A new Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) drive to get more disabled people into work is turning its attention to those with autism.
Around 114,000 people in the UK are on the disability benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for autism, which is one of many hidden disabilities that means some people are eligible for the benefit.
People who claim PIP receive up to £691 a month, with a total of three million people on this benefit across the country, Birmingham Live reports.
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The Government says people with autism have particularly low employment rates, with fewer than three in 10 in work, but its new review aims to change that. A leading charity has backed the move and says it wants to see twice as many autistic people in the workplace.
The DWP said it wants to boost work prospects and will focus on supporting employers to recruit and retain autistic people and "reap the benefits of a neurodiverse workforce." Proposals are to go before the Government later this year.
The new initiative has been launched by the Government to "spread opportunity, close the employment gap and grow the economy." Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride has appointed Sir Robert Buckland KC MP to lead the review, which will consider how the Government can work with employers to help more autistic people realise their potential and get into work.
As part of the Buckland Review of Autism Employment, supported by the charity Autistica, businesses, employment organisations, specialist support groups and autistic people will be asked to help identify the barriers to getting a job. It will look at issues including how employers identify and support autistic staff already in their workforce as well as what more could be done to prepare autistic people for a career.
It will also examine working practices to reduce stigma and improve the productivity of autistic employees. The aim is then to come up with solutions that are acceptable for autistic people, effective at getting more people into work, and feasible for employers and public services to put in place.
Some employers are already benefiting from a neurodiverse workforce, including KwickScreen. The company provides transparent screens to every UK hospital and played a vital role in the NHS response to the covid pandemic. On a recent visit to their Lewisham base, the Minister and Sir Robert discovered many of the breakthrough initiatives in the company came from the neurodiverse members of the team.
The review will also look at how many initiatives that would benefit people with autism could also help a wider group of people with other neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia.
The Buckland Review of Autism Employment will start next month, with recommendations issued to report to the Secretary of State in September 2023.
Autistica has an Employers' Guide to Neurodiversity which explains how to run more inclusive interviews when hiring staff. It is also encouraging people to get involved in its research and campaigning around employment.
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