him as it’s kept him occupied, motivated and allowed him to learn about things that interest him while helping the community. It’s been fantastic to see him so ready and willing to engage.”

• Hazel Court offers 14 purpose-built apartments providing housing and support for adults with learning disabilities. Staff are on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that each individual receives the support and help they need to live as independently as possible.

• The supported living accommodation provides an opportunity for residents to integrate into a brand new community with access to a range of services close by.

• NHS England yesterday announced it is investing more than £10 million to help patients with a learning disability, autism or both lead more independent lives, closer to their friends and family.

• The funding will support 14 local Transforming Care Partnerships – made up of NHS organisations, local authorities and NHS England commissioners, working closely with people who use services, their families and providers – to develop new, high-quality, community services for people in their area.