Individual Support Plan
In partnership with external experts, our colleagues and community developed an Individual Support Plan aimed to support employees to have open conversations with management and peers about what support is needed for them to focus, work and learn at their best.
DNACH Support Cards
We launched a new interactive e-book to help raise awareness and foster inclusion for colleagues living with a neurodivergent, chronic or health condition. It has condition-specific learning cards, an insight into how each condition may affect day-to-day work and guidance for managers and colleagues to offer meaningful support to one another.
Making the invisible visible
In recognition that not all disabilities are visible, we launched sunflower pin badges to offices and depots across the UK and Ireland.
Listening cafes
Our listening cafes are safe spaces for people with key themes pushed up for business change, e.g., more inclusive meetings, update on our Immersive Safety Training and much more.
Catriona's Story
My son, Harris was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and a learning disability back in 2019 at the age of 4 and a half years old. Harris is very much on the go, a day in the house is not an option. He gets up most days and asks where he is going and if it isn’t what is in the planned schedule of a typical week then this can lead to distress. I am fortunate that Harris’ afterschool club also runs a holiday club so non term time he can attend during my working hours however unexpected days off such as school strikes can be tough. Christmas holidays are also a difficult one for us as all the clubs shut down for the festive period. We have learned that what works for our family during this time is to go on holiday – not the cheapest but Harris loves swimming and a hot tub! I used to find birthdays and Christmas mornings particularly difficult. He can’t verbally request what he wants, and they are just another day to him so are treated much the same.
I’ve only been with SSE 15 months, however what I have noticed while I’m embedding myself in is that there is such amazing support available. Belonging groups such as working families, disability and neurodiversity and chronic health plus the health hub have been great. I am also very fortunate to have a supportive manager who understands when things don’t go to plan e.g. Harris’ taxi hasn’t arrived / is late and I have to drive him to school. It makes a huge difference to us as a family.
