Process for providing support for dyslexic employees
Procedure
Where an employee is experiencing difficulties in their role at work, or they think they may experience difficulties in a new role, and believe this is as a result of dyslexia, the following procedure should be followed:
Initial Assessment
- In the first instant the employee should discuss any difficulties with their line manager and/or the HR Business Partner for their Faculty or Department.
- If the employee is not sure the difficulties arise from dyslexia then they should consult the Adult Dyslexia Check Sheet (If they need assistance completing this check sheet please ask them to contact Human Resources).
- If dyslexia appears to be causing the employee problems at work they may need a full assessement.
Full Assessment
- Adult assessments must be carried out by Chartered Psychologists specialising in adult dyslexia. Please contact the HR Department for contact details of Chartered Psychologists.
- When the employee has made an appointment the manager will need to arrange for an order to be raised to cover the cost of the assessment (this can be between £200 and £400). Ask for the report to be written with recommendations for the workplace.
- An assessment can take up to 2.5 hours.
- All assessments will include a variety of tests. It is not like an exam, there are no right or wrong answers. The assessor is trying to build up a picture of how the employee may think and process information.
- The assessor will provide some feedback about strengths and weaknesses in a report.
Reasonable Adjustments
- If your employee needs further support contact the regional Access to Work centre - they will be able to tell you about support or assistance that is available.
- On receipt of the assessment report contact Access to Work again so that they can advise on recommendations for reasonable adjustments that may need to be put in place to assist the employee in their role at work.
- If a current employee; Access to Work may be able to arrange for funding to cover a proportion of the costs of the adjustments.
- If a new employee, providing they contact Access to Work within six weeks of commencing employment, the adjustments may be fully funded (if in excess of £1,000)
- The cost of the full assessment and the costs of reasonable adjustments (not funded by Access to Work) will need to be met from the Faculty or Department budget.
- If the employee or their manager requires any further assistance or advice contact the Equality and Diversity Team.
Further Information
For further information about adjustments please see www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/files/Access%20to%20work.doc
Local dyslexia helpline on 0115 924 688.
