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Brookdale Care News
More opportunities for autistic adults
Posted: 2009-06-29 | Author: Autism News
AUTISM CARE PROVIDER CALLS FOR INCREASED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUTISTIC PEOPLE
Brookdale Care, the specialist provider of care services for people living with autism, has today welcomed the cross-government Learning Disability Employment Strategy, published Wednesday 24th June.
Lesa Walton, Care & Development Director of Brookdale Care said today:
“Our experience tells us that the majority of people with learning disabilities, including those on the Autistic Spectrum, struggle to find paid employment despite many desperately wanting to. In fact, as Care Services Minister Phil Hope stated, research suggests that two thirds of people with learning disabilities would like to work.
“As the Government’s Employment Strategy suggests, we need to educate employers so that they understand a) that people with learning disabilities want to work and b) the many skills and talents that such people can bring to the workplace. And I must stress that people living with learning disabilities and autism are not necessarily limited to performing menial tasks as the recent appointment of Scott Watkin as the Department of Health’s Co-National Director for Learning Disabilities shows.
“As a specialist autism care provider, Brookdale Care wants to make sure that people with autism have the chance to be independent, work and earn real money to support themselves. We know that providing such opportunities is no small task and it will require hard work and a radical overhaul of policies and practices in central and local Government, schools, colleges and job centres, along with changes being made by carers, families and those people living with autism. The message must ring clear – people with autism can work and want to work.
“Brookdale is not placing all responsibility with third-parties and Government. We know that we have a part to play in bringing about change and we have been doing just that far in advance of the Government’s strategy. Amongst other things, we run employment schemes for our service users – helping them to find paid employment and then initially working alongside them in their job until they are settled and happy.
“Our work has shown us that activities such as work, which many people take for granted, can make a huge difference to the quality of life of people with autism and can prevent feelings of social exclusion. I am confident that the Government also realises this and that the Employment Strategy will begin to make a difference and promote independence.”
For more information on how Brookdale Care supports our Autistic residents to gain supported employment please contact us on 01707 646 646 or info@brookdalecare.co.uk