‘More can be done to help adults with learning disabilities’
THE BOROUGH council has praised the number of borough adults with learning disabilities with paid jobs.
But Nic Lander, founder of the Kimel Foundation, said more can be done by working together.
His charity supports young people with autism through education and employment, with an aim to help more neurodivergent people stay in paid work.
Last week, Wokingham Borough Council and Optalis announced that Wokingham had ranked number one in the southeast and number two in the country for the proportion of adults with learning disability in paid employment, according to the Adult Social Cares Outcomes Framework.
It has risen from third in the country last year, and there are ambitions to reach top place next year.
David Birch, chief executive of Optalis said he is delighted that 19.3% of adults with
learning disabilities have a job.
He said: “Despite all of the obstacles that covid has placed in our way over the last year, the team has worked incredibly hard to keep the service safe for our residents to use. Families have needed some reassurance, but we have successfully kept every customer safe throughout the pandemic.”
Donna Morgans, head of supported employment services said that they work with more than 90 employers in the area.
“Everyone can achieve their career aspirations if they are
provided with the right support and are matched to the right job,” she said.
Nationally, the number of people with learning disabilities in paid employment has dropped from 5.9% to 5.1%.
Mr Lander said that 50% of autistic people do not have a learning disability and are not included in the statistics.
But they may need support. “The ONS claims that only 22% of autistics are in any kind of employment,” he said. “In an article published in June for Austin Spectrum news, it is claimed that the reason for the low employment rate is largely due to employer ignorance and lack of proper support.
“None of those having their employment terminated was due to incompetence, stealing, negligence or absenteeism, the common causes of termination. The most common reason was ‘it just wasn’t working out’.”
Mr Lander said that more needs to be done.
“It is not enough to support someone into employment,” he said. “These people need support and validation. That is what will produce long term positive results.
“We are hearing of increasing numbers of tribunal cases being brought against employers for failing to support individuals as required under the 2010 Equality Act, and Kimel seeks to help employers avoid a costly day in court.”
He said that his charity welcomes working with all potential partners to achieve these aims.
“As a father of three neurodivergent daughters, I know only too well the challenges faced,” he added.
The Kimel Foundation runs a 12-week programme that focuses on personal development, with six weeks of job coaching.
It works in collaboration with the employer to find jobs that are right for everyone.
The company has also developed an app that keeps communication flowing between employer, the young person, and the foundation.