Remploy
9th May 2011
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with Remploy to ensure that adults with (a) autism and (b) Down's syndrome are given training and work opportunities; and if he will make a statement.
Maria Miller: I have had many discussions with Remploy on a range of issues concerning supporting people with various disabilities into work.
Remploy delivers Work Choice and operates a wide range of services designed to enhance the employment opportunities available to people with both autism and Down's syndrome, including CV development, vocational skills development, job specific training, confidence building and one to one job search support.
Specific examples of the work that Remploy are involved in include:
A European Social Fund contract to improve the skills for learning and future employment of 14 to 19-year-olds with complex barriers, including people with ASD and learning disabilities such as Down's syndrome. This contract operates in Neath Port Talbot, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Swansea local authority areas.
Working with the National Autistic Society (NAS) to increase the number of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) entering and maintaining sustainable employment. More than 400 Employment Services staff have received ASD awareness training, helping them to deliver more effective employment support to people with ASD. Remploy and NAS have also developed a tool which identifies learning disabilities and autism traits, enabling the development of individual Person Centred Plans which help overcome specific barriers to employment presented by autism and learning disabilities.
