Employment: Neurodiversity

In England, the National Careers Service currently supports adults with SEND and disabilities as a priority group, including many neurodivergent people. They can access careers information and advice through the website, webchat and telephone line, as well as accessing in-depth advice and guidance from professionally qualified careers advisers through the community-based offer.

As part of the new Jobs and Careers service from 1^st October, support will be more inclusive and tailored to individual needs to help people find, progress and stay in work. This includes our recently launched digital tools, known as the Work Hub, designed to help everyone access online support, including an online AI work assistant, CV builder and a new job search tool. We are also upskilling our colleagues to deliver high-quality, personalised employment support through our Get Britain Working Coaching Academy. Our qualified careers advisers will focus on providing in-depth advice and guidance to customers who face greater barriers to working or learning, regardless of whether they are claiming benefits. This includes neurodivergent people.

In terms of Jobcentre Plus support, there are around 1,000 (full time equivalent) Pathways to Work Advisers in place in Jobcentres across England, Scotland and Wales, providing personalised one-to-one support to disabled customers and those with health conditions.

To ensure customers with complex barriers receive the right support from Jobcentres, Disability Employment Advisers help work coaches and Pathways to Work Advisers tailor their support to help customers with long-term health conditions and disabilities move closer or into the labour market.

Jobcentre Plus Recruitment Consultants can signpost to specialist programmes like Connect to Work, which provides intensive support to people with complex barriers to employment, including people who are neurodivergent.