Published on 12, July, 2020
DWP are going to be targetting those with Autism and Aspergers, among other hidden disabilities, to undergo Psychotherapeutic interventions. It is very likely that those refusing to participate will have their benefits sanctioned, as they will be considered to be not taking active steps towards seeking employment.
"The aim of the provision is to provide in depth support to assist claimants focus their minds on the activities and behaviours required to obtain and sustain employment. The claimants, who are in receipt of either Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA) will receive a highly personalised, individual, realistic, learning and employability programme, which is structured, focused and tailored to each claimant’s specific needs. This will include tackling complex barriers, as well as worklessness, motivation, interaction, anxiety concerns, and concentration issues."
https://www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/Common/View%20Notice.aspx?NoticeId=1702143
I myself have Aspergers and a First Class Honours Degree in Psychology. Despite my difficulties and concerted effort in seeking work, I only managed to secure my first job aged 32. It always came down to the fact that I was unable to do as well as others in interviews and compete against those without my difficulties. Making employers aware of Aspergers in aplication forms never helped. I only successfully secured a job when an employer was willing to offer unpaid work experience and judge me based on my work performance, rather than interview performance - I had infact just failed to get through an interview at the same employer.
I know the problem is not with people with the types of difficulties described. The problem is employers who are unwilling to see beyond these differences. I welcome any efforts to help people into work. However, I am appalled that this approach blames people for difficulties they never chose to have. Efforts should be directed at employers themselves.
It would be nice to see an official line on this issue from NAS at some point, but I accept this can only be done once all is known. Will try research this issue more later and update this post if necessary.
I think the issue here is that autism is a spectrum. There are many who will not be helped by this initiative, because their needs are greater. This should be given a trial. The DWP will seek to get some people back into work, spending not too much and evaluate whether it is working. Those with less diability may be helped and feedback will help to improve what is on offer, or end it, if it fails to get people into work. One size fits all will never work for all, but if there is currently no help, then should we deny help to a few because many will not benefit. Everyone out there needs to learn from experience whathelps people on the spectrum get and keep employment. They need to start somewhere. Drugs are trialed on a few, but eventually made available if they work. Let them try, and learn. If lots of people attend this course and do not end up finding work at the end, then they will know it has failed to help. They don't appear, from what I have read here, to be saying that people will lose benefits if they do not get a job in the end, only if they don't attend training. We should keep an open mind and try these things. Only then do people in power learn about the problems and adjust what is offered and expand it to help those with greater disabilities. Very few things in this life are perfect from day one.