Embracing neurodiversity in the workplace
We support neurodiversity
We recognise neurodiversity as the way in which everyone’s brains naturally work differently from one another. Just as you may be born right-handed or have green eyes, how your brain works and where you sit on the cognitive spectrum will be unique to you.
Most people are neurotypical or ‘not neurodivergent’, which means they process information differently to a neurotypical person. However, around 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent, meaning that they think, process, and interpret information in ways that differ from most other people.
Traditional working practices are often designed with a neurotypical society in mind, which can make it difficult for neurodivergent employees to thrive at work. Some examples of neurodiversity include;
- Autism
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia
- Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
Dyslexia screening
Do you feel you have traits of dyslexia and would like to take a short test to highlight a potential diagnosis? We've created a short check which you can do that includes a number of questions that ask you regarding how comfortable you are with reading and writing, as well as other areas. Please note that the quiz is just to see if you have any traits of dyslexia - it does not officially diagnose dyslexia.
If you feel comfortable to take the short quiz, please complete this document and return to lead.employer@sthk.nhs.uk.
Once you have sent it, a member of the HR Team will review this document with your results and be in touch with the next steps for diagnosis and support you throughout the process.
East of England GP colleagues-in-training should contact NHS England East of England school at england.primarycare.eoe@nhs.net for a dyslexia screening assessment instead of completing the quiz.
If you would like to access further support and information, you can visit the British Dyslexia Association, the NHS' website on Dyslexia and the Dyslexia Association. They contain specific information and guidance tailored for dyslexia.
Latest Update: Neurodiversity Toolkit
We recently created a Neurodiversity Toolkit for supporting colleagues-in-training with neurodiversity conditions.
A guide on supporting neurodiversity in the workplace
We have created a guidance on How to Support Neurodiversity in the Workplace which may assist with your training programme in light of a neurodiversity diagnosis.
A guide on Reasonable Adjustments Passports
We have also created guidance on Reasonable Adjustments Passports which may also be helpful for you.
How we can support you?
Please take a look at the dropdown options for the ways in which Lead Employer can support you in your daily working life;
- Access to Work
Disclosing a health condition to an employer can be a very difficult decision to make at times. People may be worried about prejudice from their employer or work colleagues, they may be concerned that they will be treated differently to others. People may be worried about a lack of understanding around their health condition in addition to the fear of being labelled.
Disclosing a health condition will allow Lead Employer and NHS England to identify the support required, and ensure that reasonable adjustments are in place to support an individual throughout their training.
Once the HR Team is aware of your request to have a reasonable adjustment, they will be in contact with you to discuss the next steps to support you.
Access to Work is an employment support programme which helps you to overcome barriers in work due to a disability or mental health condition. They can support you if:
- You have a neurodiverse condition
- You have a hearing or sight impairment
- You have an Musculoskeletal (MSK) condition or similar
- You are experiencing long covid
- You require support with your mental health
Requests may include:
- Adaptive equipment such as ergonomic keyboards or chairs
- Assistive software for speech to text and text to speech or zoom text software
- Training for your items and software
- Workplace coaching or strategy sessions
In addition, please take a look at our wellbeing resources booklet for further information on our "Access To Work" support.
- Reasonable adjustments
A reasonable adjustment is a particular adjustment to your daily working life that will enable you to best fulfil the requirements of your training contract.
Potential reasonable adjustments that could be implemented depending on your needs:
- Adjustments to working hours
- Modification to duties
- Time to attend appointments
- Phased return to work if you are returning from time out of training
- Modified or specialist equipment (through Access to work process)
- Support when you rotate host organisations as part of your specialty training
- Further resources
Contact Us
For further information, please contact our Helpdesk Team (Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm) on 0151 478 7777 or via livechat.
Alternatively, you can contact our Case Management Team on absencesupport.leademployer@sthk.nhs.uk
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