At Autism West Midlands, we don’t just help people who are looking for a job. We also offer support and advice to people who are already in employment or have recently found a job. If you have Autism or Asperger Syndrome and are currently employed or about to start a new job, one of our Employment Supporters can provide you and your 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 providing support in overcoming obstacles in the workplace resulting from your Autism or Asperger Syndrome.

Although we cannot do it for you, we can advise you with your application to Access to Work. Once your application has been agreed and you have received your funding, we can start to offer our support.

How will we help?

As Employment Supporters, we promise to:

• Visit you regularly in your workplace,
• Help your 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,
• Offer ways to view situations differently.

Why choose us?

Across the West Midlands, we are the only autism specific provider of support through the Access to Work programme. We 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, we embrace special interests, adapt to needs and support the individual goals of our service users. Over 75% of attendees on our employment programmes have a positive outcome and we aim to maintain this standard to create a positive working environment for people with Asperger Syndrome in employment or starting a new job.

About Access to Work

Access to Work is a service that is funded by the government and provided by the Department for Work and Pensions. The programme offers help to those whose work performance could be affected by health issues or disabilities.

How to apply:

Contact Aspire at Autism West Midlands

By email: aspire@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

By phone: 01214507582

We will talk you through the process and help you to get started.