- Sir KC MP to lead new Autism
Employment Review
- Focus on supporting employers to recruit and retain autistic
people and reap benefits of a neurodiverse workforce
- Recommendations for change to be brought to Government later
this year
A new review designed to boost the employment prospects of
autistic people has been launched by the Government to spread
opportunity, close the employment gap and grow the economy.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, MP, has appointed Sir 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.
People with autism have particularly low employment rates – with
fewer than three in 10 in work – but the Buckland Review of
Autism Employment, supported by charity Autistica and the
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is aiming to
change that.
The Review will ask businesses, employment organisations,
specialist support groups and autistic people to help identify
the barriers to securing and retaining work and progressing with
their careers.
The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, said:
We know autistic people can face barriers moving into employment
and staying there. This is often down to the employers themselves
not having the tools to support autistic people, or truly
understanding the value of a neurodiverse workforce.
This important review will provide us with vital information to
remove these barriers and help more autistic people start, stay
and succeed in work by ensuring more employers provide truly
inclusive places to work. I look forward to seeing the
recommendations from the review.
Rt Hon Sir KC MP said:
I am delighted to have been asked to lead this important Review.
Our workplaces and businesses would benefit so much from the huge
potential that autistic people represent.
If we close the employment gap for autistic people, it will not
just mean individual fulfilment but a significant boost to
employment and productivity for our country.
The Buckland Review of Autism Employment will consider issues
including:
- how employers identify and better support autistic staff
already in their workforce;
- what more could be done to prepare autistic people
effectively for beginning or returning to a career;
- and working practices or initiatives to reduce stigma and
improve the productivity of autistic employees.
It will focus specifically on autistic people, and aim to develop
solutions that:
- will be acceptable to autistic people.
- will be effective at improving autistic people’s outcomes.
- will be feasible for employers or public services to deliver.
The Review will also look at employers who are benefitting from a
neurodiverse workforce, like London manufacturer KwickScreen. The
innovative company provides transparent screens to every UK
hospital and played a pivotal role in the NHS’s 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.
Dr James Cusack, Chief Executive of the UK autism research and
campaigning charity, Autistica said:
The benefits for autistic people and society will be huge if we
can give autistic people the opportunity to work and thrive in
employment. That’s why as a charity we want to see a doubling of
the employment rate for autistic people by 2030.
We are delighted to support the government on this vital review
which will enable us to move from awareness to evidence-based
action. This will help us to rethink how we approach autistic
people’s access to work and perhaps drive a wider rethink around
how we accommodate everyone in work, as we all think differently
with unique strengths, challenges and needs.
As part of the review, many of the adjustments and initiatives
that would benefit autistic people could also benefit a wider
group of people who think differently, including those with other
neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia
and dyspraxia.
Further Information
- The Buckland Review of Autism Employment is intended to
complement, rather than duplicate, the
Government’s national strategy for
autistic children, young people and adults: 2021-26, which
also recognises employment as a priority.
- The review will be GB-wide and the leadership role is an
unpaid position
- The Buckland Review of Autism Employment will start next
month, with recommendations issued to report to the Secretary of
State in September 2023.
- Alongside the review, autism charity Autistica are raising
awareness of the barriers autistic people face with the
traditional interview process.
- Their Hire Different campaign, which runs for World
Autism Acceptance Week from March 27, directs employers to
the Autistica Employers Guide to Neurodiversity which has
guidance on how to run inclusive interviews.
- They are also encouraging people to get involved in their
research and campaigning around employment. Learn more about
the campaign at: https://www.autistica.org.uk/hire-different
