Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the contribution of 27 January 2009, Official Report, column 188, on the Welfare Reform Bill to the hon. Member for Erewash (Liz Blackman), if he will place in the Library a copy of the procedures to be followed by job advisers in helping people with autistic spectrum disorder into work.
Answer
The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.Letter from Mel Groves:"The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question requesting that a copy of the procedures to be followed by job advisers in helping people with autistic spectrum disorder into work, be placed in the Library. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.""There is no single set of procedures to be followed by advisers which are solely focused on helping people with autistic spectrum disorder into work. Jobcentre Plus policy is to develop our people in the skills required to manage a range of behaviours demonstrated by customers, covering a variety of health conditions. This approach ensures that they are equipped to deal with a diverse set of circumstances whilst treating customers as individuals. Skilled ""employment advisers look at the interaction between the person, the job and an individual's ability. Advisers ensure that job goals relate to the person's abilities and that relevant solutions are identified in order to overcome any barriers a customer might face in a particular job.""The learning programme for Jobcentre Plus advisers focuses on raising awareness of the customer's personal circumstances and the impact on their ability to move into a sustainable job. Jobcentre Plus also recognises that disabilities and health conditions can affect individuals in different ways. Guidance for advisers includes background information on a number of conditions, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, the implications for interviews and how to use questioning techniques in order to support customers. Disability Employment Advisers, who focus on customers needing more extensive support, receive further levels of skills training appropriate to their customers, including skills practice in interviewing an autistic person to ensure key learning points are communicated in an effective way.""I have placed in the Library copies of the autism guide notes for advisers and those for Disability Employment Advisers.""The Department for Work and Pensions is a Gold member of the Employers Forum on Disability and will be fully engaged with a forthcoming autism telephone tutorial being held by the Forum on 2 April 2009. Jobcentre Plus staff will be encouraged to access this event and it will be publicised on the Jobcentre Plus intranet site, so that full advantage of this learning opportunity is taken. This will help develop an even greater understanding of autism and the issues related to employment. I will also ensure that any developments which come from the question and answer sessions are made available to advisers."