Bosses urged to aid slow learners.

DUDLEY Council is encouraging more employers in the borough to provide paid employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

The latest Government consultation, Valuing People Now, calls for adult social services and the employment and education sectors to work together to create more opportunities for people with learning disabilities to find paid work.

The council supports people with learning disabilities into paid work by assisting them with job finding, helping to fill in application forms, support at interview and even working alongside the individual while they learn the job. There's also support with training to improve prospects of finding paid work.

The council has a number of people with learning disabilities working in their offices and are now calling on other employers in the borough to contact them to find out about the benefits of working with people with learning disabilities.

Coun Peter Miller, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "People with learning disabilities want to lead ordinary lives and do the things that most people take for granted. Work plays a big part in all our lives and a working environment offers opportunities for social contacts and increases people's self-esteem."

The council's job coach, Judith Rumble, provides an on-going contact for employers to provide support and advice.

For more information contact Judith on 01384 812376.