More about the changes we are asking for

Adults with autism need:

Employment and Support Allowance to work for them
The process of applying for Employment and Support Allowance (the new benefit for people who may find it harder to get a job because of their disability) is confusing and inappropriate for people with autism.

For example, sick notes add an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy to benefit applications and are resulting in people entitled to benefits having their support cut due to poor administration. The DWP carries out its own medical assessment as part of the ESA application process, so there is no need for sick notes for ESA applications and they should be scrapped.

Jobcentre Plus staff to understand and meet their needs
People with autism rely on Jobcentre Plus staff for the support they need to get a job or access benefits, so these staff must understand autism. There is limited training available to some staff but this doesn’t currently meet the needs of adults with autism. It is vital that staff knowledge, understanding and capacity are increased.

Personal advisors in Jobcentre Plus, who carry out Work Focused Interviews, have no autism training. An individual with autism could miss their interview or be perceived to not engage in their interview due to their autism, yet the absence of any autism knowledge among frontline staff means that people risk being unfairly sanctioned. If personal advisors have the right to impose sanctions on benefit claimants then they have to understand their needs.

A national strategy to transform access to employment
National leadership is needed to make these vital changes happen. The Government’s strategy for supporting adults with autism in England must include a comprehensive focus on employment, delivered through a network of Specialist Autism Teams in every local area.