Neurodivergent is a relatively new term – and one which is being talked about more and more. Put simply it means someone who thinks differently from the way the majority (referred to as neurotypical) expect. It’s estimated that roughly 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent. The term includes autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and ADHD.

Teams with neurodivergent professionals can be 30% more productive than those without them. But there is also a greater incidence of mental health difficulties like anxiety and depression among neurodiverse individuals.

This workshop will help you to understand what neurodivergence is, what neurodivergent people can bring to your organisation, the challenges that neurodivergent people can face and how you can support neurodivergent employees, tenants and residents.

What the session will cover: 

• What is neurodiversity?
• Mapping out aspects of neurodivergence
• Social/medical models, celebration of difference
• Working practices and Making workplaces more accessible and inclusive
• Dealing with neurodiverse tenants – practical tips
• Reflections and action points to take forward.

Who it is essential for: 

Everyone who wants to know more about neurodiversity including HR and training professionals, operational managers, housing officers, equality, diversity and inclusion specialists.

10:00 Welcome and introductions

• • Colin Heyman, Associate, HQN

10:10 Neurodiversity in Housing and the Workplace

• • Gemma North, Consultant, Gemma North Consultancy

    • Attending the session will be an opportunity to increase awareness about how to create more neuro-inclusive workplaces. We will also discuss how to attune to and enable neurodivergent tenants and residents in everyday situations.

10:55 Q&A

11:00 Putting neurodiversity at the heart of our recruitment process

• • Helen Allen, People and Talent Manager, Stepping Stone Projects

11:30 Break

11:45 Neurodiverse graduate scheme

• • Aileen Evans, Group Chief Executive, Grand Union Housing Group

12:15 HR – good practice

• • David Gibson, Partner, Burnetts Solicitors

    • David will look at the opportunities that are provided to an organisation in working with the neurodivergent employee and outline some of the key areas where issues may arise in the employment/HR context. This will focus on establishing a practical relationship based on flexibility, engagement and responsibility to enable a productive and efficient work-space.

12:45 Q&A

13:05 Closing remarks

13:15 Close

Aileen Evans, Group Chief Executive, Grand Union Housing Group

Aileen Evans is Chief Executive Officer of Grand Union Housing Group and at the end of June 2021 completed her term as the president of the Chartered Institute of Housing, the professional body for those working in housing.

A qualified coach and NLP master practitioner she has a strong interest in understanding healthy organisational cultures and the impact on performance. An emerging mental health campaigner, she was, as part of her presidential campaign, working with the metal health charity MIND to provide a guide for housing organisations on creating mentally health organisations and had set a fundraising target of £50K to support MIND this year.

Colin Heyman, Associate, HQN

Colin Heyman has worked as a trainer, consultant and coach in equality and diversity for over 20 years, and has worked with small companies, large public sector organisations, and third sector organisations, including housing associations. Colin is the Lead Consultant for the HQN Equality, Diversity and Inclusion network. Amongst other things, Colin specialises in supporting a network of Diversity Champions to be change agents, and bring about change within their organisation, and in work on white privilege and allyship. Through his work, Colin hopes to bring about improved practice in equality and diversity, help people to realise that equality, diversity and Inclusion (EDI) permeates most of what we do, get the issues discussed and enable people to feel comfortable about debating these important issues.

Gemma North, Consultant, Gemma North Consultancy 

Gemma North is a training consultant and coach with expertise in neurodiversity and social care settings. She has extensive experience of working with individuals and groups as a social worker and educator in a range of organisations such as universities, charities, social enterprises and local authorities. Gemma is committed to meaningful inclusion; enabling people to fulfil their potential and improve their outcomes.

David Gibson, Partner, Burnetts Solicitors

David Gibson trained as a solicitor and worked in London advising a range of clients from major trade unions to leading media organisations. David relocated to the North East and joined Burnetts as Head of Department in 2021 leading the team in the North West and North East. David has a keen interest in the changing nature of the relationship between work providers and work deliverers and is of the view that the traditional employer-employee relationship is becoming redundant. Consequently he has extensive experience in how companies can organise workforces to ensure remote working and homeworking can work effectively.

David has over the years developed a considerable expertise on other key inter-related areas such as social media and GDPR. This has included rolling out training and support to the sector issues and drafting relevant policies and procedures.

Helen Allen, People and Talent Manager, Stepping Stone Projects

If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected]

Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

Cancellations must be made in writing, and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited.