Post-19 education provision for young people with complex learning difficulties living in Wales (2012-13)
Ruth Townsley led a consortium, comprising Cardiff University, the University of Bristol and Carol Robinson Consulting, to undertake research to identify levels of need and current provision and to assess how unmet need could be provided for. The research was commissioned by the Welsh Government to inform the development of future arrangements for post-16 additional learning needs in schools and further education. It involved a mixture of desk based analysis, focus groups and interviews young people with complex learning difficulties, family members and professionals working in local authorities, special schools, FE colleges and independent specialist colleges.
The full report, summary report and easy read summary were published by the Welsh Government in May 2013. Read more here.
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Employment outcomes for young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (2013-14)
The Welsh Government commissioned Ruth Townsley to undertake this research, in partnership with the Universities of Cardiff and Bristol, to inform the development of the ASD Strategic Action Plan for Wales and in response to concerns about post-education employment outcomes of young people. The research included interviews with 26 young people with ASD and their families to understand more about the lived experience of securing, or trying to secure employment after leaving formal education, the nature of support received and the difference this made to any employment outcomes achieved. There was also an online survey and follow-up interviews with mainstream, pan-disability and ASD-specific employment support services in Wales, to understand the extent to which they could address the key barriers to employment for young people with ASD.
Outputs published by the Welsh Government in 2014 included the full report, a summary report, an easy read summary and a separate evidence review. Read more here.
