AQW 26005/17-22


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 18/11/2021
Answered On Date: 04/12/2020
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) the assessment process for adults with suspected dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD (a) in further and higher education; and (b) seeking employment; (ii) what public support is available for adults diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD; and (iii) whether students in further and higher education in Northern Ireland are able to access support services for suspected dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD without waiting on an official diagnosis.


Answer:
The Department for the Economy (DfE), in conjunction with other departments including the Department for Communities (DfC), remains committed to removing barriers for adults diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia and Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (NI) Order 2005 (SENDO), Further Education (FE) colleges are required to make reasonable adjustments for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (SLDD), so that they can access provision. The Department assists FE colleges in fulfilling this obligation by providing funding to support SLDD students through the Additional Support Fund (ASF) provides £4.5 million funding to colleges annually to assist in the provision of additional support to enable students to complete a course of study and/or progress to further study, training, employment or to independent living.
Each student enrolled in FE who declares a learning difficulty and / or disability undergoes an educational needs assessment, which determines the level of additional support required to meet their particular needs. The level of support provided is designed around the individual student and depends on both the nature of the disability and the course of study. Details of learning support needs are contained within an individual Supplementary Learning Agreement (SLA) which is jointly completed by the college representative and the learner.
All assessments are carried out by an appropriately qualified person and actively involve the student, with the level of support to be agreed by both parties. Appropriate evidence is required to be provided by the student before support arrangements can be finalised and must be provided by a suitably qualified person, for example a medical professional, an educational psychologist or a specialist assessor with a qualification in assessment at or equivalent to level 7.
Each of the FE colleges has a well-established Learning Support Service across its campuses. Each campus has a Student Engagement and Support Team with a designated Learning Support Officer who carry out screening tests to identify indicators of specific learning difficulty for students who have suspected dyslexia, dyscalculia and/or dyspraxia. Where necessary, support is provided until a formal assessment is carried out.
DfE provides grant support to assist eligible Higher Education students with additional course-related costs incurred as a direct result of their disability, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty. This grant is known as the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) and can support a student with specialist equipment, non-medical help, and travel costs. To qualify for DSA, a student must have a disability that meets the definition under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as amended. This can include a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia or dyspraxia. Evidence provided of disability in the form of a report or letter from a doctor or consultant, or a diagnostic assessment from a psychologist or suitably qualified teacher is a prerequisite for DSA. Responsibility for the assessment of eligibility and administration of DSA rests with the Education Authority.
As apprentices participating on DfE funded training programmes are deemed to be in employment, under the Disability Discrimination Act it is their employer’s responsibility to arrange assessment. The Department has core programmes in place – Training for Success, Skills for Life and Work, and Apprenticeships NI through which the training providers are resourced to routinely provide additional support for participants who have a disability that impacts their programme experience.
For those seeking employment the DfC provides support for those with disabilities and health conditions, including those with dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD, to progress towards, move into and stay in employment.
Work Coaches in each Jobs & Benefits Offices (JBO) work with individuals who have a health condition or disability, including conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD to help, support and encourage them closer to/back to work.
The provision available to people with diagnosed dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD in seeking employment or in retaining employment includes the Condition Management Programme, JobStart, Workable (NI) and Access to Work (NI) Programmes. Individuals will be referred to the most appropriate programme(s) based on their need.
As people with diagnosed or suspected dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD may experience stress and anxiety as a barrier to work the Condition Management Programme helps these individuals manage their conditions and assist them to build their resilience when seeking employment. The programme is delivered by healthcare professionals, such as Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Mental Health Nurses.
The JobStart scheme offers young people aged 16 to 24 who are at risk of long term unemployment, including those with dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD, an extended JobStart opportunity for up to nine months. These young people are matched to job opportunities by the work coaches in the local JBO, and monitored by either their work coach or by the JobStart team to ensure they are receiving the appropriate support.
Access to Work NI can help people with disabilities who wish to take up employment or who are in work and experience difficulty related to their disability. For example, it can assist with the provision of special aids and equipment to suit particular work needs arising from disability such as assistive technology for people with dyslexia.
Workable (NI) offers a flexible range of long-term support to help people with dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD to find and keep work. Workable (NI) tailors support for individuals to meet their specific needs in the workplace including one-to-one help from an Employment Support Officer to help them adapt to the demands of the job, extra training for the employer and disability awareness training for the employer and work colleagues.
In addition, DfC also provides match funding to a number of European Social Fund projects, funding interventions to enhance and extend employment opportunities, particularly for those groups at a disadvantage in the labour market including dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD.