Five ways the UK government can support Disabled older people access work

The newly published Keep Britain Working Review is an important step forward in helping support more Disabled people out of economic inactivity and into work.  

But the review's recommendations will take time, and change will be gradual.  

And so, there is more for the government to do in this area, particularly in supporting Disabled older people who face a double prejudice that significantly restricts their involvement in the job market. 
 

Our recent Supporting Disabled Older Workers report, co-produced with an Expert by Experience Steering Group, offers practical recommendations to improve support for Disabled people and people with long-term health conditions in their 50s and 60s, to find and stay in work.

Here we outline five key areas where government can take steps to help create a more inclusive labour market for Disabled older workers. 

1. Make recruitment accessible for all

Too many barriers arise even before Disabled older workers reach the workplace. Of Disabled people aged 50-66, more than two in five felt they had experienced negative treatment when applying for jobs or promotions in the past five years. Fear of stigma and uncertainty about how applications would be received left many lacking the confidence to apply for roles.  

The UK government can play a key role in supporting employers to adopt clear, supportive processes that allow candidates to disclose impairments safely, feel confident in applying, and to trust that any information shared will be treated with care and transparency.  

Guidance – co-designed with Disabled older people – could include information on anonymised application processes, inclusive select tests and clear advice for candidates on disclosure and workplace adjustments.  Additionally, the government should be encouraging large employers to publicly report their disability pay gap and diversity data. 

2. Boost awareness and access to employment support

Employment support is critical in supporting Disabled older people to stay in work, but awareness remains low. In line with other responses about Access to Work, one participant described Access to Work as ‘the government’s best kept secret.’

Whilst there has been an uptake in Access to Work claims, we need the government to work collaboratively with users and stakeholders to streamline the application process, making it accessible for more of those that need it, This needs to be part of a wider initiative to raise awareness of the employment support available. 

3. Reform of Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service

When support from Jobcentre Plus works well, support staff are empathetic and understanding of specific health conditions and older workers’ needs. But too often, participants describe experiences as bureaucratic, impersonal, and lacking compassion.  

There is a need to ensure that the reform of Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service, focuses on culture, including specialist disability and age-inclusive training.

Reform is needed to create a culture of respect and inclusion, with specialist disability and age-awareness training for staff. The new body should embed inclusive practice to ensure every older Disabled jobseeker received tailored, constructive support – with new programmes developed with lived experience at the heart. 

4. Commission research into reducing burden on ‘sandwich generations’

Many Disabled older people are part of the ‘sandwich generations’ who are supporting younger and older family members, juggling caring responsibilities alongside their own health needs and work demands.  

Social and family activities are sacrificed to prioritise recovering and resting for work, with some likening their experience to being a “hamster on a wheel.” Research for our Supporting Disabled Older Workers project found that one in six Disabled older workers struggled to manage caring responsibilities.  

Part-time and flexible work can help regain the work-life balance, but reduced hours are often unaffordable. The UK government should commission further research on how to reduce the burden on ‘sandwich generations,’ for instance through reforms to childcare and social care. 

5. Actively involve Disabled older people in developing policies

To deliver meaningful and lasting change, it is fundamental to include people with lived experience in the solutions process. Our research has clearly shown that those with lived experience have a vital role to play in conducting research and helping to shape policies and practices.

The government should actively involve Disabled older people in developing policies aimed at addressing economic inactivity.

Only by listening to the experiences of Disabled older people can the government help to end the double prejudice they face.