We know that inclusive environments matter for pupils. But do we apply the same thinking for staff? Maisie Cass explores what a more neuroinclusive approach could look like – and how small changes can reduce friction, support retention and create space for belonging.

We have an increasingly neurodiverse workforce. What does that mean for staffing in your setting? Unmet neurodivergent needs can show up as behaviour that gets interpreted as laziness, procrastination or rudeness, when in reality it’s more about anxiety and overwhelm. Host Liz Worthen and Maisie talk about:

• Why we need to talk about neurodiversity in terms of the adults in school, as well as the students.
• Simple, no-cost ways to reduce stressors and remove friction.
• How we reduce burnout and turnover in a changing workforce.
• The role of frameworks and unpicking process.
• The four Cs framework: curiosity, confidence, compassion and consistency.
• The difference between fitting in and belonging.

“Everybody’s going to experience the world in a very slightly different way… Get really curious before you decide whether it’s an inability to do the job, whether they’re overloaded or whether it’s something to do with willingness and conduct.”

Maisie Cass is Founder and Chief Curiosity Officer at Diversity Does, helping schools and organisations to move beyond neurodiversity awareness and make neuroinclusion part of everyday working practice. 

Maisie is working with the SBL Support Hub to provide insights and training for school business managers around how they can better manage themselves and others with a neuroinclusion lens. Get in touch for details.

Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities.

Links and resources

• Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/i2429o
• Find out about ways to work with us: https://createvalueschools.com/work-with-us/
• Find out more about Maisie’s work with education organisations: https://maisiecass.co.uk/homepagediversitydoes
• Check out the SBL Support Hub: https://www.sblsupporthub.com/
• Research around neuroinclusion in the workforce: https://www.disabilityin.org/articles-and-updates/disability-in-unveils-innovative-evidence-based-framework-to-advance-neuroinclusion-in-the-workforce
• Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/
• Belonging in schools: https://createvalueschools.com/blog/belonging-in-schools-are-we-asking-the-wrong-questions/

Chapters

00:00 Neuro Inclusion Focus

01:12 Neurodiversity Terms

04:22 Why It Matters at Work

07:02 Retention and Burnout

09:28 Small Friction Fixes

10:34 Intranet Maze Example

12:14 Team Barriers and Misreads

18:52 Recruitment Ecosystem

21:59 Leader Actions and Frameworks

29:04 Four Cs Framework

30:29 Belonging Over Fitting In

33:53 Wrap Up and Resources