main content Employment and training advice for disabled people

The information below gives you details on how to contact organisations that offer advice and support on employment and training issues for disabled people.  

Disability Employment and Training Services

Disability Unit - Department for Work and Pensions website. 
Level 6, Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6HT
Email: feedback-disability@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Benefit enquiry line for people with disabilities: 0800 882 200

Department of Health website.

The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities  website.
Telephone: 020 7802 0300
Fax: 020 7802 0301
e-mail: fpld@fpld.org.uk

Address:  83 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0HW

Mental Health Employment and Training Services

The Mental Health Foundation website.
Telephone: 020 7802 0300
Fax: 020 7802 0301
e-mail: mhf@mhf.org.uk  

Address:  83 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0HW

General Employment and Training Services

Telephone: 080 800 13219
Fax: 07766 413219

Connexions is a service for all 13 to 19 year olds. It aims to help young people make the most of their potential, whatever their ability or background. They offer information and advice on a variety of issues that affect young people and have personal advisors who are professionally qualified to offer the best advice and support on employment and training opportunities.

Connexions also work closely with local employers and offer a job placing service for 16 - 19 year olds. You'll find Connexions Personal Advisers in your school or college.

Jobcentre Plus website.
Learndirect website.
Telephone: 0800 100 900 
Learning Skills Council website.

 Help with Access to Work

New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) website                                                                     Telephone: 0800 137 177

Fax: 0800 435 550
New Deal for Disabled People is for those getting a disability or health-related benefit who want to work but need some help and support along the way.  

Caring and Employment

Almost two thirds of working-age carers are in some sort of paid employment. A third of those work full-time and provide care for more than 20 hours per week. Combining work and caring can be difficult. The carer on occasion may have to take time off work to look after the person in need when an emergency occurs. The Government has acknowledged the importance of the carer being able to do this and at the same time have their rights to employment protected.  

The Right to Have Time Off

The Employment Relations Act of 15/12/1999 gave carers in paid work the right to have time off to deal with a family emergency. Carers cannot now by law be penalised by their employer for taking time off so long as that time off is fully justified. Further information is available from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) website.

Work-Life Balance Campaign

 In March 2000 the Prime Minister launched the government's Work-Life Balance campaign. This was to encourage employers to recognise the benefits to their organisation of flexible working arrangements and the responsibility that carers have out of work.

The campaign is for everyone, whether you are an employer, carer, parent or jobseeker. It is about changing working patterns so that everyone can find a way to combine work with 'out of work' responsibilities. Further information is available from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) website. 

Promoting the inclusion of carers into employment

Nearly three million carers - that is one in seven people in the workforce -juggle paid work and care  and many have to reduce the hours they work or give up work altogether. Keeping a job, or returning to a job when caring has ended can mean facing significant barriers. More information is available from Carers UK website.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers website offers information and ideas to help with the balance between being employed and caring.

What are Special Needs?

A person has special needs when they have:

• a physical disability
• a problem with sight, hearing or speech
• a mental disability
• emotional or behavioural problems
• medical or health problem and/or
• difficulties with reading, writing, speaking or mathematics.

Promoting the inclusion of carers into employment

In September 2002 the Disability Discrimination Act Part IV came into effect making it illegal for disabled children and students in education to be less favourably treated. Providers of education have to make sure where reasonably possible that disabled learners are no longer disadvantaged.

The law covers all areas of education such as schools, colleges, universities, adult education and youth services. Literature and advice for disabled people, parents and others is available free from:

The Disability Rights Commission website

Telephone: 08457 622 633
Fax: 08457 622 644
e-mail: enquiry@drc-gb.org

Children and Young People

If you are caring for a child or young person with Special Educational Needs, you can get help from your Local Education Authority. 

Adults

There are a number of places where adults with special needs can get education. Age Concern offers recreation and educational courses for the carer and person being cared for subject to the carer being aged 55 or over.

Other useful contacts

Here is a brief list of sites you might find of interest: 

ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)
Telephone: 08457 474747
A free, confidential advice service to employers and employees

Carers Information. Click on 'Carers Profiles' to find a list of links that may be of use to you.

Department for Education and Skills. This is a government education site providing information on any area of learning for both young people and adults.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) website. 
Telephone: 0870 150 2500
The DTI can supply information on a range of employment issues including flexible working and parental leave for both employees and employers.

DTI Information for working parents website.