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A decision made (07/07/2008) regarding: P.102 Comments on P.102/2008 - Strategy for Inclusive Vocational Day Services and Employment.

Decision Reference: MD-S-2008-0037
Decision Summary Title :	P.102 Comments		Date of Decision Summary:	7 July 2008
Decision Summary Author:	Sue Duhamel – Policy and Strategy Director		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title :	P.102 - Comments		Date of Written Report:	7 July 2008
Written Report Author:	Sue Duhamel – Policy and Strategy Director		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Comments on P.102/2008 – Strategy for Inclusive Vocational Day Services and Employment
Decision(s): The Minister approved the comment to P.102/2008 and determined that it should be presented to the States Assembly as soon as possible.
Reason(s) for Decision: P.102/2008 relates to the provision of additional employment training and vocational services for individuals with learning difficulties or on the autistic spectrum. The Social Security Department has an ongoing commitment to provide specialist support to help adults and young people with special employment needs that might have difficulty entering the workplace. The Department currently provides in-house services as well as grant funding to the Jersey Employment Trust. Additional services would need to be carefully co-ordinated with existing provision.
Resource Implications: None
Action required: States Greffe to publish comments to P.102
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

P.102 Comments on P.102/2008 - Strategy for Inclusive Vocational Day Services and Employment.

COMMENTS ON STRATEGY FOR INCLUSIVE VOCATIONAL DAY SERVICES AND EMPLOYMENT

The Minister for Social Security welcomes the actions of Deputy Gorst in bringing this important issue to the attention of the States.

There are a number of factors which have led to increasing demands in this area. These include the increasing diagnosis of some conditions, changes in the nature of the services provided by the Health & Social Services Department and the increasing aspirations and expectations of individuals, parents and carers.

The message that “work is good for you” is one that applies across all sectors of society and it is important that every individual is given the opportunity of employment and to undertake appropriate training to develop their work skills. The Social Security Department and the Health and Social Services Department both provide grant funding to the Jersey Employment Trust.

The Social Security Department has recently provided capital funding of over £500,000 for a new building to increase the facilities available for employment focused training. This additional modern facility may have contributed to the growing demand for services.

The provision of appropriate training facilities must be accompanied by suitable employment opportunities. The States and partner agencies are already working hard in this area to encourage employers to take on additional staff with disabilities.

Whilst the strategy contains many interesting suggestions, it is important that any new initiative is co-ordinated with other work that is on-going at present. I would support the setting up of a joint working party between the three departments to examine both the issues and proposed solutions set out by Deputy Gorst.

The Social Security business plan for 2009 already makes provision for a grant of £870,000 to Jersey Employment Trust. This includes additional funding of £120,000 in response to an increased demand for existing Trust services.

The Social Security Department has no additional resources available to fund new initiatives in 2009.

If the States approve this Proposition and provide the required funding, the Social Security Department will work with the Health and Social Services and Education, Sport and Culture Departments and partner agencies to examine these proposals as well as alternative strategies to ensure that people with learning disabilities or on the autistic spectrum have the opportunity to realise their work potential.