NIACE undertakes research for Mencap Thursday, April 7, 2011 - 11:38

Recent legislative changes - in particular the dissolution of the Learning and Skills Council and the creation of the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) - could mean a significant number of adults with learning disabilities are missing out on opportunities to take part in learning. In order to be better placed to respond to these challenges, Mencap has commissioned NIACE to carry out some research.

The research, due to be completed by the end of June 2011, will examine the:

• number of people with a learning disability accessing post-16 provision;
• type of provision being accessed;
• length of time spent in provision and learners' aims post FE; and
• details of recent changes to FE provision and the numbers of learners this has impacted.

As part of the research NIACE will analyse national data as well as undertaking more detailed work with major providers in a number of Local Authority areas. Up to 6 Local Authorities areas are being sought to take part in the research - to register an interest or for more information contact Fiona.Aldridge@niace.org.uk.

Peter Lavender, Deputy Chief Executive at NIACE, said:

"NIACE is delighted to support our partner in Mencap with this important piece of research. As survey evidence has shown in recent years, there is a real disquiet about the provision of learning opportunities for adults with learning disabilities once they reach adulthood. Hopefully this study will provide Mencap with some hard evidence of the impact of funding changes and the value learners place on their provision."