Spotlight on … our Neurodiversity Champions
On National Inclusion Week 2024, we put the spotlight on the work of our Neurodiversity Champions. We talk to Jennifer Orren, our Participation Lead who chairs the Neurodiversity Champions Network …
Q) Why does SCRA have a Neurodiversity Champions Network?
A) SCRA has had an active Disabilities Group as part of their Equalities, Inclusion and Diversity commitments for many years; alongside that we have staff who are locally delivering our sensory provisions in Hearing centres. It became apparent that a significant number of staff on the Disabilities Group, as well as within the wider staff network had a particular interest in Neurodivergence. There was a shared desire to implement improvements, both for children, young people and families using our service, as well as staff who are Neurodiverse. Although many staff were actively delivering local improvements, we formally created the Network in 2021 and it has gone from strength to strength since that time.
Q) Who are the Champions and how do staff become one?
A) The Champions are staff members in a wide range of roles within SCRA who have a specialist interest in Neurodiversity. Many staff members are Neurodiverse themselves and/or have Neurodiverse relatives, friends or colleagues. We all share the same interest in learning about Neurodiversity and improving our services for staff and families.
Q) What kind of work are the Champions involved with?
A) The Champions ensure that Hearing centres are kitted out with take away sensory items and in-Hearing room sensory bags, as well as piloting new approaches, such as the Communi-crate initiative. Some of our Champions also deliver staff training at Locality days and staff events. They attend regular online meetings with colleagues and we aim to have an in person day every year where we benefit from training and learning opportunities with colleagues.
Q) What are the benefits of having a Network of Neurodiversity Champions?
A) The Network is an amazing opportunity for staff from across Scotland with a shared interest in improving services for the Neurodiverse community to work together to deliver on this. Since the group was formed, we have refreshed, renewed and refocused the roll out of take away sensory items in Localities, as well as in-Hearing room sensory kits for families during Hearings. Champions have educated staff on Neurodiversity and supported families attending Hearings. Staff are keen to share their experiences and learning and have delivered multiple training events to Localities or smaller staff groups. Colleagues have piloted new and creative approaches, including, for example, the Lego Man emotions builder, the Communi-crate, and refreshed Autism Alert cards. We also benefit from in-house as well as external training and we share this learning to improve our practice.
Q) So what’s next for the Neurodiversity Champions?
A) The Neurodiversity Champions are hosting their first ever Away Day in November 2024, where FASD Scotland will be training us, as well as staff delivering training and information sessions in the afternoon. In addition, as well as monitoring the provisions of sensory items in Hearing centres, we will continue to learn from our pilots and roll out new provisions when possible. We will also continue to work closely with the Salvesen Mindroom to improve our learning and make our working and Hearing environments more accessible. We will meet regularly to share our learning and experiences from both personal and professional experiences to enhance and improve our communications and services to families and staff.