News

The Work and Pensions Committee has published its report about the Disability Employment Gap. The report recommends a greater focus on retention, better use of specialists, and again calls for a senior disability work coach role to be reintroduced. It suggests that employers who recruit people with disabilities could receive National Insurance incentives.

The Department for Education is seeking evidence on the experiences and outcomes of children and young people in residential special schools and colleges. Responses should be sent to Lenehan.Review@education.gov.uk by 17 March 2017.

The Prime MInister has announced a new partnership with employers to improve mental health support in the workplace. The initiative is part of a renewed emphasis on addressing the inequalities faced by people experiencing mental health problems.

The Department for Education is consulting on the draft strategic guidance document from Government to the Institute for Apprenticeships for 2017-18. The consultation closes on 31 January 2017.

The Government has set out a programme of reform to raise the quality and quantity of apprenticeships. To underpin these reforms, the Institute for Apprenticeships will be established as an independent body to act as the guarantor of the integrity of the apprenticeships system, with a mandate to assure quality and provide objective advice on future funding for apprenticeship training.