Neuro-Inclusion at Work: Moving Beyond Awareness to What Actually Works

Neuro-Inclusion at Work: Moving Beyond Awareness to What Actually Works

This is a very special FREE event for local employers and their employees brought to you by the .

Date: Tuesday 31st March

Time: 9.30 - 1.00

Refreshments provided on arrival

Location: Answer Digital, 9 Dewsbury Road, Leeds LS11 5DD (Free parking available nearby. Detailed travel and parking information to be sent out to attendees in advance of event).

Neuro-inclusion at work can feel complicated — especially when you’re trying to do the right thing.
Many employers want to be more neuro-inclusive, but aren’t always sure what that looks like in practice or where to focus their efforts.

This event brings together leaders, managers, legal experts and people with lived experience to share what actually helps at work, what often gets misunderstood, and how small, realistic changes can make a meaningful difference.

The day is designed to look at neuro-inclusion from three connected perspectives, because change doesn’t sit with one group alone:

• Senior leaders (SLT) – setting direction, culture and expectations
• Managers – translating intent into day-to-day practice
• Employee to employee –how colleagues support, respect and work with one another

Across these perspectives, sessions will explore:

• Inclusive recruitment, from applications and interviews to inductions
• Day-to-day inclusion, support and creating safer spaces at work
• Understanding individual strengths and challenges — without assumptions
• Supporting people who are questioning or discovering their neurodiversity

The emphasis throughout is on realistic, achievable actions, not perfect answers or complicated processes.

Why this conversation matters

• Around 15–20% of UK adults are estimated to be neurodivergent, including people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and related conditions.
  Source: UK Parliament, House of Commons Library briefing papers, 2023–2024
• In the UK, only around 3 in 10 autistic adults are in employment, despite many wanting to work.
  Source: UK Government Labour Force Survey data, July 2021
• UK survey data shows that working-age adults (16–64) who are employed are much less likely to screen positive for ADHD (around 14.1%) than those who are unemployed or economically inactive, suggesting people with ADHD traits are under-represented in employment.
  Source: UK Parliament, House of Commons Library analysis of the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, May 2024

These figures help explain why neuro-inclusion at work matters — and why practical, everyday changes can make a real difference.

Who this event is for

This event is for anyone who wants to better understand how to support neurodivergent people at work — from senior leaders and managers to HR, wellbeing and inclusion leads.

Speakers and sessions

Neuro-Inclusion in Leeds: A City Ambition

Phil Chan, Neurodiversity Commissioning Programme Leader at Leeds City Council, will outline the Council’s ambition for Leeds to become a city where neurodivergent people — diagnosed and undiagnosed — can thrive. He will also share early insights from a new survey on employment challenges for neurodivergent people, helping to frame the discussions that follow.

NeuroBeyond the Myths: What Employers Get Wrong About Neurodiversity (and What Actually Works)

Delivered by Pete Hughes, CEO, and Brooke Asquith, HR Manager at Leeds Autism Services, this session explores common employer misconceptions about neurodiversity, explains the reality behind them, and shares real-life examples of simple changes that really work.

Leeds Autism Services is a Leeds-based charity that has supported autistic people to reach their potential for over 30 years. Through its training and consultancy brand NeuroBeyond, it works with organisations to understand, include and value neurodivergent people in the workplace.ff

Beyond Compliance: Neuro-Inclusion Through a Legal and Human Lens

Delivered by Jodie Hill, Founder and Managing Partner, and Alicia Collinson, Senior Associate and Head of Training at Thrive Law. Drawing on their experience of building an inclusive organisation and supporting employers and employees, this session explores neuro-inclusion through both a legal and a human lens. It will cover key legal requirements, why neuro-inclusive practices matter for psychological safety, and a small number of practical, realistic steps organisations can take to better support neurodivergent talent.

Neurodiversity at Work: Setting Your People Up to Succeed

A conversation between Kate Dean, Co-Founder and Neuro-inclusion Consultant at Think ND: Inclusive Solutions, and Jane Lindsay, neurodivergent leader, executive coach, and mental health professional. Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience, they will explore the journey from neurodiversity awareness to realising the benefits of a neurodiverse workforce. The session includes practical suggestions covering physical environments, cultural enablers, psychological safety and how organisations can better support neurodivergent people at work.

Leadership, Lived Experience and Neuro-Inclusion

Eloise Bell, Director of People, Culture and Governance at Leeds Mind, will share her lived experience as a neurodivergent leader. She will reflect on her personal journey and how it has shaped Leeds Mind’s approach to neuro-inclusion, exploring the role of leadership, openness and culture in creating safer, more inclusive workplaces.

Leeds Mind – Neurodivergent Voices Panel

Employee-to-Employee: What Inclusion Really Feels Like at Work

Members of Leeds Mind’s Neurodivergent Voices Group will share what it feels like to be neurodivergent in the workplace, focusing on peer support, respect and psychological safety. The panel will explore what helps, what doesn’t, and the role of employee voice groups in driving meaningful change within organisations.

Tabletop Discussion

Turning Insight into Action

Building on themes from the survey and the sessions, employers will take part in facilitated tabletop discussions to share ideas on how workplaces can become more neuro-inclusive. Key points will be captured and shared with attendees after the event.

Free event

This Leeds Mindful Employer Network event is FREE and open to all members of the Network and local businesses, organisations and their staff.

About the Leeds Mindful Employer Network

Establishied in 2013, The Leeds Mindful Employer Network brings local employers together across sectors and industries to champion positive mental health at work.

The Network was established in 2013. Unique to Leeds, it's existence puts our city at the forefront of initiatives to promote workplace mental health and wellbeing.

The Network is commissioned by Leeds City Council (Public Health) and led by Leeds Mind in partnership with local employers.

Our membership currently includes over 750 local employers.If you are not yet a member of Leeds Mindful Employer Network please join for free here before you sign up.

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