Act early to boost job outcomes for young disabled people
The solution? Earlier intervention.
Through the Churchill Fellowship, I had the opportunity to explore best practice in the USA and Canada, two countries that prove starting young makes all the difference.
In the USA, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) introduce career support as early as five years old. This early start helps young disabled children view a career as something that is not only their right but something they should be aspiring towards. The results speak for themselves: higher employment rates, better-paid roles, and a significant economic return. For every dollar invested in early transition planning, the return is an estimated five dollars.
If the UK wants to bridge its employment gap, it must take inspiration from these international models. Waiting until the final years of education to act is not enough. We need a fundamental and systemic shift in approach. All disabled children should be supported to believe that a job is within reach. This means giving the same opportunities to explore, experience and aim high.
Success doesn't start at the school gates on the way out. If we're serious about helping young people thrive, we need consistent, joined-up support long before they leave education. Too often, young disabled people face fragmented systems that simply don't match the support their peers receive. Every disabled student deserves meaningful work experience, not just token placements in low-skilled roles.
Scotland, and the UK as a whole, must foster ambition from an early age, no matter a child's circumstances. Failing to act now means failing an entire generation. It also means missing a huge economic opportunity. The UK simply cannot afford to get this wrong.
Ashley Ryan is director of Enable Works, one of the largest employment support teams in the UK. Her team supports more than 7,000 people who have learning disabilities or barriers to work to develop their employment skills and achieve well paid, sustainable careers.
Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@theherald.co.uk
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