The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that thousands of autistic jobseekers across Scotland and the rest of the UK are set to benefit from calmer jobcentre environments and tailored support after 15 were accredited by the National Autistic Society (NAS) following a successful pilot.
Since the launch of the trial in October last year, the jobcentres have been testing an autism framework, designed in collaboration with NAS, to transform the service for people on the autistic spectrum to help them find, retain and progress in fulfilling work.
The framework helped to make jobcentres and employment opportunities more accessible through awareness videos, accessibility leaflets and training for work coaches, as well as introducing a quieter and calmer environment for autistic jobseekers.
Just 21.7 per cent of working age people with autism are in employment, compared to 53.6 per cent of all disabled people, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Seven Scottish jobcentres are among the 15 accredited sites across the UK.
These are:
- Alloa
- Falkirk
- High Riggs
- Leith
- Musselburgh
- Paisley
- Fraserburgh
The UK Government is now stepping up plans to get more jobcentres across Scotland, England and Wales involved to make employment opportunities more accessible to those on the autism spectrum.
During a visit to one of the newly accredited sites at Slough Jobcentre, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work witnessed first-hand how staff have adapted their approach when supporting autistic customers.
Chloe Smith MP 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 National Autistic Society, 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.
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