Type of service: Employment services

This service, provided by Autism West Midlands, offers support and advice to people with an autism spectrum disorder or Asperger Syndrome who are in employment or about to start a new job. They offer Employment Supporters who can provide the person and their colleagues with ongoing support in the workplace. This service is free and funded by Access to Work, a programme developed by the Department for Work and Pensions to provide support in overcoming obstacles in the workplace resulting from Autism or Asperger Syndrome. In Work Support can advise on how to complete an application for Access to Work funding and, once an application has been agreed and funding received, they can start to offer their support. Employment Supporters are able to; visit you regularly in your workplace, help you understand your Autism or Asperger Syndrome, help other people understand your Autism or Asperger Syndrome including your manager and colleagues, offer Autism training to large groups within your organisation, assess your workplace and advise on any reasonable adjustments to help you, provide practical solutions, help you build relationships with your colleagues and offer ways to view situations differently. Autism West Midlands are the only autism specific provider of support through the Access to Work programme across the West Midlands. They have over ten years experience of working with the Jobcentre and employers to help people with Asperger Syndrome achieve their work goals. Taking a person-centred approach, they embrace special interests, adapt to needs and support the individual goals of their service users. Over 75% of attendees on their employment programmes have a positive outcome and they aim to maintain this standard to create a positive working environment for people with an ASD or Asperger Syndrome in employment or starting a new job

Aimed at: Adolescent , Adult

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific