Working for a change? The same as you?
Prologue: 5 years from now
The vision of the short-life working group on employment.
2008: Every young person with a learning disability leaving school this year has had work experience in a mainstream workplace.
Each young person with a learning disability has a plan for where next, and for most people that includes paid employment. Agencies and employers work together effectively to provide continuity and person-centred support on and off the job.
50% of adults with a learning disability are now in paid employment, including people with high support needs, people from ethnic minorities and people aged over 50. Everyone in work is better off than if they were not working.
The Scottish Executive has established a National Centre for Support in Employment which provides back-up expertise to local supported employment agencies, employers and policy-makers.
People working in the supported employment field have a good framework for training and career development. Funding for supported employment is long-term and mainstreamed.
There is an annual 'diversity audit' for all employers over a certain size, which has the effect of specifically encouraging the employment of people with a learning disability.
The 'Additional Support for Working' Act has set out a clear framework of rights and responsibilities, and has rationalised the various schemes and subsidies through a single 'Additional Support for Working' grant.
The Scottish Executive, NHS, local authorities and other public bodies have used their procurement and grant-making policies to ensure that attention is always paid to employing a diverse workforce, and this is now becoming an everyday part of good employment practice.
Each local authority has a co-ordinated approach in its Community Plan for employment for people with learning disabilities.
Employers are confident in their ability to recruit and manage employees with a learning disability as part of their workforce, and they can get practical advice and hands-on help with any problems they can't manage themselves. They pay the going rate for the job. Co-workers provide 'natural supports'.
People with a learning disability, like everyone else, have an expectation of employment. They no longer just have wishes and dreams.