Connexions extended for young people with physical disabilities or learning difficulties

The government’s new support service for young people,
Connexions, will be extended to people with disabilities or
learning difficulties until the age of 25.

Ivan Lewis, minister for young people and learning, announced
the extension at last week’s Association for Supported
Employment conference.

“We are very much aware that many young people with learning
difficulties or disabilities experience delays in their education
as a result of their condition,” he said.

Connexions will also work closely with local skills councils and
jobcentre plus disability services teams to enable clients to
progress to an adult service at an appropriate time.

Lewis acknowledged concerns about meeting the needs of young
disabled people when they return home from out-of-borough
provision. He said it was vital for the Connexions partnerships in
both areas to work closely with each other.

Connexions services for 13-19-year-olds went live at the
beginning of May in 27 out of the 47 planned areas.

The service aims to provide advice, guidance and access to
personal development opportunities to help young people make the
transition to adulthood and working life.

It “joins up” the work of six government departments, and their
agencies and organisations on the ground, together with private and
voluntary sector groups and youth and careers services.