Employment Support

The National Austistic Society has identified that only 6% of adults with an Autistic Spectrum Condition are currently in full time employment, whilst only 12% of people with a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism or Asperger syndrome are in full time employment.

There are a number of reasons for this. Visiting a job centre and talking to the advisers in unfamiliar surroundings can cause extreme anxiety for many of this client group. Those who do have the confidence to take this first step are often met by advisers who do not have sufficient understanding or experience of Autistic Spectrum Conditions to enable them to provide the appropriate advice and support to this group. This client group are also held back by their impaired social skills which affects their communication and interpretation of language, thereby causing numerous problems when searching and applying for employment.

In response to this we are now delivering a Preparing for Work workshop. During this workshop we have invited employment agents to our premises in order to allow our members the opportunity to access information about employment in a familiar surroundings with support from Sacar staff. This also enables the employment agents to gain some experience of the needs of this client group. Since our staff have specific experience of working with this client group and a good understanding of how the condition effects the individual, we are able to provide the correct support to enable our members to explore the procedures involved in securing and maintaining employment in its many forms.

We also provide information and advice to employers throughout West Yorkshire about Autistic Spectrum Conditions and how they can access a large pool of potential employees who have proved to be punctual and consistent workers.

By addressing the various barriers to employment for individuals with an ASC, we will be able to support those members who would like work in a variety of forms, into vocational placements and eventually sustained employment. Once this client group are given the opportunity and support to find employment, they can begin to lead more independent lives, both socially and economically.