asked Her Majesty's Government:

What training staff in Jobcentre Plus offices have in dealing with people with autism. [HL5380]

Jobcentre Plus provides its personal employment advisers with general awareness training on autistic spectrum disorders to enable them to have a broad understanding of the condition. This knowledge helps the adviser to provide better help and support to the customer through recognition of how their disorder might affect their job search activities. Jobcentre Plus policy is to develop its people in the skills required to manage a range of behaviours demonstrated by customers, regardless of their health condition. This approach ensures that they are equipped to deal with a diverse set of circumstances while treating customers as individuals.