Support, Guidance and Useful Resources

Support, guidance and useful resources for neurodiversity in the workplace

This section details a range of further information, resources and good practice that employers can use to promote and support neurodiversity in the workplace.

• Resources

• Key Dates

• Further information

Resources

Neurodiversity in the Workplace

• Access to Work

Access to Work can help people with a physical or mental health condition or impairment to get or stay in work. Support provided depends on need and considers the possibility of applying for support grants, for example for specialist equipment or assistive software, where relevant.

• Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas)

ACAS commissioned a research report Neurodiversity at Work (2016) which identifies policies and practices to help integrate people with attention deficit disorders, autism, dyslexia or dyspraxia into mainstream employment. It is evidence-based and produced by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR).

• The Brain Charity

The Brain Charity looks at misconceptions about neurodivergent conditions, the social model of disability and the benefits of neurodiversity in the workplace.

• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

The CIPD has produced the guide Neurodiversity at Work for HR professionals and other leaders/mangers who want to learn more and support neurodivergent people to be comfortable and successful at work. The guide has two main aims: to raise awareness of neurodiversity in the workplace amongst employers; and to inspire more employers to action.

Recruitment and Retention

• Business Wales/Welsh Government

The Employers Guide to Employing Disabled People offers practical advice on how to attract, recruit, develop and retain disabled employees. It also lists support and resources available to help employers create a workforce that is representative and open to all.

The Welsh Government has employed a network of Disabled People’s Employment Champions, supported by Business Wales Disabled People’s Employment Advisors, to provide advice, information and support to employers across Wales. Employing disabled people expands the pool of talent available in the workplace.

The Welsh Government’s Let’s Talk Respect campaign team produced its first animation (2021) - a short film called Let's Raise the Roof (3 minutes 30 seconds) to illustrate #TheSocialModelofDisability.

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

HSE’s Talking Toolkit sets out best practice for supporting disabled workers and workers with long-term health conditions to get into and stay in work.

Key Dates

There are several awareness campaigns and designated days focusing specifically on neurodiversity and related topics throughout the year. These often provide campaign materials and can be used as a peg to share information and raise awareness in the workplace:

Further Information

• Business Disability Forum

The Business Disability Forum (BDF) is a not-for-profit membership organisation that aims to promote the inclusion of disabled people in the workplace. It provides resources, support, and guidance to businesses to help them become more disability-smart, offering advice on topics such as accessibility, reasonable adjustments, inclusive recruitment, and employee support.

• The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

Establishing Staff Networks: The CIPD’s Guide to Establishing Staff Networks offers practical advice for organisations and their employees working to establish, improve or run an effective network. The guide features case studies as examples of good practice.

• Disability Wales

Disability Wales is the national association of disabled people’s organisations in Wales, striving to promote the rights and achieve equality for all disabled people.

• Learning Disability Wales

Learning Disability Wales aims to make Wales the best country in the world for people with a learning disability to live, learn and work. It provides information, training and events.

• Scope

Scope is a disability equality charity covering England and Wales. Scope provides practical advice and emotional support to people through their helpline, online community, community engagement programmes, partnerships and more.