Organisations offering legal support The organisations in this list may be able to offer you free legal advice or support with issues about employment. Expand 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 their 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 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 Kenton Legal Clinic - are able to provide free, one-off legal advice on employment
Health and wellbeing 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. Expand If you are unwell you should consider whether you should seek advice from a doctor. The advice from the organisations listed below may be useful for you. When reading advice online, in this website and in others, you must judge for yourself what is useful and appropriate for you Mind - The charity Mind provides advice and support, including a helpline for anyone with a mental health problem Access to work mental health support service run by Remploy, is funded by the DWP and is available at no charge to any employees with depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health issues affecting their work. Samaritans - The Samaritans are available to talk to at any time 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.
Benefits and advice on looking for work 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. Expand 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 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.
Employment law and workplace rights 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. Expand 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
Reports and publications Third party reports and publications on autism, disability and the law in relation to employment. Expand 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. Centre for Social Justice: March 2021 - Now is the time - A report by the CSJ Disability Commission "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. Office for National Statistics: February 2021 - Outcomes for disabled people in the UK:2020 "...disabled people with autism were among those disabled people with the lowest employment rate" 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.