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Neurodivergent colleagues and those who are seeking to support neurodivergent colleagues are advised to check our Staff Networks page on StaffZone.
Here, you’ll find a mass of targeted resources and support, inclusive of support around ADHD, autism, dyslexia, fibromyalgia, tourette syndrome and more. Also hosted here is training, guidance for managers, toolkits of support and more.
One of the most effective ways a manager can support you is often through the implementation of reasonable adjustments. Below, you’ll see a block which covers health passports and stress risk assessments – two ways of driving thought and understanding around what might help you keep well at work.
However, it can sometimes be difficult to turn challenges into solutions. The Social Partnership Forum lists a range of suggested adjustments across working environment, equipment, communication styles, presenting information, direction setting, time management, meetings and more, helping provide practical ideas that could help you.
Making reasonable adjustments is one of the most effective ways to support our neurodivergent colleagues. To do this effectively, it is important that we first understand our neurodivergent colleagues well – and where adjustments may be most useful.
To do this, neurodivergent colleagues may wish to complete a Health Passport. By doing this, colleagues can give their line manager a better idea of how being neurodivergent impacts them – and how line managers may be able to help you in carrying out your role effectively.
Furthermore, proactive use of Stress Risk Assessments can be a useful way to better understand the needs of colleagues and prompt consideration around what and where reasonable adjustments could be made to help colleagues be at their best at work. To learn more about stress risk assessments and download the template, please visit the Occupational Health and Wellbeing area on StaffZone.
Led by the Department for Work & Pensions, Maximus runs a programme of support which focuses on improving general wellbeing at work and providing support over a longer-term period.
Maximus’ Access to Work Mental Health Support Service is available at no cost, is quick and easy to access. To be eligible to access the service, you need only be in employment and have a mental health concern (diagnosed or undiagnosed) which is making your job difficult or has resulted in workplace absence.
Support from Maximus is designed to longer-term (9 months), and aims to improve your general wellbeing at work through methods such as the creation of personalised wellbeing support plans and ideas for workplace adjustments.
Colleagues can self-refer for support from Maximus or have someone refer on their behalf (with permission). To do so, simply visit the Maximus website.
Our guide for supporting staff with ADHD at work aims to highlight some of the most practical, effective and common reasonable adjustments that are supportive to those with the condition.
Featuring examples of changes that could be made across areas such as feedback, flexibility, communication, the working environment, technology and more, the document is to be used as a practical guide for managers and colleagues to consider which reasonable adjustments which could be made to support colleagues in fulfilling their potential at work.
Those who have, or who care for someone who has or is suspected as having a neurodivergent condition can be supported by Citizens Advice Gateshead‘s Living with Neurodiversity programme.
The service offered by Citizens Advice is available to all who live, work or study in Gateshead and covers support & advice across benefits claims and appeals, signposting and referrals, travel applications, education, health, community care, housing issues, debt issues and more.
Amongst the conditions that the organisation can help provide guidance and support for include dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD, autism, tics and tourette’s syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, learning disabilities and epilespsy & seizure disorders.
For more about this offer, visit Citizens Advice Gateshead’s dedicated Living with Neurodiversity webpage, or get in touch on 0191 490 4384 (ext 631) or via email on [email protected].
Over on the NHS Employers website is a page all about embracing neurodiversity in the workplace – including a list of top tips for supporting neurodivergent staff in their roles.
Also hosted on the page is signposting to a range of resources including information on how to better understand and support staff with hidden disabilities; guidance on building a disability inclusive workplace and much more.
The North East Autism Society provides a range of services for adults which includes personal development opportunities, family support and networking and even short breaks. The organisation even has a news section which features items including free autism-friendly events throughout the region.
The Toby Henderson Trust is a charity that also provides support those with autism, which also includes services such as psychotherapeutic counselling, and even have a hub that can be visited for support, networking or just a listening ear in South Tyneside.
More focused on social wellbeing, Inspired Support could be an option if you’re looking for more tailored approaches to meeting new people and learning new skills. They offer a range of different programmes across Newcastle & Gateshead, which includes things like music (eg songwriting, DJing, recording music), digital (eg photography, marketing, graphic design), physical wellbeing (cooking, sport, nutrition, fitness) and so on.
Our partners at Citizens Advice Gateshead can help our colleagues regardless of location – particularly in relation to any financial concerns and matters.
Our partnership with the organisation guarantees a response within one working day, and in cases of those with long-term conditions in particular, Citizens Advice advisors have been really helpful in helping colleagues to access additional income that they either may not have been aware of their entitlement to, or for which they have struggled to have applications approved for.
Even an informal conversation might end up being helpful to you, so it’s very much a case of it can’t do any harm. To get in touch with an advisor, just call 0191 490 4231 (leaving a voicemail with your contact details if your call isn’t answered) or email [email protected].
