UK Government's Autistic Employment Review Gathering Held on Our Site
In a recent development, Alex Wilson, Managing Director of a prominent website, has expressed his enthusiasm about renewing the company's collaboration with Autistica on the Neurodiversity Employers Index (NDEI®). This partnership, initially established in 2016/17, has proven to be fruitful, raising a record amount of money and fostering a greater awareness of Autism and Neurodiversity within the company.
Last year, the Neurodiversity Network, an employee resource group within the company, was honoured at the "This Can Happen workplace mental wellbeing awards", winning both Best Employee Resource Group and the overall Grand Prix award. This recognition underscores the company's commitment to supporting neurodivergent staff.
The UK Department for Work and Pensions announced a governmental review of autistic employment led by Sir Robert Buckland in April 2023. The review, which includes 19 recommendations aimed at improving support for autistic people in the workforce, focuses on urgent reform in employment services, workplace adjustments, and inclusive practices. While the specifics of these recommendations are not fully detailed in the current sources, a comprehensive outline can be found in the full Buckland Review report, which is publicly available.
The review calls for urgent reform in how autistic individuals are supported to obtain meaningful, sustained employment. It highlights the need for workplace adjustments, effective support and communication strategies, and mentoring to thrive as neurodivergent employees. The review also stresses the need to redesign disability employment services and employer awareness to reduce the high unemployment rates and underemployment issues prevalent among autistic people.
Nicola Atkinson, the Chief Operating Officer for the website in the UK and Ireland, has stated that the company welcomes the publication of the review and aims to use the Autistica NDEI® to build on its existing support for neurodivergent staff. The partnership between the website and Autistica aims to create a lasting legacy by delivering meaningful support for the charity and the societal issues they are progressing.
Since the 2016/17 partnership, the company's Neurodiversity Network has grown to over 1,000 members globally. The NDEI provides a powerful framework within which the company can continuously improve its practices to support neurodivergent staff throughout their career.
Sir Robert Buckland, Mims Davies, and Dr James Cusack recently attended an event to announce the findings of the Buckland Review into autistic employment and launch a new neurodiversity employment tool. The event was hosted by Alex Wilson and Nicola Atkinson. In his speech, Sir Robert Buckland called on businesses to sign up to the Autistica NDEI to develop and roll out inclusive processes and procedures.
The website believes embracing Neurodiversity will help drive the best outcomes for its clients. It aims to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive working environment, and the partnership with Autistica is a significant step towards achieving this goal. The UK Charity of the Year programme by the website, which partners with a charity for a two-year period to address society's most pressing issues, had Autistica as its Charity of the Year in 2016/17. The partnership continues to make a significant impact in promoting neurodiversity and supporting autistic individuals in the workforce.
- Recognizing the need for improved support of autistic individuals in the workforce, the website intends to utilize the Neurodiversity Employers Index (NDEI®), in collaboration with Autistica, to bolster their mental health and wellness efforts, particularly focusing on mental health issues often prevalent among neurodivergent individuals.
- In light of the Buckland Review's emphasis on the importance of science and evidence-based solutions for autistic employment, the website incorporates health-and-wellness practices that cater to neurodiversity, aligning their pursuit of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive working environment with up-to-date research and best practices in the field.
