Open up jobs to young people with learning disabilities

Rebecca Lawthom highlights research showing that this group wants and needs to work.

[I]n April 2019, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) organised a round-table to discuss a new report* they have published that explores barriers for people with learning disabilities.

Based on extensive research, it highlights the dwindling government support for children with Special Education Needs/Disabilities (SEND). Pupil-funding across England has been cut by 17%, with the North face even larger cuts of 22%.

Research carried out in an ESRC funded project by Professor Katherine Runswick-Cole, Professor Daniel Goodley (currently University of Sheffield) and myself, played a big part in contributing to that report. In our project ‘Big Society? Disabled People with Learning Disabilities and Civil Society’ ( https://bigsocietydis.wordpress.com/), we explored opportunities available for disabled people with learning disabilities (LD) for contributing to and benefitting from the Big Society.

“Lack of funding highlights how they have been marked by the impact of austerity.”  

Pay and importance of work examined

Drawn from interaction and co-production with organizations led by disabled people, the research looked into how people with the label of ‘learning difficulties’ were doing in the so-called ‘Big Society’. For instance, it examined how they were paid for their time at work and the importance of that work to them. It explored the impact on such citizens when they want to work but do not have access to a job? The report also delved into self-advocacy and participation in society.

The main findings from these two reports show that young people who are eligible for SEND want to work and to have a connection to a place and community. The reports also highlight the importance of self-advocacy as an enabler.

“We call for a rethink in policy and additional investment in SEND support services.”

Austerity hit this group hard

Lack of funding highlights how these children and adults have been marked by the impact of austerity – services have been cut and the idea of being involved in society rests on work and community participation.

Expanding on our work, IPPR looked further into the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that is meant to cover young adults up to 25 and SEND provision. Their reports find a shortage of funding.

Recommendations around our research and the IPPR report call for a rethink in policy and additional investment in SEND support services.

*IPPR report https://www.ippr.org/files/2019-04/plans-that-work-april19.pdf

Rebecca Lawthom is Professor of Community Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University.