A Review of the Research Literature on Supported Employment

A Report for the cross-Government learning disability employment strategy team undertaken by Dr Stephen Beyer and Dr Carol Robinson

This review was commissioned to inform the cross-government strategy on increasing employment for people with learning disabilities: Valuing People Now (2009) and Public Service Agreement 16 aim to increase the numbers of people with learning disabilities in paid work. However, neither have yet specified an overall target to achieve increased employment rates for this group.

This review focuses on current knowledge about training and employment techniques that specifically meet the needs of people with learning disabilities. Whilst there is a vast literature on training and employment of the general population, it has been important to concentrate on literature relevant to the needs of people with a learning disability. The emphasis here is on