Down's syndrome article on BBC

The struggle to find work when you have Down's syndrome documented on the BBC Ouch blog. It starts with the stats that fewer than two in 10 people with learning disabilities are in employment, a similar figure to Aspergers thought to be around 12%. It goes on to link to the Downs Syndrome Association's Workfit web page, a programme to improve understanding of the condition among employers, quoting that many employers never knew that people with Down's syndrome wanted to find work. An interesting quote in the Ouch article is that when they can find employment they mostly thrive in structured roles that are process driven, very similar to those with Aspergers.

"Community Service" - "all stick, no carrot" proposals designed to "punish"

This BBC article contrasts the current government party and opposition proposals primarily aimed at 18 to 21-year-olds. What I feel when I hear the references to unemployed people being sent on "Community Service" is that it implies a tar with the same brush as those sent on it as a sentence for crimes, and the article ends with even a spokesman for the smaller coalition partner party criticised the main government party proposals as "all stick, no carrot", saying they were designed to "punish" rather than to help people into work. Another point is will reading "Community Service" on a CV make an employer infer that it was as a sentence for crime and immediately write the applicant off on that assumption?

The opposition party has promised the same people a guaranteed job, so even if the jobs were of the "Community Service" type occupation they would be paid at minimum wage. This guarantee would be paid for by a tax on bankers' bonuses, which I agree is much needed.

'Targeting' and 'Psychotherapeutic interventions'

A post on the NAS website's forum about the Department for Work and Pensions "targeting those with Autism and Aspergers to undergo Psychotherapeutic interventions." The concern is the tone of blaming people for difficulties they never chose to have, as efforts should be directed at employers themselves. All the 'Psychotherapeutic interventions' are not going to make me a world class front line customer service bod, they need to be working with employers to get them to understand the possibility of placing individuals with Aspergers in the jobs that will utilise their strengths while not penalising their disability.

Jobcentre Target Culture - Work Programme adviser speaks out

This Guardian article on a Work Programme adviser speaking out on the target and tickbox culture at the Jobcentre and associated training providers.

"Glenda Jackson take a bow"

Brilliant speech from Labour MP Glenda Jackson, attacking the vile work and pensions secretary, responsible for the “destruction of the welfare state and the total and utter incompetence of his department”.

"7 Reasons Why You Should Stop Bitching About People On Benefits" from a blog

This blog post is really thoughtfully written and from the writer's own experience. I won't quote it all but reason 1 is "One day, it could be you", many people are quick to pass judgement on what the politicians and media say about the worst extreme cases, yes they exist but are a small minority who spoil it for the majority who are not there by choice.

Jobcentre Target Culture - sanctions league tables

This latest BBC link touches on "sanctions league tables".

Two years ago, related posts about target culture were this one about staff set to go on strike and this one with a whistleblower.