External resources
The links on this page are here to supplement our own content. We have tried only to provide links here to websites which we believe have accurate and reliable content, but we cannot take responsibility for anything on an external website, and we do not guarantee to endorse all views and information that they may offer.
We cannot always guarantee that information you find on an external website is accurate or relevant to you – you will have to use your own judgement on what is appropriate to your own situation
All the links here can also be found with the main content pages of this website, but we have grouped them all together here to make them easier to find.
Please contact us if you have ideas or suggestions about what should appear in this area of our website.
The organisations in this list may be able to offer you free legal advice or support with issues about employment.
Ensure that you check first with any organisation you contact to make sure that they are able to provide support which is appropriate to you.
LawWorks Clinic Finder tool – This helpful tool allows you to enter your postcode and the kind of issue you need help with and receive information relating to suitable free legal clinics in your area
Disability Law Service – The DLS provides free legal advice on community care, employment, housing and welfare benefits to disabled people and their carers to ensure that they have access to their rights and justice
The Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) – ACAS provide free advice to employers and employees on employment related disputes
Toynbee Free Legal Advice Centre – provides free legal assistance on a range of issues within UK law
Equality Advisory Support Service – This Helpline advises and assists individuals on issues relating to equality and human rights, across England, Scotland and Wales
Citizens Advice – Citizens Advice offer impartial and independent advice online, by phone or in person.
It is important to look after yourself and stay healthy whether or not you are in work. This section links to advice on becoming and staying well. If you are unwell you should consider whether you should seek advice from your doctor or NHS 111. If you are in urgent need of help, call the emergency services on 999. You will find other sources of help in this section.
It is important to look after yourself and stay healthy whether or not you are in work.
When reading advice online, in this website and in others, you must judge for yourself what is useful and appropriate for you
If you are unwell you should consider whether you should seek advice from your doctor or NHS 111
If you have any urgent concern please see the following list, where help and support can be accessed from the following organisations:
- Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 for free confidential support
- Samaritans are available for online chat or phone 116 123
- NHS Urgent Mental Health Helpline https://www.nhs.uk/service-
search/mental-health/find-an- urgent-mental-health-helpline - The emergency services on 999.
Other external services:
Refer yourself for NHS Talking Therapy – Talking therapies can be very helpful if you are experiencing stress, low mood, depression or anxiety.
NHS Mental Health services – Mental health services are free on the NHS. Your mental health is important and you should get help if you need it. Find out about the different ways to get help with your mental health, the process, and your rights.
Samaritans – The Samaritans are available to talk to at any time. You can call them on free on 116 123, or email them at [email protected]
Mind – The charity Mind provides advice and support, including a helpline for anyone with a mental health problem
Access to Work for mental health services by applying for support from Able Futures or Maximus. Funded by the DWP, it is available at no charge to any employees with depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health issues affecting their work. They will contact Access to Work on your behalf. You will not need to tell your employer.
NHS – The NHS provides advice on health and wellbeing and improving mental health. You can find and register with a doctor (GP) and if you don’t already have one.
NHS on Autism – The NHS guide on autism, including on getting a diagnosis and practical information.
The Mix counselling service – The Mix Counselling service is suitable for you if you are looking for short-term help with your mental health and emotional wellbeing. For young people up to the age of 25.
Stop, Breathe, Think – a mental health service for young people up to age 21.
This document (Mental Health referrals) lists organisations which support mental health. This list is NOT exhaustive. Individuals or organisations must decide for themselves what services are appropriate for them.
This section contains a link to a benefits calculator to check if you qualify for financial support as well as links to information about specific benefits. There are organisations which can help with advice on benefits and looking for work.
- The GOV.UK website contains details about government services and information:
- You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work
- Income Support can help you cover your costs if you’re on a low income
- Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly – or twice a month for some people in Scotland. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work
- You can apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) to help you when you look for work
- Look for vacancies on the DWP’s Find-a-job service
- You may be able to get help from Access to Work to make it easier for you to do your job or for support in interviews
- Citizens Advice provides free, confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person. You can ask them about benefits, housing, issues at work and many other things
- JobcentrePlus can assist with benefits claims and finding a job
- The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work. Some direct services only apply to people living in England, but the Skills Assessment and Job Profile search can be done by anyone
- Portsmouth University has free assessment tools for autistic people and employers with no or mild learning disabilities. There are different profiles to help identify your most suitable career and appropriate workplace adaptations. They can also be used by an employer to understand what adjustments are needed. Contact them direct to arrange an assessment.
- IMAGE, developed by 5 European universities, aims to improve the employability of higher education graduates on the autism spectrum by developing self-advocacy and employability skills in students, promoting high-quality support practice in higher education professionals, and developing employer awareness and recruitment practices.
Jobs are advertised in many different places. We list a selection of places to look in our section on applying for work.
There are also many places to look online, a few are listed here:
- You can search for types of jobs or sectors by area on the DWP’s Find-a-job service
- JobcentrePlus can assist with benefits claims and finding a job
- Advice and support as well as job opportunities can be found at the government’s job help site
- The National Careers Service provides careers information, advice and guidance.
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination in the workplace. The section contains guidance on the law and where jobseekers, employees and employers can seek advice.
Guidance on the Equality Act can be found on the Government website and covers responsibilities laid down in employment law
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) promotes equality and human rights ideals and laws across England, Scotland and Wales:
- You can contact them for expert information, advice and support on discrimination and human rights issues
- The EHRC produces guidance for employers
- EHRC information for employees on workplace adjustments
- You can download the EHRC Employment Statutory Code of Practice for detailed guidance about what the Equality Act means
Acas (The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) – gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice. They cannot provide legal advice, but they have a helpline if you need to talk through options about a workplace problem
LawWorks is a charity working in England and Wales to connect volunteer lawyers with people in need of legal advice
Citizens Advice has information on where to go if you have a problem at work, or are making a claim to an employment tribunal
This section provides links to further information about autism.
Further information about autism:
- Information Autism has up to date and scientifically reliable information about autism
- The NHS has information about autism and its diagnosis
- Let the fingers do the talking – a video featuring non-speaking autistic adults
- The Open University run a free course – Understanding Autism. You can start it at any time and it takes approximately 24 hours to complete.
Employability training:
- PRO Autism have developed a free online course for autistic people to help them develop employability skills. You have to sign up to gain access, but there is no charge. Although primarily aimed at students and graduates, it’s suitable for any jobseeker. It takes 2-4 hours to complete independently.
Third party reports and publications on autism, disability and the law in relation to employment.
- The Buckland Review of Autism Employment: Review and Recommendations – Published February 2024
“At the moment only 3 in 10 autistic people of working age are in employment. This means that 7 in 10 of them are unable to access the independence and fulfilment that employment can bring. It also means that employers, and the wider economy, are missing out on the skills and energy that autistic people could be contributing, to the detriment of us all. …. I believe this report provides a way forward that does not require vast sums of public money but that can produce a radical improvement of autistic employment rates and a radical transformation of autistic people’s lives. I call on everyone to now make this happen.” Sir Robert Buckland KC MP
“…disabled people with severe or specific learning difficulties, or autism … had the lowest employment rates”
Outcomes for disabled people across areas of life: education, employment, social participation, housing, well-being, loneliness and crime. Analysis by disability status and by age, sex, impairment type and severity, country and region based on survey data.
- HM Government: July 2021 – The national disability strategy
“Underlying the approaches of devolved administrations is the Social Model of Disability. The social model helps us recognise barriers that make life harder for disabled people. Removing these barriers creates equality and offers disabled people more independence, choice and control.”
This strategy reflects the experiences of disabled people across the UK. It recognises and celebrates the diversity of approaches being pursued and highlights good practice and initiatives of note in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- HM Government: July 2021 – The national strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026
“By 2026, we want data to show that we have made progress on closing the employment gap for autistic people, drawing on the Labour Force Survey.”
By 2026 … We want more autistic people who can and want to work to do so, and to ensure that those who have found a job are less likely to fall out of work. We also want to show that employers have become more confident in hiring and supporting autistic people, and that autistic people’s experience of being in work has improved.
“The NHS in its Long-Term Plan has embedded employment as a health outcome for individuals with severe mental health conditions, learning disabilities or autism.”
2021 will mark 26 years since the Disability Discrimination Act and 11 years since the Equality Act passed into law. Despite this legislative change, progress towards greater equality between disabled and non-disabled people has been erratic and, in some areas, non-existent.
