Could you be dyslexic? Barrie’s unwavering commitment to helping create more inclusive workplaces and supporting those with dyslexia has also led to him qualifying as British Dyslexia Association Approved Workplace Assessor, able to screen colleagues – at all ages - for dyslexia. Any staff that are identified as dyslexic are then referred to an educational psychologist for formal assessment. Barrie adds: Adjustments for our nursing staff have involved getting extra thinking time at their handover when they come on to a new shift, to ensure they fully understand their responsibilities. One of our cleaner’s has also benefitted from using visual cards on equipment and storage as a way of remembering instructions. It’s not uncommon for people in an older age bracket to not know they are dyslexic. In fact, some people will go their whole life without ever knowing they are dyslexic as they have become so good at using coping strategies. But the more we talk about dyslexia, and all neurodiverse conditions, the more awareness we will bring to them. This will likely result in more organisations offering support and adjustments for this valuable talent pool who have a great deal of strengths that are of huge benefit to employers.
Supporting North West NHS workers with dyslexia
The North West NHS Dyslexia Network Barrie, an Information Analyst as Lancashire Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, established the North West NHS Dyslexia Network with the aim of helping dyslexic workers access support and adjustments to allow them to perform to the best of their ability. Organisations such as Ability Smart, Access to Work, Diverse Learners and Right Resources Ltd have collaborated with the network to deliver more understanding on what reasonable adjustments those with dyslexia can request in the workplace, to carry out their role with confidence. Hundreds of staff, including doctors, nurses and HR, along with line managers who want to know more about how they can support their staff with dyslexia, have accessed support through the network. Barrie commented: Part of my role as Ambassador of the network is to help staff access any reasonable adjustments they need to feel happy and perform well in their role, and this may involve me speaking to their line manager about why such adjustments are necessary. These changes are often very minor, but will make the world of difference to how motivated and productive a person with dyslexia is at work.
Despite around 10% of the UK population estimated to suffer from dyslexia – a hidden disability that can affect abilities used for
learning such as reading, writing, co-ordination and memory - many
workplaces still do not provide effective support for dyslexic employees to perform their best at work. As someone who understands the challenges of living and working with dyslexia, Barrie Morgan-Scrutton Assoc CIPD, has established a Dyslexia Network to support dyslexic NHS
workers across the North West.
Barrie Morgan-Scrutton Assoc CIPD, Founder of the North West NHS Dyslexia Network
Learn more about how to support neurodiverse employees in the CIPD Neurodiversity At Work Guide
REGIONAL INSIGHTS
Spring 2022
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