NHS Scotland learning disability employment: tools and guidance - easy read version

6. Starting the New Job and Development

Once in employment, there are things the employer must do and adjustments that can be made to help employees with learning disabilities. There are also things that employers can do to help employees settle in to their jobs which will mean they are more likely to stay in the jobs.

Pre-employment checks

All the same pre-employment checks will apply for people with learning disabilities.

References

References are also important, and may be more challenging for people with learning disabilities who may not have much employment experience.

You should ask for references to try and build up a picture about a person's ability to do a job. If there are no work references, you can ask for them for one that is not from the workplace or a personal reference.

Employment Contract

Employees must be given an employment contract within 8 weeks of their start date. An employee with a learning disability might need some help to understand this contract.

Although the employment contract itself cannot be changed to easy read, a summary sheet in easy read can be given with the full contract.

Welcome to new role

People will need to be welcomed into the organisation and their new job. You should make reasonable adjustments to give training. Managers should keep in mind that it may take longer for people with learning disabilities to become comfortable in their new role and learn the skills needed to do the job.

Development

Once someone with a learning disability has successfully been hired, they should be supported through the normal Development and Review process.

Plans should include support needed to do training and using online tools and resources. This would be a good time to think about any adjustments that may be needed to support the individual.