Improving Employment for Autistic Individuals: A Review from the DWP

Around 15 to 20 percent of people have brains that develop or work differently (Zurich, 2024). These neurodivergent people should be embraced and celebrated. Organisations are welcoming the benefits of neurodiversity such as innovation, problem-solving and high accuracy. We were honoured to welcome Stephen Lismore, Head of Autism and Learning Disability Employment Policy, Department for Work and Pensions at our our Neurodiversity in the Workplace Conference 2023. He delivered insights into the Buckland Autism Employment Review, which can be watched above and explained in the summary below.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) focuses on learning disability and autism employment, which is driven by their significantly low employment rates compared to other disabilities, demanding special attention.

Autism is a developmental disability affecting individuals across all social classes and ethnicities. It is a spectrum condition, meaning it varies widely among individuals. Autism often coexists with other neurodiversities and mental health conditions. There is no cure for autism, and most autistic people consider it a fundamental part of their identity.

Recent estimates suggest around 1 in 70 people in the UK are autistic, amounting to about a million people, with approximately 680,000 of working age (National Autistic Society). Despite a strong desire to work, only about 30% of working-age autistic people are employed, compared to 50% of all disabled people and 80% of non-disabled people (Gov UK). Increasing the employment rate for autistic individuals could significantly benefit the labour market.

In response to this issue, Sir Robert Buckland MP led a review on how employers can better recruit, retain, and develop autistic people. The review concluded with a report containing 20 recommendations, set to be published with a high-profile launch in January.

Key recommendations include:

Raising Awareness and Reducing Stigma:

• Launching a positive campaign highlighting the contributions of autistic individuals.
• Collaborating with organisations like Autistica to promote best practices and their Neurodiversity Employers Index.

Preparing Autistic People for Work:

• Creating more opportunities for volunteering, work shadowing, and supported internships.
• Promoting apprenticeships and informing about Access to Work support.

Adjusting Recruitment Processes:

• Moving away from traditional CV and interview methods to more practical assessments and work placements.
• Working with recruitment agencies to adapt their processes.

Supporting Autistic Staff:

• Identifying and supporting existing autistic employees.
• Developing autism design guides for industries and continuing to advance adaptive technology.

Career Progression and Success:

• Establishing support networks to help autistic employees progress within organisations.
• Matching individuals with opportunities and providing necessary training.

Inclusion by Design:

• Implementing inclusive workplace designs and processes that benefit all employees, not just those who declare a disability.

The next steps involve connecting with existing initiatives, generating improvements, creating a task force for long-term guidance, and building a robust evaluation and evidence-gathering programme.

The DWP are excited about the launch of the report and looks forward to making significant strides in improving employment opportunities for autistic individuals. For more information on celebrating inclusion and diversity, view our latest conference below.

View our latest EDI in the Workplace Conference

Why Attend?

• Gain Valuable Insights into the latest trends, best practices, and strategies for promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace
• Learn from expert speakers and industry leaders who will share their experiences and expertise in implementing successful EDI initiatives
• Explore innovative approaches to creating inclusive work environments that foster belonging and respect for all employees
• Acquire practical tools and resources to develop and implement robust EDI policies and practices within your organisation
• Network with like-minded professionals and exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices for advancing EDI in various industries and sectors