30 October 2009 – Helping people with learning disabilities into work

Internships designed to help people with learning disabilities into work will be tested by employers across England, Minister for Disabled People Jonathan Shaw said today.

Project Search provides a series of internships with an employer for people with learning disabilities and 14 sites, announced today, will take part in a Government evaluation of the model from next September.

Project Search provides interns with essential work and social skills to help people with learning disabilities into real jobs.

Minister for Disabled People Jonathan Shaw said:

"We realise that only a small number of people with learning disabilities who receive adult social services are in work and we know that many more want real jobs. It’s our duty to give them all the help and support they need to get into and stay in work. We want people to fulfil their potential and build a better life for themselves and their families.

"Project Search is a great opportunity to provide valuable internships, and the real possibility of a job, for people with learning disabilities. This is a vital programme to help people overcome barriers to work."

Minister for Care Services Phil Hope said:

"Everyone wants to feel valued and work plays an important role in this. We are committed to removing the barriers individuals with learning disabilities face getting into paid work and promoting good practice.

"Project Search has a proven track record in the USA in helping employers tap into the talent and skills those with learning disabilities have to offer."

Project Search is a model developed in Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to support people with moderate to severe learning disabilities into work. In the US, the model has been successful – 80 per cent of students who completed the Project Search programme in 2006-7 are now in full-time employment. Typically, 25 per cent to 40 per cent of US interns are hired by the host organisations.

The sites announced today will enable the Government to evaluate the Project Search model.

Notes to Editors:

1. Government announced in the Learning Disability Employment Strategy 'Valuing Employment Now' our intention to evaluate Project Search.
2. There are currently over 130 Project Search programmes operating in organisations in the US.
3. The following sites were approved by a sub-group of the Learning Disability Programme Board: Bath and North East Somerset Council; Bolton Council; City of Manchester; Department for Work and Pensions – Pensions, Disability and Carers Service, Newcastle; Derriford Hospital, Plymouth; Great Yarmouth Further Education College; Kent Adult Social Services; Leicester City Council; Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals; NORSE Commercial Services, Norwich; Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn; Royal University Hospital, Bath; Sandwell Borough Council; The Southwark Partnership.
4. This Project Search evaluation will be led by the Valuing Employment Now delivery team in the Department of Health. The delivery team is supported by Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Office for Disability Issues, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Cabinet Office.
5. Interns are unpaid and remain on government benefits during the programme.

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