§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Prime Minister what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to help school leavers from special schools to get jobs during the present period of high levels of unemployment amongst school leavers.
§ The Prime MinisterSchool leavers from special schools have access to the full range of assistance offered by the careers service and by the Manpower Services Commission's employment service. In addition there are specialist careers officers for handicapped young people and a number of schemes run by the employment service to help disabled people, including school leavers from special schools, to find jobs.
The youth opportunities programme is currently providing young people with courses of work experience and training. Next year the new youth training scheme will replace the current programme with a full year's foundation training. Both schemes are open to 16 and 17-year-old school leavers from special schools.