Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of supporting local authorities to improve (a) work placement and (b) employment (i) practices and (ii) opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

Local authorities are independent, democratic bodies who have the freedom and flexibility to manage their own employment matters. They are best placed to understand and make these decisions based on what their individual needs are. DLUHC ministers do not have any formal role in such matters

Through The Careers & Enterprise Company, the Department for Education (DfE) will continue to work with all local authorities to ensure that local priorities are fed into the provision of careers advice, so that it is employer-led, integrated, and meets local needs

Supported internships are a structured, work-based study programme for 16 to 24-year-olds with SEND, who have an education, health, and care plan (EHCP). DfE are investing up to £18 million in supported internships over the next three years, aiming to double the capacity of the supported internships programme to provide more young people with EHCPs with the skills they need to secure and sustain paid employment.’

DWP have strengthened the Disability Employment Adviser role, delivering direct support to claimants who require additional work related support and supporting all work coaches to deliver tailored, personalised support to claimants with a disability or health condition including those with a learning disability.