Received from: Aegis
Young people with neurodiversity challenges, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological conditions, face significant barriers to gaining work experience and employment opportunities. These barriers can hinder their ability to transition into adulthood, limiting their opportunities for a fulfilling and independent life.
It is crucial to address these challenges by creating an inclusive work environment that recognises and values the unique strengths and talents of neurodiverse individuals.
Providing meaningful work experience and employment opportunities is essential to helping these young people develop the skills and confidence necessary to thrive in the workplace.
We call on the TUC to actively encourage employers to create and promote opportunities specifically tailored for young people with neurodiversity challenges. This can be achieved through the following:
i. Awareness and training: encouraging employers to implement training programs for managers and employees to increase awareness and understanding of neurodiversity.
ii. Work experience programmes: advocating for the establishment of work experience and internship programs focused on the needs of neurodiverse young people, offering them practical experience and skill development.
iii. Mentorship and support: promoting the introduction of mentorship schemes where neurodiverse young people can receive guidance and support from experienced colleagues.
iv. Inclusive recruitment practices: encouraging employers to adopt inclusive recruitment practices that consider the unique challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals, ensuring fair and equal opportunities for all.
By implementing these measures, we can help neurodiverse young people gain valuable work experience and enhance their future employment prospects, so they can lead fulfilling lives as adults.
Aegis
AMENDMENT
Replace all instances of “young people with neurodiversity challenges” to “neurodivergent young people”. In the first paragraph, replace “such as” with “with, for example,” and replace “neurological” with “neurodevelopmental”.
In the second paragraph and bullet point iv., replace “neurodiverse individuals” with “neurodivergent individuals”. In bullet points i. and ii., replace “programs” with “programmes”
In bullet points ii. and iii., and the final paragraph, the phrase “neurodiverse young people” should be changed to “neurodivergent young people”
Association of Educational Psychologists