Join the Neurodiversity Group
It has been established and run by our colleagues with a drive and a real commitment to bring people together with shared and different backgrounds and experiences.
Neurodiversity is the concept that all humans vary in terms of how we think, process information, and communicate with others.
Today, those neurological differences are described as autism spectrum conditions, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and others.
People experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways. Everyone has talents and things they find challenging.
There is no one right way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences should not be seen as deficits.
Aims
The Neurodiversity Group mirrors the aims of the Dis-ability Inclusion Network, we:
- provide a safe, respectful, confidential, and supportive environment for employees from across the organisation to discuss issues, while promoting a working environment where all feel safe and confident to be themselves and perform to the best of their ability within the organisation
- increase the visibility of employees who identify as neurodivergent, promoting equality across the organisation by supporting personal and career development
- inform and influence our approach to neurodiversity inclusion issues and contribute experience, expertise, and ideas to improve the quality of services we offer our customers, especially those with neurodivergent conditions
- act as a consultation body on issues relating to the specific needs of neurodivergent employees
- provide opportunities for networking and organise awareness raising activities for employees relevant to the group, celebrating difference and diversity and challenging intolerance to the wider community
- liaise with internal departments and external organisations on relevant issues
- be actively involved and engaged in the development and implementation of our equality, diversity, and inclusion strategy
- collaborate with other employee support networks to share information and good practice
Membership
Membership is open to all our employees supporting the aims of the network. We also welcome contact, attendance and comments from school staff, external organisations, partners and external networks, including those from members of the wider community of Derbyshire.
The Neurodiversity Group operates in association with the Dis-ability Inclusion Network and co-hosts their Teams Channels, to ensure information is readily accessible by all.
Confidentiality of membership will be respected.
Meet some of the Dis-ability Inclusion Network members.
Ways of working
The Neurodiversity Group is managed by the Dis-ability Inclusion Network.
The network appoints network leads to ensure that it runs fairly and smoothly - particular roles include facilitator roles, for example chair and secretary.
Support roles within the group (like chairing meetings, taking notes, organising events) are fulfilled by those willing to volunteer their assistance, with due recognition recorded in personal development review (My Plan).
The network will have facilitator and co-facilitator who organise, arrange, and agree the hosting of meetings supported by the rest of the group. The facilitator post will run for a 12-month time period being agreed by consensus each April.
Meetings
Meetings are recorded and made available on our Teams channels for those who are unable to attend to playback at a convenient time.
Our Neurodiversity Group members currently meet every third Wednesday of each month, at midday through Teams.
This session is only open to those who request to join, it is closed to general attendance.
We encourage attendees to bring their lunch, join with camera off, and participate if possible. This meeting is a quiet space, where lights, noise, and other stimuli are reduced to accommodate individuals with sensory sensitivities or a preference for a calmer environment.
Any issues discussed or topics that may be of benefit for the rest of the Dis-Ability Inclusion Network will be brought forward by our Neurodiversity Lead Deb Solomon.
You can request an invitation to the Neurodiversity Network meeting by emailing din@derbyshire.gov.uk.
For further information and future meeting dates, or if there is something you would like to organise, or a topic you think our network should be engaging in, please email din@derbyshire.gov.uk.