Section 8 – Working with parents and carers
• having one key contact from college or a supported employment agency who can give information about options and the supported employment process, and give advice, help them make decisions along with their son/daughter and keep them informed; and • having insights into some of the non-financial benefits of working – such as the potential to make new friends, and grow in confidence and independence.49
Advice on work and benefits The findings of the What Works report50 stressed the importance of people with learning disabilities and their families getting individual benefits advice – that is specific to their individual circumstances – about how things will change if and when they get a job. Their research showed that one of the problems to overcome is the fear that people will lose their benefits and be worse off if they get a job. If people are badly advised, this can be the case. But with expert advice and a betteroff calculation, people should be able to avoid taking on work that will leave them worse off. The idea that people will be worse off is, for most people, a myth. As the report states: ‘Changes have occurred that can provide entitlement to return to benefit if a job doesn’t work out, and tax credits can top up earnings. Wider evidence from one of our research sites shows that adults with learning disabilities who were willing to work over 16 hours per week were on average over 100% better off before tax.’ As noted above, many parents and carers worry about the loss of income if their son/daughter takes up paid work and doesn’t get benefits as a result of this. While concerns about a possible drop in income are understandable, this is often a perception rather than a reality. Parents and carers may need information and advice about the minim wage and extra benefits people can get while they are working. As of 1 October 2009 the minimum wage rates are:
• £5.80 an hour for people aged 22 and over; • £4.83 an hour people aged between 18 to 21; and • £3.57 an hour for people aged 16 to 17. Therefore, people should not be paid less than this. This rate changes every year and you need to check www.direct.gov.uk for accurate information, and most importantly get individually tailored advice about payment and benefits. If an 49 Beyer, S. et al. (2008) What Works? Good practice in transition to employment for young people with learning disabilities. Available to download from: www.shaw-trust.org.uk/files/shaw_trust_good_practice_guide.pdf 50 Ibid.
89