The Neurodiversity in the Workplace Conference 2023

Across the UK, 15-20% of the population are thought to be neurodivergent. In recent years, awareness around neurodiversity has grown and employers have begun to realise the benefits of embracing a diverse workforce and the variety of perspectives that comes with it. Despite this, there are still numerous obstacles faced by neurodivergent people in the workplace. To help neurodivergent team members reach their full potential, organisations must train managers to support these employees, develop inclusive cultures, and create an open dialogue about neurodiversity at work.

• In the UK, 29% of autistic adults are employed, according to 2021 data from the Office for National Statistics
• The British Dyslexia Association estimates that around 10% of the UK population is dyslexic
• 65% of neurodivergent employees don’t disclose their conditions to employers out of fear of discrimination (Neurodiversity in Business / Birkbeck’s Research Centre for Neurodiversity at Work, 2023)

Join us at The Neurodiversity in the Workplace Conference 2023 to hear the latest guidance on creating a neuro-inclusive workplace from leading experts. Engage with a series of best practice case studies that will demonstrate practical steps you can take to better support and accommodate neurodivergent colleagues. Topics will include identifying and implementing appropriate reasonable adjustments, training line managers on best practice to help neurodivergent staff and adapting recruitment practices to widen talent pools. Gain the opportunity to network with senior colleagues from across a range of sectors and brainstorm solutions to common challenges.

Why Attend:

✓ High-level keynotes on the latest guidance for supporting neurodivergent staff
✓ Learn from exemplary case studies to improve workplace cultures
✓ Networking opportunities with speakers and colleagues from across the sector
✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota

This is a live event taking place online:
✓Access a full live event with 8 hours of CPD points from home
✓Network and connect with colleagues in breakout networking sessions and the meeting hub
✓Interact with speakers through live Q&A and networking
✓Review event materials and presentations post-event
✓Receive additional resources to boost your learning and support you in your role

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE TO YOUR
CONFERENCE PACKAGE – GE Insights:

This year’s conference package includes 12-months FREE access to GE Insights, our cross-sector learning resource of case study focused videos, articles, lived experiences and more (RRP £199). Gain unlimited access to our online platform when you purchase your conference ticket.

Key benefits include:

 ✓100s of Exclusive Case Studies – fingertip access to videos and articles covering all key sectors including HR & Employment, and ALL CPD certified

 ✓Key Sessions from All Our Conferences – gain valuable insights from our past, present, and future events (160+ pa)

 ✓Articles and Interviews – learn from our network of expert speakers and contributors explore further the key discussions from the conferences

 ✓Additional CPD Hours – automatically earn more for everything you watch, read, and hear

 ✓Your Own CPD Dashboard – charts your progress, allows you to add notes, download your activities, and save/print an official CPD certificate

 ✓Personalised Homepage – only see the relevant content you need to save time

 ✓30+ New Uploads Each Month – we’re adding new content every week to ensure you stay engaged and informed all year round.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

• 09.00

  Online Registration

• 09.50

  Chair’s Opening Remarks

  Dr Robby Allen, Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Neurodiversity – CDS & SOM, Cranfield University (CONFIRMED)

• 10.00

  Keynote: The Buckland Autism Employment Review

  • What is autism and how may it affect people at work?
  • What benefits can autistic people bring to organisations?
  • What are the barriers to employers recruiting and retaining autistic people and how can those barriers be overcome?
  • What is Inclusion by Design and how can that approach help employers maximise productivity and minimise costs?

  Stephen Lismore, Head of Autism and Learning Disability Employment Policy, Department for Work and Pensions  (CONFIRMED)

• 10.20

  Keynote: Taking a Whole-Organisation Approach to Creating a Neuro-Inclusive Workplace

  • Rolling out campaigns that spread awareness and a greater understanding of challenges faced by neurodivergent peers
  • Working alongside staff with neurodiversity to design and implement policies that create a culture of neuro-inclusivity
  • Tools and resources for supporting neurodivergent staff and signposting available help to allow them to achieve their full potential
  • Strategies to encourage representation at all levels and visible neurodivergent leadership

   John Nelson, Chair, National Police Autism Association (CONFIRMED)

• 10.40

  Questions & Answers Session

• 11.00

  Comfort Break

• 11.15

  Interactive Workshop: Equipping Line Managers to Provide Wrap-Around Support for Neurodivergent Staff

  • Key measures to gain senior leadership buy-in for neurodiversity inclusion initiatives and training
  • Methods to upskill management and provide them with tools to provide appropriate support to neurodivergent colleagues
  • The social model of disability: techniques for overcoming common barriers faced by neurodivergent employees at work
  • Sharing evidence-based approaches to create a work environment that enables neurodivergent staff to perform at their best

  Matt Gupwell, Founder, Think Neurodiversity (CONFIRMED)

• 11.55

  Questions & Answers Session

• 12.05

  Lunch Break

• 12.45

  Keynote: Upholding Employment Laws and Legal Responsibilities to Neurodivergent Staff

  • Addressing rights and protection for neurodivergent workers under the Equality Act 2010
  • Navigating key legal concepts and advice for fulfilling employer duties relating to neurodiversity
  • Key considerations for implementing reasonable adjustments and providing the right equipment to support a neurodivergent-friendly working environment
  • Adapting discrimination and harassment policies and procedures to account for neurodivergent conditions

  Chris Phillips, Partner – Employment and Discrimination Law, Thorntons Law LLP (CONFIRMED)

• 13.15

  Case Study: How Companies Can Advocate for Neurodiversity From the Classroom to the Boardroom 

  Abigail Herron, Global Head of ESG Strategic Partnerships, Aviva Investors (CONFIRMED)

• 13.35

  Questions and Answers 

• 13.55

  Breakout Networking: Overcoming Challenges to Create a Culture of Neuro-Inclusivity

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in supporting neurodivergent colleagues at work. Share your experiences and learn more about solutions trialled by peers from across a range of sectors.

• 14.25

  Comfort Break

• 14.40

  Fireside Chat: Working Environments That are Inclusive by Design

  Lizi Green, Workplace and Education Inclusion Consultant, AbilityNet (CONFIRMED)

  Ashley Peacock, Accessibility and Usaibility Consultant, AbilityNet (CONFIRMED)

• 15.00

  Case Study: Celebrating Staff with Neurodiversity to Ensure They Feel Included and Supported

  • Sharing ideas and initiatives to implement during Neurodiversity Celebration Week
  • Co-production techniques to understand the needs of neurodivergent colleagues and design policies that work for them
  • Creating a staff network to provide a safe and welcoming space where neurodivergent staff can share experiences and challenges
  • Tools and resources for designing a buddying scheme that helps staff who are unfamiliar with neurodiversity understand their colleagues’ experiences

  Deb Solomon, Practice Development Lead/Social Worker, Derbyshire County Council (CONFIRMED)

  Lukasz Gazda, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Derbyshire County Council (CONFIRMED)

• 15.20

  Questions and Answers

• 15.40

  Chair’s Summary & Close

  *Programme subject to change without notice

Who Should Attend?

Delegates who will have an interest in this event will be people who work in Inclusion and Diversity, Recruitment, or Human Resources

*This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

• Public Sector Rate: £449.00+VAT
• Private Sector Rate: £599.00+VAT
• Voluntary Sector Rate: £329.00+VAT