Plans that work: improving employment outcomes for young people with learning disabilities

Jack Hunter,Rebecca Lawthom,Katherine Runswick‐Cole,Dan Goodley

doi:10.1111/1467-8578.12298

Abstract

This article offers a critical reflection on the function of education, health and care plans (EHCPs) in pathways to employment for disabled young people. We consider ‘the education plan’ as an artefact of special educational needs systems. We problematise the often taken‐for‐granted assumption that such plans are always and only a ‘good’ thing in the lives of disabled young people seeking pathways to employment. At the same time, we consider the rise in demand for plans that are understood by many as a crucial mechanism for achieving support. Following the recent policy reforms in England, we describe a context in which the funding of education is shrinking and in which the promise of employment for disabled young people has yet to be delivered. We conclude by proposing some changes to policy and practice to enhance employment opportunities for disabled young people.

Highlights

This article offers a critical reflection on the function of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in pathways to employment for disabled young people
We turn to our particular geopolitical location and the current system for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in England, following the recent policy reforms (DfE & DoH, 2015)
We describe a context in which the funding of education in general, and for children ‘with SEND’ in particular, is shrinking, and in which the promise of employment for disabled young people has yet to be delivered

Summary

EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES

Plans that work: improving employment outcomes for young people with learning disabilities. This article offers a critical reflection on the function of education, health and care plans (EHCPs) in pathways to employment for disabled young people. We problematise the often taken-forgranted assumption that such plans are always and only a ‘good’ thing in the lives of disabled young people seeking pathways to employment. We consider the rise in demand for plans that are understood by many as a crucial mechanism for achieving support. Following the recent policy reforms in England, we describe a context in which the funding of education is shrinking and in which the promise of employment for disabled young people has yet to be delivered. We conclude by proposing some changes to policy and practice to enhance employment opportunities for disabled young people

Introduction

Findings

Conclusion