National charity Mencap has launched the Job Squad, a campaign showcasing people with learning disabilities thriving in the workplace and demonstrating the value of inclusive hiring.

Launched to mark Learning Disability Week (June 15-21), the campaign arrives as a new survey of more than 1,600 employers reveals that 80% believe people with a learning disability can be productive employees, yet 48% employ none.

Over a third of those polled cite health and safety concerns as a barrier, while 30% worry about “saying or doing the wrong thing” and 23% are unaware of the adjustments they need to make to accomodate people with learning disabilities.

Despite these concerns, most employers say adjustments are inexpensive (53%) and straightforward when the right support is in place (69%).

Mencap says the findings highlight a clear challenge - employers across the UK are being held back from hiring people with a learning disability by a ‘misplaced fear’ of getting it wrong, not by cost or capability.

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive at Mencap, said: “The good news is that most [employers] already believe people with a learning disability can do the job, but that belief isn’t translating into action.

“If we’re serious about widening access to work, employers need the right information and support to move beyond good intentions and act on the commitment people with a learning disability bring.”

The Job Squad

Mencap’s Job Squad is made up of six people who are already succeeding in paid roles across hospitality, retail and education. They include:

Aaron, 25, from London.

Aaron works full-time as a kitchen porter at BaxterStorey. He travels independently to work and takes pride in being part of a busy team.

“A job gives you that feeling of accomplishment. You feel like you have a bit of purpose when you wake up in the morning,” he says.

Aaron, who has a learning disability, cerebral palsy and developmental delay, says small adjustments and supportive colleagues have made a significant difference.

“The team treats me the same as everyone else… instead of telling me I can’t do things, they show me how to do them and support me to get better.”

Emily Williams, 18, from Cumbria

Emily has secured her first paid job at Booths supermarket, where she has grown in confidence and independence.

“I have definitely become more confident since starting work. I also really like earning some money that I can spend on things I want,” she says.

Before starting her role, Emily says finding paid employment was challenging and relied on support from her family. “It wasn’t easy at all. It was my mum who approached Booths,” she explains.

Emily believes more support is needed to help young people with a learning disability access work. “There needs to be a lot more support available, in particular for teenagers with a disability, to help them enter the world of work,” she adds.

Arjhay, 22, from London

Arjhay works front of house at Chopstix in Brent Cross. He describes his role as his “dream job” and credits simple adjustments, like clear instructions and extra time to learn, for helping him succeed.

Before securing paid employment, Arjhay completed two internships through Mencap, at Boots and Chopstix, which helped him build confidence and workplace skills. “Because I have a learning disability, it wasn’t easy for me to get a paid job. I had to join Mencap to learn about employment first,” he says.

Following these internships, Arjhay was offered a paid role at Chopstix. “When I got the email from Mencap to say I’d been offered a paid job I was so happy,” he says.

An overlooked workforce

Around one million people with a learning disability in the UK are of working age, yet many face significant barriers to employment.

Mencap says the Job Squad highlights what is possible when employers move beyond uncertainty and focus on practical solutions - such as clear instructions, flexible training and supportive management.

The charity is calling on employers to make recruitment processes more accessible, provide clear guidance on reasonable adjustments, offer entry-level and supported routes into work and build confidence through training and real-world examples.