A bold new government-backed review has set out a vision for workplace culture changes to support autistic people to start and stay in work.

DWP figures show only around 30% of working age autistic people are in employment, compared with half of all disabled people and eight in ten non-disabled people, despite the majority saying they would like to be employed.

Commissioned by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride and led by Sir Robert Buckland KC, the Review’s 19 recommendations for businesses and government include:

• Signing up for the Autistica Neurodiversity Employers Index to access guidance on designing inclusive processes and procedures.
• Encouraging career progression by developing packages of training focused on autistic staff.
• Improving recruitment by ensuring careers advisers can provide appropriate advice to autistic jobseekers.
• Supporting autistic people who are already in the workplace by producing “autism design guides” to create appropriate premises, furnishings and equipment.
• Working with software suppliers to develop IT systems that meet autistic people’s needs.

The Buckland Review of Autism Employment was supported by charity Autistica and includes the views of hundreds of employers and autistic people.

It sets out how businesses and government can work together over the next five years – whether that is showcasing the successes of autism employment, developing pilot programmes in national and multinational companies, or providing tailored support for autistic staff at work.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, said:

“I want autistic people to have every opportunity to benefit from work, and recognise that businesses and government must come together if we are to create the cultural change needed to move the dial.

“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.”

Sir Robert Buckland KC MP said:

“It has been a tremendous privilege to compile this report, and to hear from hundreds of autistic people about their experiences. 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.”

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Mims Davies MP, said:

“There are so many benefits and positives autistic people can bring to the workplace, and this is matched by what employment can bring to them. We must make sure they get the work opportunities they want and deserve.

“This welcome and important review will help ensure autistic people can thrive and progress in the labour market. I am keen employers get behind these recommendations, and partner with us to truly make our workforce more inclusive and welcoming.”

The review is the latest milestone in the government’s mission to make the UK the most accessible place in the world, following the publication of the Disability Action Plan earlier this year, the launch of the Lilac Review, which will investigate the barriers disabled entrepreneurs face, and the longer-term National Disability Strategy, intending to transform disabled people’s everyday lives for the better.

It also builds on the government’s employment and welfare reforms – including the new £2.5 billion Back to Work Plan, intended to help thousands more disabled people and people with health conditions to start and thrive in work.