Employers urged to make 'radical difference' to lives of autistic people in work

28 February 2024 , 10:29

780 0

Sir Robert Buckland, who was in charge of a review to change how people get into work, said his ideas could 'make a truly radical difference to the lives of autistic people and their families'

Employers need to do more to help autistic people in work, the Government has said.

The Government says employers should make sure their offices, furniture, tools, and computers are designed in a way that takes account of the needs of people with autism. Sir Robert Buckland, who was in charge of a review to change how people get into work, said his ideas could "make a truly radical difference to the lives of autistic people and their families".

Charities have welcomed the report and want the Government to put these changes in place "to ensure change is real and embedded". The Department for Work and Pensions has found that only three out of 10 autistic adults have a job, even though most want to work.

This number is less than the half of all disabled people who work and the eight out of 10 people without disabilities who have jobs, according to the Government. This new review is part of the Government's plan to make the UK "the most accessible place in the world".

It's happening while the Government is changing the welfare system to help more disabled people and those with health issues find work. The Government will create a special team to keep working on what the review started in April last year.

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

The report has 19 ideas for businesses and the Government, like joining the Autistica charity's Neurodiversity Employers' Index to get help on making things fair for everyone and helping autistic workers move up in their jobs with special training. It also said that job advice could be better if advisers knew how to help autistic people looking for work.

The report suggests making "autism design guides" to help make workplaces, furniture, and tools that are good for autistic people. It also says bosses should help make computer systems that work well for them. Sir Robert said: "It has been a tremendous privilege to compile this report, and to hear from hundreds of autistic people about their experiences.

"He added: This is all about them, and we couldn't have done it without their help. The review can make a truly radical difference to the lives of autistic people and their families. I call on employers and Government to lead this change and make these recommendations a reality."

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said that businesses and the Government "must come together if we are to create the cultural change needed to move the dial". He said: "Backed by the extra employment support provided through our £2.5 billion Back to Work Plan, this report provides employers with practical and inexpensive steps to open up workplaces to autistic people, boost employment rates and, above all, change autistic people's lives."

Social care minister Helen Whately called the review a "major step" in tackling barriers that have been in the workplace "for too long". Adam Micklethwaite, from the Autism Alliance, said: "With so many skills and strengths to offer, it's indefensible that autistic people continue to have one of the lowest employment rates of any group.

He added: "We're missing out on billions in benefit to the economy, and preventing autistic people from leading happy and fulfilled lives. We urge the Government to implement the recommendations of this important new report, led by a taskforce to ensure change is real and embedded."

Anna Bird, who leads the Disabled Children's Partnership, said: "We welcome this constructive review, particularly the idea of ensuring careers advisers are trained to provide appropriate advice to autistic jobseekers.

"We know from our Failed and Forgotten Report that only 12% of parents believe that their disabled young person receives the correct level of support to meet their needs from training, employment or voluntary placement. 64% of respondents had autistic children. We would ask that whoever forms the government after the election commits to this."

Vicky Foxcroft, Labour's spokesperson for disabled people, said: "Three-quarters of unemployed autistic people say they want to work, but they need the right support. But on the Tories' watch, the number of people stuck on the waiting list for the Government's Access to Work support scheme has soared to a record high. It is time for change.

"A future Labour government will work closely with disabled people to ensure we have a scheme that works for autistic people, reduces the employment gap, and supports people into work."