To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of Employment and Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment assessment staff have received training on the needs of autistic people across the spectrum.
Answered on
29 June 2023
The department and its assessment providers (APs) are fully committed to supporting those with mental health conditions. All health professionals (HPs) receive comprehensive training in the functional assessment of disability and mental health conditions, including Autism. APs also provide their HPs with condition specific information on Autism, which has been externally quality assured by relevant experts.
In addition, mental health function champions support HPs by providing additional expertise on mental health, cognitive, developmental, and learning disabilities, and can be consulted at any time during the assessment process.