A “worrying” number of employment providers for people with learning difficulties are paying workers less than the minimum wage, a new report has revealed.
Many local authority and voluntary sector providers are “in breach” of national minimum wage rules, with some “simply avoiding the issue,” according to the report by a government working group on learning difficulties and employment.
The report, produced by the Department of Health and Department for Work and Pensions, warned that organisations could be taken to employment tribunals and forced to close if they continued to “ignore” guidance. It also highlighted the need to “eliminate confusion” in applying the law.
The report also said benefit rules and regulations were a “major barrier” to encouraging people with learning difficulties to find work, and called for a review of current benefit rules to allow people to work more hours.
People living in residential care or supported living faced “significant” financial disincentives to seek paid employment and would not be financially better off if they worked, it added.
'Councils must refocus learning disability money on job support'
30 June 2009
DH/DWP bids to close learning disability employment gap
24 June 2009
Radar probes barriers to career success for disabled
16 June 2009
Apprenticeships Bill 'may exclude disabled people'
03 June 2009
Positive images of social work
01 July 2009
Laming review of child protection
12 May 2009
Bristol finds common assessment framework liberates social workers and spreads responsibilities
01 July 2009
Helping people with mental health problems who are in debt
29 June 2009
How ITV Fixers have enabled young people to go public with life stories
17 June 2009
Social workers 'must use GSCC code to challenge workloads'
One third of children may be living with binge-drinking parents
Khyra Ishaq: Accused face retrial after jury discharged
Details of government consultations
12 June 2009
Government Legislation
02 December 2008
Private Member Bills
21 November 2008
