Learning Disability and Apprenticeships

I think our our congratulations and thanks are owed to Liberal Democrat peer, Lord Addington, who on 30th Jan 2014, requested written answers from the government to a series of related questions on learning disability and employment, and specifically on apprenticships and on the concept reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Lord Nash on 7 January, from what date apprentices with learning difficulties or disabilities who did not pass a key skills qualification will be able to sit an alternative functional skills test; what guidance individuals will get on accessing that alternative test; and which government department will be responsible for funding that test.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Lord Nash on 7 January, how they will ensure that the websites of apprenticeships providers, awarding bodies and Ofqual contain clear information on the process of complaints, retakes and appeals.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will ensure that learning providers and awarding organisations for apprenticeship qualifications are fulfilling their duties under Part 6 of the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people are, wherever possible, not put at a disadvantage compared to other learners.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to act against learning providers and awarding organisations for apprenticeship qualifications which have not fulfilled their duties under Part 6 of the Equality Act 2010.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that awarding bodies undertake their duties to anticipate the needs of disabled learners to access their assessment products using assistive technology, and fulfil their duties under the Equality Act 2010.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to publish guidance for apprenticeship providers, training providers and awarding bodies on the adjustments which should be offered to all young people on apprenticeships; and how they intend to monitor whether those organisations follow that guidance.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information will be made available on the National Apprenticeship Service website and those of training providers and awarding bodies about assistive technology and reasonable adjustments to support people with learning difficulties.

……

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) replied for the government:

Learning providers and awarding organisations have specific duties under the Equality Act. Part 9 of the Act sets out the proceedings that can be brought and the remedies that can be awarded in the event of any breach.

The next Skills Funding Statement will include a statement to remind training providers of their Equality Act duties. Awarding organisations are also liable to enforcement action by Ofqual if they fail to comply with formal regulatory requirements over equality.

Ofqual has been working with awarding organisations and disability groups including the British Dyslexia Association to address current problems with the incompatibility of some assessment products with assistive technology.

Guidance on reasonable adjustments is available from awarding organisations; many use the comprehensive guidance produced by the Joint Council for Qualifications. Ofqual is responsible for regulating qualifications.

Apprentices with learning difficulties or disabilities who did not pass a Key Skills qualification are already able to take a Functional Skills qualification. We have made arrangements for the Apprenticeship Certification Authority, FISSS to award an apprenticeship certificate when candidates in these circumstances achieve the relevant Functional Skills qualification(s) even if they completed the other parts of the apprenticeship some time earlier.

Full funding for study towards Functional Skills qualifications is available for adults who do not already have level 2 qualifications in English and maths. Individuals should contact their local college or training provider to enquire about eligibility for funding and enrolling on a functional skills course.

We are working with Ofqual to ensure that there is good information for candidates about complaints, retakes and appeals, including material on the appropriate websites. We are commissioning advice for disabled apprentices on reasonable adjustments, including assistive technology; this will be published on the National Apprenticeship Service website.

Hansard source (Citation: HL Deb, 30 January 2014, c244W)