Strategy for Inclusive Vocational Day services and employment

STATES OF JERSEY

STRATEGY FOR INCLUSIVE VOCATIONAL DAY SERVICES AND EMPLOYMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 17th June 2008 by Deputy I.J. Gorst of St. Clement

STATES GREFFE

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

to r ec eive the Strategy for Inclusive Vocational Day services and Employment for people with a learning

disability and people on the autistic spectrum as set out in the Appendix and –

(a ) to request the Ministers for Social Security, Education, Sport and Culture, and Health and Social

Services to review and consider this Strategy and take all necessary steps to support its implementation in order to find solutions to reduce pressures on existing services in providing appropriate work and vocational day service opportunities for people with learning disabilities and people on the autistic spectrum; and

( b ) t o request the Chief Minister to incorporate funding arrangements within the 2009 Annual

Business Plan to enable any solutions that are identified to be implemented.

DEPUTY I.J. GORST OF ST. CLEMENT

REPORT

It gives me great pleasure to be able to present this Strategy to the States.

It is the result of over 2 years' work by the authors. I hope that members will be able to find the time to read the full report, however there is included a comprehensive executive summary to give members an understanding of both the problems faced by people with learning disabilities and people on the autistic spectrum, together with proposed solutions.

I recognise that it is not usual for private members to lodge or present strategies to the States, however in this case it seemed to be the only solution to a problem which falls within the remit of 3 or 4 States Departments (Social Security, Education, Sport and Culture, Health and Social Services and to some extent Economic Development). It will certainly fall within the remit of the recently formed Skills Executive. Two years ago I met with Senator Routier to discuss the issue and it was agreed at that time that it was important to have an independent arm's length oversight of the issue, and that I should take the lead on this matter as members are no doubt aware that Senator Routier is not only Minister for Social Security, but is closely associated with the authors of the report. He has asked me to declare his positions: President of Jersey Mencap, Chairman of Les Amis Incorporated and Trustee of Jersey Employment Trust. I would like to stress that this Strategy is brought in my capacity as a private member.

This has been an eye-opening piece of work and one which goes to the very heart of what it means to be a fair, caring and socially concerned civil society. The way that a society treats those who are less able to defend and protect themselves is a mark of the extent to which that society can wear the badge of civilised'. This strategy proposes mechanisms of help and self-help for one of those very sections of our Island.

Much academic research provides evidence that work is good for us'. The Social Security Department only last year commissioned a review of its incapacity .benefit which reiterated that fact. Therefore if work is good for able-bodied members of society then the same must be true for persons with disabilities.

I have worded the proposition as written to give as much flexibility to departments as possible. They will be able to either take the strategy as it is and implement it, or redesign existing services and provisions to provide solutions more effectively and efficiently. The only thing I can say for certain is that the problem exists and appears to be growing and I ask that members acknowledge this by supporting this Strategy.

I would like to give a special thank you to all those who gave of their time and effort to produce this excellent document.

Financial and manpower implications

The financial and manpower implications of this Strategy are outlined in the Strategy itself; however I would hope that these numbers might be able to be reduced by maximising joint working. I had initially hoped that this Strategy could have been incorporated into the Business Plan by the Council of Ministers, however for various reasons that was not possible. Any monies expended on this strategy would add to the bottom line of States annual expenditure unless departments felt able to reprioritise current expenditure.

APPENDIX

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT

Transition co-ordinator 1.00 17 17 1.00 35 35 1.00 36 Support worker 4.00 48 48 5.00 125 125 6.00 154 Occupational Therapist 0.50 23 Advertising Posts 2 2 2 2

Office Set-Up (PCs/Desks) 5 5 2 2

Employer's Publicity

Material

Travel 2 2 7 7

Staff Training 3 3 6 6

Sub-Total 5.00 65 12 77 6.00 160 17 177 7.50 213

PREPARATION FOR EMPLOYMENT

Social and Life Skills

Project Co-ordinator 2.00 53 53 2.00 72 Occupational Therapist 1.00 34 34 1.00 46 Support Worker 5.00 75 75 6.00 154

Administrative Support 0.10 3 3 0.20 5 Activity Expenses 7 7

Advertising Posts 3 3 Office Rental 11 11

Travel 3 3 Staff Training 6 6 Office Set-Up (PCs/Desks) 14 14

Vocational Skills

Tutors 1.00 35 35 1.50 54 Advertising Posts 2 2

Sub-Total – – – – 9.10 200 46 246 10.70 331 SHELTERED WORK

Administration Project

Project Co-ordinator 0.50 13 13 0.50 10 Support Worker 1.00 19 19 1.00 26 Client Expenses 10 10

Advertising Posts 1 1 Staff Training 2 2 Office Set-Up (PCs/Desks) 2 2 Wood/Reclamation Project

Project Co-ordinator 0.85 7 7 0.85 31 Support Worker 1.00 6 6 1.00 26

SHELTERED WORK

CONT'D

Client Expenses 5 5

Advertising Posts 1 1 Staff Training 1 1

Telephones, office running

costs

Vehicle fuel, Maintenance 1 1 Project insurance 1 1 Utilities 2 2

Machinery renewal and

maintenance

Materials, health and safety 2 2 and chemicals

Waste disposal and Tipping 2 2

Project Set-Up

Office Set-Up (PCs/Desks) 3 3

Shed Heating and Fit Out 5 5

Heating/air extraction 12 12

installation

Vehicle Purchase 15 15

Health & Safety Equipment 3 3

Business Development

Project Worker 0.75 31 Sub-Total – – – – 3.35 45 68 113 4.10 132 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 5.00 65 12 77 18.45 405 131 536 22.30 676

INCOME Year 1 (6 months) Year 2 Year 3

2008 2009 2010 SHELTERED Total Total

EMPLOYMENT £'000 £'000

Skilled Employment – 6

Wood/Reclamation Project – 2

TOTAL INCOME – 7