Agenda item

This report considers the support provided to young people with disabilities so that they are able to find suitable employment in a supported setting.  It will look at current provision and what has worked successfully. 

Councillor Richardson outlined the scope of the item which was in three parts.

1.          DFN Project Search

Claire Cookson and Maureen McHugh from DFN Project Search talked about the work of the organisation, it’s values and ethos.  The aim was to ensure that each young person could access the same life choices, be independent and gain confidence through developing viable skills in full-time, paid employment. The positive benefits of working indicated that those who do gain employment are likely to lead happier, healthier lives. The full presentations can be found at:

Claire Cookson, Chief Executive Officer, located at 35:22 minutes and

Maureen McHugh, Programme Specialist, located at 42:59 minutes

Victoria Brigwell commented that a supported internship was a wonderful way of overcoming barriers for people who were capable and skilled but who found it difficult to access the usual application process.  A success rate of 60% of interns finding placements was impressive but required resources.  Claire Cookson explained that Project Search was not a provider and worked with schools and colleges (and the Department for Education) to facilitate placements and to understand what was available.

Councillor Caleb-Landy commended the presentations and the outcomes that Project Search had achieved. There was awareness that an unemployment crises was likely and that the council’s record on inclusive employment outcomes was not positive. Claire Cookson responded that the council could lead by example and highlight the importance of inclusive employment by setting the benchmark.  During the pandemic 40 interns had gained employment and the opportunity to work.  This was about providing the tools to succeed, a celebration of diversity and equality and key to this was to reframe the language used. 

Councillor Kwon enquired if there was scope for sectors other than health and care, or logistics, where the same outcomes could be replicated in arts, for example and if there had been an barriers that Project Search might have experienced.  Larger organisations offered better training grounds and partnerships had also increased with universities.  Participants who were hearing disabled or had difficulties with vision had educational health care plans and could access a fund which allowed individually tailored plans to configure proper support.  One intern who was visually impaired had wanted to work in retail and found work in a Primark store, in the Harry Potter section as retail was an area that had interested him most.  Interns often offered unique perspectives that resulted in positive changes. 

There was real drive and focus on developing the employability of learning- disabled people and Project Search had the versatility and commitment to expand their work and reach other sectors in which suitable opportunities for intern placements could be identified. The breadth of opportunity was key, and within the health sector, interns often found it possible to navigate to other opportunities in an organisation such as Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust where some had moved into technical roles.

2.          Provider experiences of delivering in partnership with Project Search

Councillor Richardson felt that the “value added” aspect of inclusive employment was a critical point and welcomed Sharon Probets to offer a provider perspective which can be found here:

Sharon Probets, Head of Learning, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, located at 64:37 minutes

Sharon Probets explained that the success of the intern placements at the Trust was attributable to the quality of their collaboration with Project Search. The placements were a bridge for young people to transition into employment. The partnership with Project Search and North West London College, and within the Trust itself, for example with Sodexo, was key, underpinned by the follow up work of job coaching.  The placement success rate of 60% (highlighted above) in previous years was high but it was recognised that the pandemic had resulted in significant challenges that had needed to be overcome for the programme to continue.

Councillor Richardson welcomed Kathryn Mangold, whose comments about the Trust’s partnership with Project Search and Queensmill School, Hammersmith can be found here:

Kathryn Mangold, Lead nurse for Learning Disability and Transition, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, located at 78:15 minutes

As the business liaison lead for the programme Kathryn Mangold outlined that they were currently supporting a third cohort but had taken a slightly different approach which included young people on the autistic spectrum.  This was an unusual model which needed a high ratio of support staff of one to two.  

Jim Grealy welcomed details about training and employability, and the commitment and enthusiasm for inclusive programmes.  He asked how students were selected and placed, and, how much continuity of experience between leaving school and employment there was, a key success factor.  Claire Cookson explained that they applied a rubric which contained measures to ensure that there was a clear, structured framework of reference to help review learners and support those that were not equipped to score highly.  Qualities such as ambition, personal care and some academic ability, together with a network of family support were some of the positive markers sought. 

3.          The H&F Local Offer

Councillor Richardson invited Jo Baty to provide information about the work of H&F and its local offer, supported by Mandy Lawson and Kamal Motalib.  Jo Baty began the presentation which can be found here:

Mandy Lawson, Assistant Director of SEND, Jo Baty, Assistant Director Mental Health, Learning Disability and Provided Services, and Kamal Motalib, Head of Economic Development located at 88:18 minutes

Kamal Motalib provided details of the challenging economic background currently being experienced within H&F, reflecting the broader national economic impact of Covid.  Evidence suggested that the pandemic would impact economically on disabled residents for whom the cumulative effect of low employment opportunities were negative social and health outcomes.  A decline on the high street and local businesses has been accelerated by Covid, exacerbating an already difficult situation.  In terms of positives, many residents and businesses had adjusted work and business patterns and there existed a strong business base with a higher number of STEM orientated business. 

Collaborative work across the council had brought together ASC, Children’s Services and external partners such as West London Alliance, and were keen to encourage and help grow a more inclusive local economy.  Employment, business services and job brokerage had been refocused to provide better support to communities.

Mandy Lawson elaborated on the development work undertaken on ‘pathways to employment’ which included the supported internship model, working with key local partners such as ParentsActive.  There were twenty supported internship programmes across north west London with three based in H&F. In terms of next steps Mandy Lawson reported that an apprenticeship task force was being established within the council which would facilitate many apprenticeship opportunities across the organisation.

Councillor Richardson invited Bianca Tavella, Project Manager, Fairshot Café to outline the work of the café.  Bianca Tavella commended Kamal Motalib and Nicola Burgess for their ongoing support and advice.  The impact of Covid had resulted in the loss of funding for the Café which was a joint social enterprise initiative that provided training and employment for people with disabilities. This collaborative approach had resulted in a positive response from Westfield shopping centre which was now actively seeking suitable premises for the Café. 

Members of the Committee commended the work undertaken in establishing the Fairshot Café and other employment programmes, and the collaborative support that had been provided by council officers which was inspiring. Councillor Richardson read out four actions, the detail of which would be finalised and agreed outside the meeting (and appended to the minutes):

RESOLVED

1.    That the Committee establish a scrutiny task force to contribute to the development of a Council wide strategy on inclusive employment;

2.    To understand more the views and experiences of parents, carers and young people in relation to inclusive employment;

3.    To recognise the importance of the social and economic value of supporting young people as they seek to lead independent lives and to identify the benefits of this for both the community and the Council; and

4.    To identify a senior officer(s) within the organisation who would be able to.