Workplace Consultation

Dyslexia does not affect compentency or intelligence but the difficulties that it can cause can very often undermind ability and performance, which often is a waste of potential. People with dyslexia can sometimes find that they have difficulties in a new job or that things become difficult when the job changes in some way. One size certainly does not fit all and it is very important to remember that everyone with dyslexia is different and work competency requirements vary.

Dyslexia Action's focus is on matching person to role through the identification and development of strengths and the supportive management of weaknesses. Dyslexia is a recognised disability under the Equality Act 2010 and therefore employers are expected to make resonable adjustments to ensure that any employee affected by dyslexia has the same opportunity to perform within their role as their colleagues.

What does workplace consultancy involve?

The first thing to do is to identify whether the employee has difficulties which are typical of dyslexia. Your local Dyslexia Action Centre can arrange either a full Diagnostic Assessment by a consulting psychologist or a shorter Skills Profile by a specially trained teacher. Either of these options can be carried out on Dyslexia Action premises and will explore in depth the specific strengths and difficulties experienced by the learner.

Once this information has been gathered, a Workplace Consultation can be carried out. The employer and employee will first be asked to complete a questionnaire for background information and also to forward a job description to Dyslexia Action.

A dyslexia specialist will then visit the workplace and discuss the precise workplace needs with the dyslexic employee and his or her line manager, the human resources manager and other key people. The consultant will also observe the tasks the employee has to carry out in the workplace. Recommendations will then be made for supporting the employee through specific strategies and adjustments. Verbal feedback will be given at the workplace followed by a full written report summarising the findings.

For more advice or to arrange a consultation please contact Jane Walsh on 0117 9239166.