Disabled people - employment and training

The information below gives you details on how to contact organisations that offer advice and support on employment and training issues for disabled people.

Disability Employment and Training Services| (new window)
Disability Unit - Department for Work and Pensions
Level 6
Adelphi
1-11 John Adam Street
London
WC2N 6HT

Email: feedback-disability@dwp.gsi.gov.uk|  

Benefit enquiry line for people with disabilities: 0800 882 2000

Department of Health| (new window)
The Department of Health
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2NL

Tel: 0207 210 4850  - lines open 0900-1700 Monday to Friday
Mincom: 0207 210 5025 - lines open 0900-1700 Monday to Friday
Email: dhmail@dh.gsi.gov.uk|
  
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities |(new window)
83 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0HW

Tel: 020 7802 0300
Fax: 020 7802 030
Email: fpld@fpld.org.uk|

Mental Health Employment and Training Services| (new window)
The Mental Health Foundation
83 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0HW

Tel: 020 7802 0300
Fax: 020 7802 0301
Email: mhf@mhf.org.uk|

General employment and training organisations

Connexions| (new window)

Tel: 080 800 13219
Fax: 07766 413219

Connexions Bedfordshire and Luton| (new window)
Freephone: 0800 032 13 19
Email: info@connx.org.uk|

Luton Main Office
First Floor
1-27 Bolton Road
Luton
LU1 3HY

Bedfordshire Main Office
59-61 Bromham Road
Bedford
MK40 2AA

Connexions is a new service for all 13 to 19 year olds. It aims to help young people make the most of their potential, whatever their ability or background. They offer information and advice on a variety of issues that affect young people and have personal advisors who are professionally qualified to offer the best advice and support on employment and training opportunities.

Connexions also work closely with local employers and offer a job placing service for 16 - 19 year olds. You'll find Connexions Personal Advisers in your school or college or you can visit the centre at the above address.

Jobcentre Plus| (new window)
Jobcentre Plus Bedford
Wyvern House
55 Bromham Road
Bedford
MK40 2EH

Tel: 01234 361500

Learndirect| (new window)
Tel: 0800 100 900 for Learndirect centres across Bedfordshire

Learning and Skills Council| (new window)
Tel: 0870 900 6800
Email: info@lsc.gov.uk|

Help with access to work 

New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) 
Tel: 0800 137 177
Fax: 0800 435 550 

New Deal for Disabled People is for those getting a disability or health-related benefit who want to work but need some help and support along the way.

Caring and employment

Almost two thirds of working age Carers are in some sort of paid employment. A third of those work full-time and provide care for more than 20 hours per week. Combining work and caring can be difficult. The Carer on occasion may have to take time off work to look after the person in need when an emergency occurs. The Government has acknowledged the importance of the Carer being able to do this and at the same time have their rights to employment protected.

The Right to Have Time Off| (new window)

The Employment Relations Act of 15/12/1999 gave Carers in paid work the right to have time off to deal with a family emergency. Carers cannot now by law be penalised by their employer for taking time off so long as that time off is fully justified. Further information on 'time off' can be found at:

Tel:0870 1502 500 for a booklet explaining Time Off for Dependants (URN 99/1186) or Parental Leave (URN 99/1193).

Work-life balance campaign

In March 2000 the Prime Minister launched the government's Work-Life Balance campaign. This was to encourage employers to recognise the benefits to their organisation of flexible working arrangements and the responsibility that Carers have out of work.

The campaign is for everyone, whether you are an employer, Carer, parent or jobseeker. It is about changing working patterns so that everyone can find a way to help them combine work with 'out of work' responsibilities.

Work Life Balance Team
1 Victoria Street
London
SW1H OET

Tel: 020 7215 6249
Email: team.work-life-balance@dti.gsi.gov.uk|

Promoting the inclusion of carers into employment

Carers Online report on an 'Action for Carers and Employment' National UK project whose aim is to promote Carers inclusion into the labour market?

Nearly three million Carers juggle paid work and care - that is one in seven people in the workforce - and many have to reduce the hours they work or give up work altogether. Keeping a job, or returning to a job when caring has ended can mean facing significant barriers such as:

• Loss of confidence and work skills
• Invisibility to mainstream services such as JobCentre Plus
• Finding good quality, flexible and affordable alternative care
• Finding an understanding and flexible employer
• Bridging the gap between benefits and work

More information about the project and its aims are available or contact Carers UK| at:

20-25 Glasshouse Yard
London
EC1A 4JT

Tel: (020) 7490 8818
Fax: (020) 7490 8818
CarersLine: 0808 808 7777 1000-1200 Wednesday-Thursday

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers| (new window)
London Office
142 Minories
London
EC3N 1LB

Tel: (020) 7480 7788
Fax: (020) 7481 4729
For publications Email: info@carers.org|
For all other enquiries Email: help@carers.org|  

Special needs and education

In September 2002 the Disability Discrimination Act Part IV came into effect making it illegal for disabled children and students in education to be less favourably treated. Providers of education have to make sure where reasonably possible that disabled learners are no longer disadvantaged. The law covers all areas of education such as schools, colleges, universities, adult education and youth services.

Literature and advice for disabled people, parents and others is available free from the Disability Rights Commission

Tel: 08457 622 633
Textphone: 08457 622 644
Fax: 08457 778 878
Email: enquiry@drc-gb.org|

DRC Helpline
FREEPOST MID02164
Stratford upon Avon
CV37 9BR

Children and young people

If you are caring for a child or young person with Special Educational Needs, you can get help from your Local Education Authority.

Adults

There are a number of places where adults with special needs can get education:

Age Concern| (new window)
Astral House
1268 London Road
London
SW16 4ER

Information Line: 0800 00 99 66

Age Concern offer recreation and educational courses for the Carer and person being cared for subject to the Carer being aged 55 or over. The range of activities includes:

• Computer classes
• Gentle keep fit
• Relaxation
• Art and crafts
• Debating group
• Gardening
• Other useful contacts

Here is a brief list of sites you might find of interest:

ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)| (new window)
Tel: 08457 474747
A free, confidential advice service to employers and employees. 

Carers Information| (new window)
The Carers Centre
Austin Friars
Stafford
ST17 4AP

Tel: (01785) 606675
Fax: (01785) 220665
Email: info@carersinformation.org.uk|

Department for Education and Skills| (new window)
This is a government education site providing information on any area of learning for both young people and adults.

Tel: 0870 000 2288
Email: info@dfes.gsi.gov.uk|

The Department of Trade and Industry| (new window) can supply information on a range of employment issues including flexible working and parental leave for both employee and employer.

Enquiry Line:020 7215 5000 or 020 7215 6740 (Minicom)
Email: dti.enquiries@dti.gsi.gov.uk|

Education and Training in Bedfordshire| (new window) - for information on learning places to do with Higher Education, Further Education, Secondary Education, Primary, Infant and Junior Schools.

My Future Today  (new window) - for a range of courses including basic skills, trainingand adult education opportunities. 

For information or to enquire about employment training Email: care@bedscc.gov.uk|