31 January 2026
Government response to Autism Report misses careers in schools
The Government has responded to the House of Lords report on implementing an autism strategy, but misses school careers.
The ‘Time to deliver: The Autism Act 2009 and the new autism strategy’ report from the House of Lords set out evidence from a range of sources with recommendations for the Government. The Government have published their response to the report, responding to most of the points raised, but notably not referencing careers support in schools.
The House of Lords report references careers support in a number of settings, including the ‘critical role’ that schools play including through career advice and arranging work experience. Outcomes First Group argued for ‘dedicated SEND support focused on employability, including accessible careers advice, structured exposure to different pathways, and opportunities to build workplace skill sin a supported way’.
University College London said there should be ‘a new autism-specific programme of careers guidance for mainstream and specialist schools’. AGCAS stated that universities need to offer autistic students ‘proactive rather than reactive’ careers support.
The report covers the Government’s aim to create a new Jobs and Careers Service and that new Work Coach training would be informed by things like the Autistica Index.
While the Government response covered the Jobs and Careers Service (saying it was ‘committed to delivering high-quality, personalised employment support’) there was no mention of improving or tailoring careers support in schools, referring only to more teacher training throughout their career.
Read the Government response to the House of Lords autism strategy report.
The ‘Time to deliver: The Autism Act 2009 and the new autism strategy’ report from the House of Lords set out evidence from a range of sources with recommendations for the Government. The Government have published their response to the report, responding to most of the points raised, but notably not referencing careers support in schools.
The House of Lords report references careers support in a number of settings, including the ‘critical role’ that schools play including through career advice and arranging work experience. Outcomes First Group argued for ‘dedicated SEND support focused on employability, including accessible careers advice, structured exposure to different pathways, and opportunities to build workplace skill sin a supported way’.
University College London said there should be ‘a new autism-specific programme of careers guidance for mainstream and specialist schools’. AGCAS stated that universities need to offer autistic students ‘proactive rather than reactive’ careers support.
The report covers the Government’s aim to create a new Jobs and Careers Service and that new Work Coach training would be informed by things like the Autistica Index.
While the Government response covered the Jobs and Careers Service (saying it was ‘committed to delivering high-quality, personalised employment support’) there was no mention of improving or tailoring careers support in schools, referring only to more teacher training throughout their career.
Read the Government response to the House of Lords autism strategy report.
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