Written by Ann H
Work is an important part of life for everyone. I have been lucky. I have had a varied working life. As an Adult nurse working in a variety of settings, as a Learning Disability Community Nurse and finally involved in teaching the next generation of nurses. As part of that I have been involved in the Approval and Monitoring of University programmes. Work has been such an important part of my life. It gave me the opportunity to make friends and meet people. As I grew professionally, my self-esteem and confidence grew, and it gave me the means financially not to have to worry too much about money. Although at times life was very stressful, working generally kept my mental health on an even keel. Since I retired, I have returned as a Visiting Lecturer working as appropriate, which for me has been very positive.
Why have I told you all this?
I think for many people, work is an important part of their lives. But for many people with a learning disability there is not such an opportunity for this. Mencap has recently highlighted an issue relating to the number of adults with learning disability who are in paid employment.[i] The findings from Mencap show that only 6% of adults in England with a learning disability, who are known to their local authority, are in paid work. This compares with 76% of the general population in the same age group are in paid work[ii]. Worse still, is that the number of people with a learning disability in paid work has dropped greatly in recent years. In 2008, Emerson and Hatton[iii] reported that 17% of adults with a learning disability were in paid employment. It is very disappointing that the situation has deteriorated so much.
There is also evidence that 54% of people with a learning disability, suffer from mental health issues such as depression[iv], which being employed may help reduce.
Why are there fewer employment opportunities for people with a learning disability?
There are several reasons why the numbers of people with a learning disability in employment are low. People may have a lack of expectation that they can get a job. Individuals may also have low expectations of themselves and what their abilities really are. There have been changes in day provision which may have impacted on this. When I worked as a Community Learning Disability Nurse In the distant past, day centres had an ‘industrial area’ where work-based skills were developed. Those who attended the centres would be engaged in a range of crafts such as making trays or stools which were then sold. In another part of the centre, industrial work took place for example attaching tops to containers. Participants got paid a small sum of money. This type of day service was gradually replaced with the development of more social skills. Current thinking on day provision is much more about integrating learning disabled people into ‘normal’ society. The result being now, since the days of Covid, that many people are left at home, while structured day provision is only available for people with very complex needs. This means a huge number of people are not doing anything.
What can be done to help people with a learning disability into employment?
Those who are able, need support in finding appropriate working opportunities. Organisations need advice and training to understand the needs of individuals with a learning disability, and the positive outcomes that they can provide to their workforce. Covid may have had an impact. Not only do people need skills to work in the workplace, there may be a need for digital skills training so some can work from home. Employers may not feel they have the time or the staff to support learning disabled people and Personal Assistants may not be welcome because of Covid precautions.
What are BuDS doing in this area?
BuDS offers the Reach4Work programme to help disabled people into the workforce. This type of programme is perhaps a start in improving the disheartening statistics of work opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
This is a personal blog by a BuDS volunteer/member or staff/supporter. The views expressed are personal and don’t necessarily represent those of BuDS or our Trustees
[i] Employment services | Mencap
[ii] ONS 2019
[iii] Emerson and Hatton 2008
[iv] Mentalhealth.org.uk