Aug
19
£210,000 to break down barriers for people with autism and learning disabilities in Norfolk
Author: Chloe Smith, Updated: 19 August 2022 16:22
Disabled people deserve the same opportunities to start, stay and succeed in employment as everyone else.
I am aware that those with autism and learning disabilities can face particular barriers to employment, which is why as Minister for Disabled People I have announced a £7.6m investment in the Local Supported Employment initiative which will help 2,000 people in Norfolk and across England and Wales.
The programme will help people with learning disabilities and autism into sustainable jobs. The support will include assigning job coaches who can help match people with their interests, engage employers and provide in-work support to help develop more careers.
This follows the government hitting its goal to see one million more disabled people in work by 2027 five years early, as ministers consider a new target to help bring down the disability employment gap further in the forthcoming Health & Disability White Paper, due in the autumn.
Norfolk will get £210,000 as part of the national investment of £7.6 million over the next three years.
I know from our ten years of experience with the Norwich for Jobs project that it is really important to break down barriers and use local networks to help more disabled people get into jobs and have the same opportunity as others. So I'm pleased to be able to make even more progress nationally - as well as do more in our county.
For further information on this announcement, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/7-6-million-to-help-2-000-adults-with-autism-into-work
Chloe Smith