A FUND has been set up to help people with learning disabilities after a man with Asperger’s had his benefits cut for failing to attend a Jobcentre course.

Charity HEALS Malmesbury will provide psychological assessments for people who need proof they are unfit for regular employment.

This follows the charity helping Alan Smith from Cirencester, who has Asperger’s syndrome – a disorder on the autism spectrum – and claims that the town’s Jobcentre failed to give him the support he needed to maintain employment.

After failing to attend a training course, Mr Smith was sanctioned and lived on reduced benefits until HEALS staff took him to a doctor and he was declared not fit for work due to the severity of his social disability.

A Department of Work and Pensions spokesman said: “Our staff are committed to supporting Mr Smith into a job that he can do, rather than writing people off because they have a certain condition. However Mr Smith has been offered additional training and extra support, which he has repeatedly refused.

“A decision on suspending benefits isn’t taken lightly, and our staff have discussed the system of hardship payments with him.”

HEALS Malmesbury chairman Gavin Grant said Mr Smith’s case was not unusual.

“Too many vulnerable people like Alan are failed by a system that is meant to help them,” he said. “It is obvious that Alan has an educational disability. He needs help, not sanctioning that leaves him without cash.

“HEALS of Malmesbury is working with an educational psychologist to formally assess people like Alan. Our psychologist kindly works for HEALS at a cut rate. But each assessment costs £500. We need to raise £5,000 to fundamentally change life for the better for 10 vulnerable and worried people like Alan.”

Green MEP for the South West, Molly Scott Cato, also expressed her shock at the way mental health assessments are carried out.

She said: “That these assessments are being carried out by those with no expertise in mental health is nothing short of scandalous and just adds to the distress to those who are already highly vulnerable."

Dr Scott Cato is calling on US corporation Maximus to ensure that only those with skills and expertise in mental health issues make such assessments. The company have been awarded the new contract for WCA following the termination of the contract with Atos.

Dr Scott Cato said: “For assessments to be carried out in a fair, effective and accurate manner it is essential that staff have the right skills and expertise in mental health issues.”  

Donations to Alan’s Fund can be posted to the HEALS office in Malmesbury High Street.