Neurodiversity pledge and action plan

To recognise the contribution neurodivergent workers, bring to their roles and commit to act towards a neuro-inclusive workplace, we have identified what we are doing in support and what we plan to do over the coming year.

As part of our Pledge, we have identified two named individuals who will support the pledge within the organisation from both Children’s and Adult Services. One in each service is a strategic lead and one is a neurodivergent social worker. We also commit to maintain a “champion” role and through this Action Plan provide evidence of our commitment to the pledge including the evaluation of impact.

We have identified a Senior Director to be our Neurodiversity Pledge sponsor Barry Hastie Director for Finance and Resources.

By signing the Neurodiversity pledge, the council is committing to valuing and embracing neurodiversity, creating a more inclusive, respectful and understanding working environment that will benefit both our staff and the communities we serve. Signing the pledge not only aligns with important social work values like anti-oppressive practice and advocacy, it also supports our One Coventry values and our goal of becoming a more equitable and psychologically safe organisation for all.   Barry Hastie. 

Louise Shorthouse who is supporting the pledge as a neurodivergent social worker shared her story;

I was a ‘problem child’. The message that I would never achieve or reach my full potential was given throughout my education, which I internalised. I was permanently excluded from school and in trouble with the police, and I then spent my early adulthood believing that I was just not good enough for anything I attempted. This was a core belief that fed into years of anxiety, depression, an eating disorder and difficult relationships. Still, it was never suggested that this may have been something a little more complex than a personality trait.

I qualified as a Social Worker in 2013 and worked in a fast paced child protection environment which I now reflect and see was a huge source of dopamine which kept me focussed and motivated. As I have progressed in my career, and with the joys of fluctuating hormones as I age, my symptoms began to become more difficult to mask and manage.

I had a late diagnosis of ADHD at 40, and of Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder at 41. I have faced my own difficulties in my social work career development and progression as a result of some of my symptoms and have come to mask and manage well, which have at times been a real struggle.

There is more that can be done by means of education and support to enable those with struggles to meet their full potential here in Coventry and I am so glad to have the opportunity to be a part of that. I believe it is important to value every member of staff, and our workplaces should be psychologically safe spaces for neurodivergent social workers to be their authentic selves.

We need to challenge the stigma around neurodiversity and celebrate the skills neurodivergent individuals can bring to the social work profession.