Seeking work – a guide for autistic people
In this guide you will find information and advice about looking for or applying for a job. We will also look at whether or not you should disclose your autism diagnosis to a potential employer and local support that we offer.
Looking for work
We understand that looking for work can be stressful, particularly if you’re autistic, which is why we offer a range of services and resources to help you look for work.
Free online Finding Employment module
For support and advice on career planning, job searching, the application process and reasonable adjustments, you can access our free online Finding Employment module.
Finding work handbook
You can also download our free Finding work handbook that aims to support you to find work. It can help you with job searching and work preparation, and contains nine practical modules:
- good working practice for professionals
- understanding autism
- choosing a suitable role
- applying for roles
- interviews
- finding work experience
- communication and social skills
- managing anxiety
- preparing for the workplace
Your local careers service
Your local careers services can offer information and advice on employment and career choices. It can provide information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work.
Wales
Careers Wales can offer you advice about career choices, jobs and learning.
Scotland
Skills Development Scotland offers support if you are looking for work or making choices about your future career.
Northern Ireland
Careers Service Northern Ireland, can help you find suitable employment or training. They can also advise potential employers about adapting the workplace or supporting autistic people at work. The Service also offers careers advice.
England
The National Careers Service can give you advice on choosing or changing your career, offers skills tests and provides personalised help from careers advisers.
How our UK wide employment support services can help you
If you want to prepare for work, or you are actively looking for a job, we can help you build on your social and practical skills, confidence and experience through a number of our support centres and our outreach team.
It’s our hope that you have an equal opportunity to learn new skills, the choice to live the life you choose and do the things you want to. With the right support and guidance, this will also mean contributing to the wider society through voluntary or paid work.
There are numerous ways we can help you. From partnerships with local colleges, job coaching, CV writing sessions, support while undertaking vocational qualifications or social enterprise opportunities – we will work with you to help you achieve your goals.
Find out more about how our UK wide employment support services can help you using the links below:
England
- East Anglia support centres
- Leicestershire – Blaby Road daytime hub
- Manchester – Anglo House and Victoria Road
- Northamptonshire employment support
- Somerset – Lynx resource centre
Wales
Scotland
Our hospitality work experience programme
Our HelmsBriscoe (HBcares) hospitality employment programme offers autistic people the opportunity to gain work experience opportunities within a hotel.
The programme comprises of:
- An eight-week work experience placement (comprising of two days or 16 hours per week)
- Free in-work support from one of our Job Coaches for you and your work experience organisation
If you would be interested in taking part in our programme, please contact us.
Should I disclose my autism diagnosis to a potential employer?
It’s often hard to understand the benefits and drawbacks of disclosing your autism diagnosis when applying for work. You may be thinking about whether your potential employer and colleagues will understand and react to your disclosure in a positive way.
The benefits of disclosing:
- employers are legally obligated to support you and make reasonable adjustments
- there may be better understanding from your new colleagues and manager
- you won’t have to try and hide that you are autistic
The risks of disclosing:
- you may be met with a lack of understanding and adjustments
- you may be worried about prejudice from your potential employer
- you may be worried that people will unfairly exclude you
How to decide what to do
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. If you do decide to tell your potential employer, you could try writing a list of benefits and drawbacks of doing so beforehand. You can ask a friend or adviser to help and list your strengths and potential difficulties. This may help you identify what adjustments could be made and discuss these with your potential employer. You should also decide what is helpful and not helpful for your potential managers and colleagues to know.
Links to further help and support
- Visit AS Mentoring
- Visit British Association of Supported Employment (BASE)
- Visit CareTrade (if you live in or around London)
- Visit The City Bridge Trust (if you live in or around London)
- Visit Employability
- Visit Evenbreak
- Visit JobCentre Plus
- Watch Top Five Autism Tips: employment - disclosing your diagnosis
