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<p>I am not able to provide a definitive number of Work Coaches who have received
training in dealing with people with autism. This is because our learning is delivered
through a wide range of methods, including structured classroom based modules, up-skilling
from colleagues and some delivered by third party organisations.</p><p> </p><p>All
our Work Coaches undertake a learning routeway which includes information to help
them deliver to customers with a wide range of additional needs including those with
disabilities and hidden conditions such as autism.</p><p> </p><p>We have also recently
changed the role of Disability Employment Advisers to allow them to focus on sharing
their expertise with all Work Coaches and Jobcentre staff. As part of this we have
recruited new Disability Employment Advisers, some of whom will still be undertaking
their learning journey.</p><p> </p><p>On 27 March, to coincide with World Autism Awareness
Week, we also launched a new Disability Confident Autism and Neuro-diversity Toolkit
which we developed in partnership with Autism Alliance UK and the Autism Task Group.
Communications about this went out to all DWP staff, not just those in customer-facing
roles, to ensure our entire workforce is able to understand the needs of customers
with autism and other hidden impairments.</p>
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