DWP recognises that some disabled candidates, including people with learning disabilities and autistic people, may benefit from reasonable adjustments during recruitment and as such promotes practices that support fair and accessible recruitment, including the provision of interview questions in advance, the use of clear language and flexibility in assessment methods where appropriate. DWP's Learning Disabilities Project is also working with employers and specialist organisations to identify barriers to recruitment and develop practical guidance that supports more inclusive employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

DWP works with a range of internal and external experts when developing learning and support relating to disabled customers, including autistic people.

Working in partnership with Coventry University, Neurobox and DWP psychologists, the Department has developed a new Supporting Customer Needs learning offer for customer-facing colleagues. This includes dedicated learning on neurodivergence, including autism, and has been informed by expert insight and engagement with stakeholders from across the Department.

Additionally, learning for all Jobcentre staff includes comprehensive mandatory learning enabling them to support customers with a broad range of health, disability and additional or complex needs. This equips staff to determine appropriate actions, avoid making assumptions, and explain what reasonable adjustments, support and signposting options DWP can offer when supporting customers into work.

The 2026/27 NHS Payment Scheme was published on 26 March 2026 and came into effect from 1 April 2026. The scheme governs transactions between providers and commissioners of secondary healthcare. The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism payment guidance has also been updated and sets out national expectations for ADHD and autism services. This guidance is primarily intended for finance, costing, and data teams working in ADHD and autism assessment services, and integrated care boards (ICBs) with commissioning responsibilities for these services. The purpose is to support commissioners and providers to build consistent, transparent, and equitable ADHD and autism diagnostic pathways, with clear data requirements and a shared understanding of what good looks like.

Guide prices for ADHD and autism assessments were published as part of the 2026/27 NHS Payment Scheme. NHS England is engaging on the use of these prices and how they could be developed further, including whether to differentiate between straightforward and complex cases. The current prices already include a separate price for patients receiving a combined assessment for ADHD and autism which is often provided to more complex patients.

NHS England is continuing work on pricing arrangements for autism and ADHD assessment services through the NHS Payment Scheme. This aims to support a more equitable and consistent approach to commissioning and service delivery.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

Attainment data for A level and applied general qualifications by student characteristics, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, is published in the A level and other 16 to 18 results statistical release, which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/a-level-and-other-16-to-18-results/2024-25/explore.

Similar data for T levels is not currently published due to small cohort sizes during the programme’s rollout. However, the data will be included in the A level and other 16 to 18 results statistical release from the 2025/26 academic year, also available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/a-level-and-other-16-to-18-results/2024-25/explore.

Through 2026/27, the government is providing up to £9 million to test the supported internship model in a number of local authorities with young people who have learning difficulties and disabilities but do not have an EHC plan. These programmes combine education with substantial workplace placements and specialist job-coach support, helping young people gain practical experience, build confidence and move into paid employment.

The government is also ensuring that colleges better connect learning to local employment opportunities through new Local Skills Improvement Plans. These plans bring together employers, colleges, local authorities and other partners to identify local skills shortages and shape courses around the sectors and roles that are in demand in each area. This helps students develop skills that lead to local jobs.

By strengthening employer engagement and aligning courses with local labour market demand, the government aims to help young people with special education needs access careers in sectors where they can thrive using their skills and talents.

The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) code of practice emphasises the importance of supporting young people with SEND to make a successful transition into further education (FE). Planning should begin early and involve the young person, their family, schools, colleges and local authorities. The focus is on helping learners access and progress within FE by identifying their aspirations and ensuring appropriate support and reasonable adjustments are in place.

The government's 2026 SEND reform proposals aim to further strengthen pathways into FE, working with schools, colleges and local authorities to design and implement a clear approach to supporting the transition from school to college. This will allow colleges to create bespoke or cohort-based transition packages for students with SEND that begin at least 12 months in advance. In doing so, they will ensure young people can choose a suitable study programme and are supported from day one in FE.

The information is not readily available and is not held centrally, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Information about PIP claimants’ primary conditions is published on the Stat Xplore website (https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/).

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for autism and ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

The Timms Review, the first review of the Personal Independence Payment benefit, is examining how it can better support disabled people to live independently and access the right support at the right level. The review is due to report in the autumn. Additionally, the Milburn Review on Young People and Work is examining how health conditions can affect participation in education, employment, and training, and the implications for welfare dependency. It published its interim report on 28 May, with the final report due to be published later this year. The Government will consider the findings from these reviews, alongside those of the Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

NHS England has published guidance to support consistent, high–quality autism assessments and the guidance includes information about the specialist clinical skills required to undertake different aspects of the assessment process. NHS England has also issued advice to local systems on ADHD service delivery.

The measures outlined above are intended to support accurate, timely, and consistent assessments across providers and the current ongoing reviews will help inform future Government decisions.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for autism and ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within autism and ADHD services.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The interim report was published in March, and the next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

It remains the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

In October 2025, NHS England issued advice to systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support. In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:

www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidance

This guidance intends to help providers of National Health Services improve autism assessment services and improve the experience for those referred to a service.

We are aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding autism and ADHD assessment-only services, including around consistency, quality, and regulation, and officials are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Department has not made an assessment of the number of inconclusive autism or ADHD assessments or of those resulting in misdiagnosis, nor of the potential impact of such outcomes on long-term health expenditure. However, NICE guidance sets out evidence-based requirements for assessment and diagnosis, including consideration of differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions. This is intended to support accurate and robust diagnostic decision-making.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for autism and ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within autism and ADHD services.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The interim report was published in March, and the next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

It remains the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

In October 2025, NHS England issued advice to systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support. In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:

www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidance

This guidance intends to help providers of National Health Services improve autism assessment services and improve the experience for those referred to a service.

We are aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding autism and ADHD assessment-only services, including around consistency, quality, and regulation, and officials are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Department has not made an assessment of the number of inconclusive autism or ADHD assessments or of those resulting in misdiagnosis, nor of the potential impact of such outcomes on long-term health expenditure. However, NICE guidance sets out evidence-based requirements for assessment and diagnosis, including consideration of differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions. This is intended to support accurate and robust diagnostic decision-making.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for autism and ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within autism and ADHD services.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The interim report was published in March, and the next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

It remains the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

In October 2025, NHS England issued advice to systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support. In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:

www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidance

This guidance intends to help providers of National Health Services improve autism assessment services and improve the experience for those referred to a service.

We are aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding autism and ADHD assessment-only services, including around consistency, quality, and regulation, and officials are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Department has not made an assessment of the number of inconclusive autism or ADHD assessments or of those resulting in misdiagnosis, nor of the potential impact of such outcomes on long-term health expenditure. However, NICE guidance sets out evidence-based requirements for assessment and diagnosis, including consideration of differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions. This is intended to support accurate and robust diagnostic decision-making.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for autism and ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within autism and ADHD services.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The interim report was published in March, and the next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

It remains the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

In October 2025, NHS England issued advice to systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support. In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:

www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidance

This guidance intends to help providers of National Health Services improve autism assessment services and improve the experience for those referred to a service.

We are aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding autism and ADHD assessment-only services, including around consistency, quality, and regulation, and officials are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Department has not made an assessment of the number of inconclusive autism or ADHD assessments or of those resulting in misdiagnosis, nor of the potential impact of such outcomes on long-term health expenditure. However, NICE guidance sets out evidence-based requirements for assessment and diagnosis, including consideration of differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions. This is intended to support accurate and robust diagnostic decision-making.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for autism and ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within autism and ADHD services.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The interim report was published in March, and the next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

It remains the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

In October 2025, NHS England issued advice to systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support. In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:

www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidance

This guidance intends to help providers of National Health Services improve autism assessment services and improve the experience for those referred to a service.

We are aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding autism and ADHD assessment-only services, including around consistency, quality, and regulation, and officials are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Department has not made an assessment of the number of inconclusive autism or ADHD assessments or of those resulting in misdiagnosis, nor of the potential impact of such outcomes on long-term health expenditure. However, NICE guidance sets out evidence-based requirements for assessment and diagnosis, including consideration of differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions. This is intended to support accurate and robust diagnostic decision-making.

The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to helping autistic and neurodivergent people to enter and remain in work.

DWP delivers the GB-wide (England, Scotland and Wales) Disability Confident scheme, encouraging employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work. It provides employers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace. Disability Confident reforms, announced in January 2026, will introduce clearer standards, improved verification mechanisms, and embed lived experience at the heart of the process. Test and learn activity has started, with a strengthened scheme launching later in the year and further enhancements to follow.

Practical workplace support is available through Access to Work, a demand-led, personalised discretionary grant delivered across Great Britain. It supports workplace adjustments that go beyond an employer’s responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010. The scheme is available to people with disabilities or health conditions, including neurodivergent conditions, where these affect their ability to work. Since September 2013, Access to Work has provided funding for the in-work support needs of young disabled people participating in a Department for Education Supported Internship or the Scottish and Welsh equivalent programs.

In England and Wales, our specialist Supported Employment programme, Connect to Work, is for anyone who is disabled, has a health condition or is experiencing non-health related barriers to work. Participants are given a dedicated specialist employment support adviser who works alongside them to understand their career goals and help them to address any specific barriers to employment. Connect to Work has a specialist pathway for neurodivergent and learning-disabled participants, using the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).

In 2025, DWP launched an independent advisory panel of academics with expertise and lived experiences of neurodiversity to advise us on boosting neurodiversity awareness and inclusion at work. The panel considered the reasons why neurodivergent people often have poor experiences in the workplace, and a low overall employment rate. Their findings and the Department’s response will be published in due course.

The College of Policing set the professional standards for police in England and Wales. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) have established a National Neurodiversity Working Group whose work includes supporting police forces to design and deliver a service to be proud of relating to neurodivergent victims, witnesses, suspects, and residents.

Through this working group the NPCC are seeking to pull together examples and knowledge of good practice, to help share thinking to help each autonomous force find solutions to their local challenges.

In December 2025, the Government launched an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. This independent review will inform a new approach that reduces waiting times, improves the quality of care, and promotes prevention and early intervention. The independent review’s final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.

The Government also announced on 15 May a new Mental Health Strategy for England, with the aim of transforming mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, and supports people, including people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autistic people, to participate in education and work. It will be informed by the findings and recommendations from the Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism.

In the meantime, the Government is continuing to expand Mental Health Support Teams so that every school and college can access mental health support. These teams provide early intervention and work with education staff, parents, and carers to identify needs sooner and support children and young people before difficulties escalate. We are also improving the capability of the workforce to respond to children and young people with more complex needs, including those experiencing trauma, distress, and neurodivergence, so that they can receive the right support at the right time.

We are also committed to transforming outcomes for children, young people, and their families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) through pivotal reforms. We want these reforms to support the treatment to prevention shift in our 10-Year Health Plan and its focus on early identification of needs, support, and intervention, enabling more children to access support and thrive in inclusive mainstream settings.

To support this ambition, over the next three years £1.6 billion will be invested to make the mainstream system more inclusive, building on the latest evidence and practice, alongside £1.8 billion being invested over three years for the new Experts at Hand offer, which will wrap education and health professionals around mainstream settings. By 2028, up to £15 million will have been invested to build the evidence base for, and then provide, National Inclusion Standards. These will set out, for the first time, what support that should be available in every mainstream setting. We will also refresh areas of need, update guidance on reasonable adjustments, and revise the SEND Code of Practice.