The Percy Hedley Foundation Speaks Out

Employability for All

In the past two years something significant and unique has been developed at the Percy Hedley Foundation. In keeping with the organisation's aim of "promoting the needs, rights and aspirations of disabled people through the provision of high quality, specialist services" the Employability Project is recognised as meeting this aim in a high quality and specialist manner.

The project aims to enable disabled people to develop the skills they need to enable them to move towards the world of work.

The project developed in response to changes in the way disability is perceived. Disability is no longer seen as a solely medical problem to be treated and overcome but rather as a social construct - with solutions to be sought at the structural level. In this view the lack of access to meaningful employability opportunities is a disabling factor and employers have the key to unlock those opportunities.

The work the project is engaged in is groundbreaking and vital.

  • Only 1 in 10 people with a learning disability are employed - although many more have employment aspirations. The figures are even lower for people with more severe impairments - many of the people that the Percy Hedley Foundation works with.
  • Not enough special schools, colleges and service providers ask their pupils, students and service users "what do you want to do when you leave?" and then make it happen.
  • In times of recession and economic downturn, when non-disabled people start losing their jobs, it is even more important to ensure that employability opportunities for disabled people are still available.
  • Much government funding in this area is output related, leading to 'cherry picking' the easiest people to place and placing them as quickly as possible - not necessarily in the best place but in the quickest. The Employability Project finds customised placements for people with a funding model which does not lead to cherry picking.

It has recently been announced that funding for the next 3 years to expand the project to cover the whole north east has been secured through the North East Region Learning and Skills Council.

By operating a partnership of employers - through a unique agreement with the Employers' Forum on Disability as well as Labour Market Intermediaries and disabled people the project ensures opportunities are generated and people's aspirations are met. Employability for all.

David Barker
Director of Adult Services
October 2008

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