Jobcentre staff to be trained to help find work for autistic people
The new framework has been designed with the National Autistic Society
Last updated 27th May 2022
Jobcentre staff are to be given specialist training to help autistic people find work, the government has revealed.
Under a new government scheme to create better work opportunities, staff in fifteen centres will take part in the training.
The new 'autism framework' has been designed in conjunction with the National Autistic Society in order to reach the goal.
Part of a pilot scheme, all fifteen centres will be based across England, Scotland and Wales with the ultimate goal of providing easier access to work for people with autism.
Some of the training will include holding meetings in appropriate environments to help autistic jobseekers feel more comfortable.
Other aspects will look at educating employers, both locally and nationally, about additional needs for autistic workers.
Tim Nicholls from the National Autistic Society said that a safe space needs to be created in order to help potentially nervous jobseekers from the moment they enter the centre.
"It completely sets the tone for everything that comes after it. If you have a terrible experience as soon as you walk in, an autistic person could become incredibly anxious," he said.
"Actually, it means that they would find it much harder to deal with it and get something productive out of the appointment they are trying to attend."
If successful, the scheme will then be rolled out nationwide to help provide job equality for autistic people.
Speaking about the change in policy, Minister for Disabled People, Chloe Smith welcomed the new framework.
She said: "By testing this autism framework and offering new specialist training to our jobcentre staff we are helping to deliver more employment opportunities for those who would otherwise feel locked out, as we work towards seeing one million more disabled people in work by 2027."