Adults with learning disabilities and autism to be supported through new employment scheme

Norfolk adults with learning disabilities or autism are to receive dedicated employment support as part of a new government backed scheme.

Norfolk County Council's successful bid to the Department for Work and Pensions means that it is one of 24 local authorities in England and Wales to take part in the Local Supported Employment (LSE) initiative.

Norfolk will receive £210,000 to implement the scheme, recruiting three job coaches to support those seeking work, with help on and off the job.

The scheme will include employer engagement and vocational profiling and use the internationally recognised Place, Train and Maintain model, supporting the employee at each stage.

Cllr Bill Borrett, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "It has always been our ambition that adults with learning disabilities and autism to have the very best chance to live independent lives, by accessing the many positive opportunities they can experience in the workplace. This successful bid for extra funding means we are able to support 60 adults with dedicated job coaches, as well as encouraging businesses to enjoy the benefits of being inclusive employers."

The LSE initiative is a 29-month project and will be managed through the council's Adult Social Service's Preparing for Adult Life (PfAL) and Employment Service, working closely with colleagues in Children's Services.

It is aimed at people supported by Adult Social Services, as well as young people who are Not In Employment Education or Training (NEET) and those with Special Education Needs Disabilities (SEND).
Those taking part must be known to the local authority, be 18 or over, have a learning disability, or autism, or both and not be in employment.

The council has just started recruiting for job coaches. You can find more information at Job Coach - LSE - Norfolk County Council Careers.