DWP Prioritises Disabled People: Thousands Complete Autism and Learning Disability Training

Training tackles harmful assumptions about disability and ensures staff make practical, meaningful adjustments for the people they serve

Over 4,000 DWP healthcare professionals have completed part of training designed to transform how the government supports autistic people and those with learning disabilities, as Autism Awareness Month draws to a close.

The training is named after Oliver McGowan, a young man with autism and a learning disability who died in 2016 after being given antipsychotic medication against his and his family’s wishes. It was established following a campaign by his family to ensure that staff working with autistic people and those with learning disabilities have the knowledge and skills to support them safely.

The accomplishment is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to putting disabled people at the heart of everything it does.

The training tackles “diagnostic overshadowing” - where symptoms are wrongly attributed to a person’s disability rather than investigated properly - ensuring people receive the right support at the right time.

It also gives staff practical tools to make meaningful reasonable adjustments for people with learning disabilities and autism as they navigate the benefits system. These include:

Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, said:

This milestone is part of the Government’s wider commitment to ensuring disabled people’s voices and lived experience shape policy. 

The Independent Disability Advisory Panel - ten experts with lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions - have been appointed to advise on the design and delivery of health and disability policy. 

Clinical Author at DWP: 

The training is one part of wider support the Department is investing into better support people with autism. 

Earlier this year, DWP funded Acas to deliver free neurodivergence masterclasses for small and medium-sized employers - with more than 1,800 employer representatives attended, building the knowledge and confidence to recruit and support neurodivergent staff effectively.

Alongside this, the Government also legislated to give benefit claimants the legal right to try work without the immediate risk of losing their benefits - a significant and practical change for neurodivergent people navigating the employment system. 

Separately, an expert academic panel has examined the specific barriers neurodivergent people face in the workplace, with its recommendations under active consideration.

Autism Awareness Month serves as an important moment to reflect on progress, and to reaffirm this Government’s determination to ensure autistic people and those with learning disabilities are supported, heard, and treated with the respect they deserve.

Jon Sparkes, OBE, Chief Executive of learning disability Mencap, said:

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