§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide disability awareness/equality training to employers as part of the New Deal for Sick and Disabled People. [43559]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe Employment Service, through its Placing Assessment and Counselling Teams and Disability Employment Advisers, already provides significant support to employers. The Personal Adviser Service, the key part of the New Deal for Disabled People, will also provide employers with advice on employing disabled people. This will complement the role of the many voluntary organisations who also work with employers to increase their disability awareness.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide specialist advisers to the(a) post acute brain injured and (b) recovering mentally ill as part of the New Deal for Sick and Disabled People. [43570]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthWe will expect those providing the Personal Adviser Service as part of the New Deal for Disabled People to ensure advisers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and expertise to support people with a wide range of specialist needs, including the post-acute brain injured and people recovering from mental illness.
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§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how much money the Employment Service plans to invest in supported employment programmes for sick and disabled people in 1998–99; [43556]
(2) what funding has been given to supported employment programmes for sick and disabled people since 1995–96 by the Employment Service. [43555]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe information requested is given in the following table.
Supported employment programme Year £ million 1995–96 outturn 154.2 1996–97 outturn 154.3 1997–98 outturn 155.6 1998–99 plans 155.1
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide disability awareness/equality training to personnel in the Careers Service as part of the New Deal for Sick and Disabled People. [43558]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthCareers advisers are required as part of their initial training to undergo disability awareness and equal opportunities training. Training as appropriate will be provided for New Deal for Disabled People Personal Adviser Service staff.