Building a Neurodiverse Career at DWP: Evie's Story

Created by VERCIDA for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

When Evie talks about her first year at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), one phrase keeps surfacing: making a difference. It's not a line she's been handed to recite. It's the genuine motivation that drew her straight from university into the civil service, and the feeling that's shaped every day since.

Evie is a Continuous Improvement, Change and Employee Life Cycle Officer in DWP’s People and Capability team. In her role, she supports resourcing projects. Her days are varied and fast paced and, in her words, “keep me on my toes.”

"I like being busy," she says. "There's always something else to be working on, which I really enjoy."

A Route in That Opened Doors

Evie joined DWP just under a year ago through a Diversity Internship Programme designed for neurodiverse candidates, referred by charity Ambitious About Autism. With a sociology degree behind her and an autism diagnosis she'd received during her second year at university, the programme offered a meaningful route into a career she'd long been curious about.

"The government has always been a pathway I've wanted to go into. I feel like you can make a real difference. And I've had a lot of personal stories from friends and family who've had really positive experiences with DWP, it's a department that makes an impactful influence on people's lives."

While the programme was designed to support neurodiverse candidates, Evie is clear that it was still a rigorous, competitive process, one that pushed her to put a lot thought into her application. DWP ran regular Zoom sessions to make sure applicants understood what was being asked of them, and the charity offered additional support alongside.

Her advice for anyone preparing a CV and personal statement?

"Be open and honest. Add in personal motivation, if you can really put your heart and soul into it and present yourself as a positive candidate, you're going to get the most out of it."

Starting Well: The Power of a Thoughtful Welcome

What struck Evie most about joining DWP was how intentional the onboarding felt. Before her first day, her line manager invited her to visit the office, a simple but powerful gesture that let her find the kitchen, see her desk, and ask the practical questions that matter when you’re about to start somewhere new, from dress code to where she’d be sitting. For Evie, that early clarity helped reduce uncertainty and set her up to do her best work from day one.

"It made me really comfortable to join. And then I was more excited, I think that's always a good place to be."

Since her diagnoses of autism and, more recently, ADHD, Evie has made use of DWP's Workplace Adjustment Passport, a formal framework that opens ongoing conversations about how each person works best. There's also a separate passport for carers, and a dedicated intranet resource that makes it easy to understand what's available.

Some of the adjustments that have made a real difference for Evie include:

• Flexibility on in-office days, particularly during overwhelming weeks or when travel to a different hub is required
• A priority desk in a quieter area with plenty of natural light
• Weekly check-ins with her manager, giving her consistent, dedicated space to talk things through

Across three line managers in her first year, Evie says the conversation has stayed open. "They've always been really helpful, saying, 'let's review it, if there's anything else you think you might need, let's see what we can do.'"

A Moment That Built Confidence

One moment stands out as a highlight of Evie's year so far: presenting a SharePoint project she'd built to a team call of around 200 people.

"Public speaking is something I really think about a lot before I do it. I was apprehensive, big numbers, really scary."

Her manager made clear there was no pressure but offered to co-present and ran through the material with Evie a week in advance. She took it on and nailed it.

"I've never felt pressured into doing things I might find difficult, but I've always had the courage from my team and my manager to really put myself out there. I've gained a lot of confidence."

A Word on the Civil Service

Evie describes what her first year in the civil service has been like, from the support around her to the opportunities to learn and develop.

"It's only been a really supportive work environment. There are loads of networks you can join. And I personally feel like I make a difference, whether that's in my team or in the hub. If you're looking for a place that's going to stretch your skills, give you training opportunities, and make you feel supported while doing it, I'd recommend it."

To Anyone Thinking About Applying

Evie’s story is a reminder that a great career start isn’t just about landing the role; it’s about landing somewhere you can be yourself and have open conversations about support and workplace adjustments.

For neurodiverse candidates wondering whether the civil service might be right for them, her experience offers a compelling answer: yes and bring your whole self with you.