Supporting Neurodivergent Social Workers

This training is open to Social Work Managers/PEs/anyone in a supervisory role across Adult and Children's Services within the West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership. Please see below our Partner organisations. 

Areas covered in this training include: 

• Introduction to the different neurotypes
• Introduction to executive functioning
• Exploration of tools and methods to support neurodivergent social workers.

About the trainers

 Florence Smith: Florence is a qualified Dyslexic, Dyspraxic, Autistic and ADHD social worker. Florence is an independent trainer and writer, focusing on increasing awareness of different neuro-types, psychological safety, neuro-inclusion and reasonable adjustments. Florence hosts the website and blog The Neurodivergent Social Worker where she writes to both neurodivergent social workers and to social work employers - specifically advocating for micro cultural and system changes to facilitate neuro-inclusion within social work (such as reviewing recruitment and inductions).

Deb Solomon: Deb is a social worker within Adult Care and practice development lead. After a surprise diagnosis of ADHD during the Covid lockdown in 2020 Deb set up and became Chair of the UK wide BASW Neurodivergent Social Workers Special Interest Group, which also led to becoming  the Vice Chair of the BASW Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group. The Special Interest Group meets monthly and is focused on providing peer support, as well as working on various projects including “Celebrating Neurodivergent Social Workers” campaign, producing working guidance on supporting the neurodivergent social work force, and creating training through the British Association of Social Workers.

Deb is also an independent trainer, providing inclusive workshops focusing on understanding neurodiversity in a range of different contexts. Her particular interests are supporting social work Practice Educators to support neurodivergent students, how to consider neurodiversity within safeguarding, and understanding and recognizing intersectionality through a neurodivergent lens."

Partner Organisations: 

Birmingham Children's Trust

Birmingham City Council

Birmingham City University

Cheshire East Council

City of Stoke-on-Trent Council

City of Wolverhampton Council

Coventry City Council

Coventry University

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Heart of Worcestershire College

Herefordshire Council

Keele University

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust [MPFT]

Sandwell Children's Trust

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Shropshire Council

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Staffordshire County Counil

Staffordshire University

Telford & Wrekin Council

University of Birmingham

University of Warwick

University of Wolverhampton

University of Worcester

Walsall Council

Warwickshire County Council

Worcestershire County Council