Shropshire ranked second for adults with learning disabilities in work

Shropshire is ranked second in the West Midlands for the number of adults with learning disabilities in paid employment.

Shropshire Council, through its Enable service, works with adults with disabilities receiving support from the council to help them find work with a range of employers across the county.

The latest data published shows that in 2020-21, 5.6% of adults under 65 who the council supports were in paid employment, which is the second highest rate in the region.

In Shropshire, the level of employment among this group increased last year, despite the pressures created by the pandemic for employers.

During the pandemic, the council’s team was actively calling clients in employment and employers to discuss how the pandemic was affecting their work and any adjustments needed as a result of coronavirus restrictions.

The council uses a ‘people-centred’ approach, working very closely with each client to look at the best ways to help them find paid employment and to stay in work. This could be through help preparing CVs, interview skills, job coaching and other practical ways to help people into employment

Ash is just one of the many people who have turned to Enable to find suitable employment. Supported to create his CV, job search, prepare for job interviews and in work job support, Ash has really benefitted from the service Enable provides.

Ash Mullineux

Ash was successful in securing a housekeeping assistant role at JCA Adventure. Enable worked with with Ash’s line manager and HR team to discuss agreed hours, get all the necessary documentation in place and arrange a start date.

A job coach from Enable supported Ash to help him learn his role, integrate into a new team, ensure there was an internal ‘mentor’ for Ash to go should he need and then gradually faded this ‘on the job’ support.

Charlotte Dickens of JCA Adventure said:-

“We have worked closely with the Enable team to ensure Ash is supported in any way he needs. This support means Ash continues to work to the best of his abilities and is a valued member of our team here are JCA Adventure.”

Ash Mullineux said:-

“Enable were there for me all the way through searching for employment. They helped me by updating my CV, support with my initial shifts and completing courses which my employer required.

I am much more confident, and in a better place with my mental health. Thanks to Enable.”

Ash has been working successfully independently for many weeks now and has been enjoying the work as well as his extra earnings.

The Enable team also work with a range of employers in the county to encourage them to take on adults with learning disabilities and to create sustainable jobs.

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said:-

“It’s great to see Shropshire again doing well compared with other councils in the area.

“Our teams invest a huge amount of time and effort with our social care clients to help them into work and to stay in work – both of which are key to their independence and wellbeing.

“To do so during the pandemic has been more difficult for everyone involved, and we are very grateful to the employers we work with for their continued support and the part they play in making this scheme work.”

For more details about the support to help adults with learning difficulties into employment visit http://www.enableservices.co.uk