The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed that thousands of Scottish claimants with autism will benefit from improved and specialised support measures.
Some 15 Jobcentres around Scotland and the UK have received accreditation from the National Autistic Society (NAS) after a successful pilot.
Claimants at the locations will now benefit from calmer environments and more specialised support, as reported by the Daily Record.
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Since the beginning of the pilot last October, the Jobcentres have been trialling an an autism framework in collaboration with the NAS to remodel the service for people on the autistic spectrum in an effort to assist them in finding and retaining employment.
The framework was introduced to ensure Jobcentres and employment opportunities were more accessible via awareness videos, accessibility leaflets and specialised training for work coaches — as well as the introduction of a more quiet and calm environment.
Just under 22% of people of working age with autism are currently employed, compared with 53.6% of all disabled people, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The seven Scottish Jobcentres that are now accredited by the NAS are:
- Alloa
- Falkirk
- High Riggs
- Leith
- Musselburgh
- Paisley
- Fraserburgh
The UK Government is ramping up plans to get more Jobcentres across the nation accredited to ensure that people across the UK with autism have greater access to employment opportunities.
Whilst visiting one of the newly accredited Jobcentres in Slough, UK Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Chloe Smith said: “It’s fantastic to see Jobcentres, including seven in Scotland, taking steps to break down the barriers that have prevented autistic people from finding fulfilling jobs where they can thrive.
“By offering new specialist training to our Jobcentre staff, we are helping to deliver more employment opportunities for those on the autism spectrum, as we work towards seeing one million more disabled people in work by 2027.
“Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to work, and this government has ambitious plans to ensure those with special educational needs have the tools they need to have fulfilling careers – from schools through to Jobcentres.”
Christine Flintoft-Smith, Head of Autism Accreditation at the NAS, said: “We’re really pleased that the pilot has been a success and look forward to exploring ways to help more Jobcentres work better for autistic people.
“Autistic people have a huge amount to offer a range of employers but many face huge barriers finding and staying in work.
“The strategies introduced by each of these Jobcentres should help autistic jobseekers get the support they need when they visit, delivered in a way that works for each individual. We hope this will ultimately lead to more autistic people finding the jobs they want and deserve.”
Some of the adjustments DWP Jobcentres have made to become autism-friendly include ensuring Jobcentre appointments with autistic customers take place in more peaceful environments and educating local employers on the additional requirements of autistic workers.
For example, many autistic people become distressed in busy, bright or noisy surroundings, therefore Jobcentre staff having been carrying out appointments with customers triggered in this way in quieter rooms, with more appropriate lighting.
Stephen Lismore, Autism Policy lead at the DWP said: “This project will inform wider changes to the whole Jobcentre network. We’re building on the learning and experience to introduce a framework of training and support for all Jobcentres.
“Alongside our Disability Confident work with employers, we’re making sure that our offer for autistic customers is stronger than ever before.”
One in 100 people in the UK are autistic, according to the National Autistic Society, representing a total of around 70,000 of the population.
The charity’s research has found that not all autistic people are able to work, but the vast majority want to.
Find out more about autism on the National Autistic Society’s website here.
