Breaking barriers to employment

3 April 2 mins read Kirsty Matthews Youth Work

Young people with a learning disability, who are autistic, or both, remain one of the most underrepresented groups in the UK workforce, a stark reality that demands our attention and action.

Kirsty Matthews is chief executive of DFN Project SEARCH, a charity dedicated to transforming employment opportunities for young people with a learning disability, or autism spectrum condition, or both

Last week, as part of the National Supported Internship Day campaign created by DFN Project SEARCH, we arranged the first ever SEND Youth Parliament, a significant moment for disability inclusion.

The event held at Westminster was more than just a gathering, it was a platform that brought young people with disabilities directly into dialogue with policymakers, demonstrating the critical importance of lived experience in shaping government policy.

The challenges facing young people with a learning disability and/ or who are autistic run deep. A 2023 Mencap survey revealed that 86% of people with a learning disability who don't have a paid job desperately want one. Yet, the employment landscape tells a different story.

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