There are an estimated 800,000 adults with learning disabilities of working age, of which only 11% have a paid job, often a part time one. Despite this, many people express an interest in exploring work opportunities. One less frequently explored option is that of Self-employment.
The In Business programme explored the route to Self-employment and small business ownership for those people with learning disabilities interested in an alternative path to work. It captured the journey to enterprise with particular focus on innovation, business planning and development and service delivery change.
The In Business resources have been developed in response to this, based on our experiences within the pilot sites over a number of years that reflected Local Authority and Voluntary Sector settings as well as urban and rural economies.
Below you will also find numerous resources, guides and tools to help people who have an idea for becoming Self-employed. We have also produced a report about the project as well as a briefing for policy makers, commissioners and service providers.
What We Can Offer You
The In Business programme offers a range of consultancy support, resources and tools to create exciting employment opportunities for people with a learning disability.
We can help local authorities, support organisations, individuals and families by offering:
- Interactive workshops
- Awareness raising
- Capacity building training for staff teams
- Development of business circles
- Innovation and invention activities
- Business support
- Personal planning
Our RED (Rapid Enterprise Development) workshops develop individual business plans and to create ‘business circles of support’, thereby enabling individuals and their supporters to move from ideas to business plan and beyond. These workshops can also be delivered as training to community support workers to develop their business development skills and their ability to spot and test ideas.
Enterprise ideas included:
- DJ services
- Steel band
- Ink recycling
- Disability awareness training
- Car wash
- Children’s t-shirts
- Pet beds
- Jewellery
- Gardening
- Licensed car hire
- Dog walking
- An eBay business
- Support for travel arrangements
- Office recycling
- Horticulture
- Plastic recycling
- Arts, crafts and sculpture
More information
Read about the In Business Project
For more information about our training, workshops or consultancy services, please contact Keith Bates at: kbates@fpld.org.uk or call 0779 605 3847.
Keith has nearly 20 years’ experience supporting people with learning disabilities. His areas of expertise include supported employment, developing social enterprises, supporting people to set up co-operatives and using trade to develop opportunities.