There is a growing body of evidence that people experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD) are more likely to have a neurological difference, either in the form of a brain injury, or a neurodevelopmental condition such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, or a learning disability. Data from the national evaluation of all Changing Futures areas indicates that 38% of beneficiaries experience a neurological difference.
This online learning series is an opportunity for practitioners to develop their understanding of neurodivergence in the context of severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD) and to learn ways to more effectively meet the needs of their neurodivergent clients who also experience other forms of disadvantage.
These sessions will be most relevant to individuals who work with people impacted by trauma, abuse, addiction, homelessness, and/or individuals who experience poor mental health/ have contact with the criminal justice system.
Our learning events showcase some of the new and innovative practices being used and developed across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in this area, and empower people to implement neurodivergent affirmative approaches.
This series is designed to enhance people’s knowledge of this subject whilst also offering practical information, tools and advice, in addition to opportunities for collaboration and joint working.
It is a shared initiative delivered in partnership with the Nottingham City SMD Partnership working closely with colleagues from Nottingham Changing Futures and Framework.
We aim to record these sessions as well as provide access to slide materials and content shared in our meetings. Resources from past events are available via this webpage.
Have expertise to share?
Please contact pdu@nottinghamcvs.co.uk if you are interested being part of this learning series and using our sessions to speak about your own research or innovative practice.
How to stay up to date
By registering for an event in this series you will automatically be added to our mailing list to be notified about future sessions in the series. Alternatively, you can email pdu@nottinghamcvs.co.uk with a request to be added to the Understanding Neurodivergence Learning Series mailing list. You can opt out at any time.
Download our Learning Series poster
Upcoming Events in this Series
How to support the speech, language and communication needs of neurodivergent adults through reasonable adjustments
1pm to 2.30pm, Thursday 19 December 2024
Delivered online as a Teams webinar
Led by Kavita Bhikha and Jess Renton, Clinical Lead Speech & Language Therapists in Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, this session is designed to support knowledge, understanding and confidence around holding in mind possible communication differences amongst autistic adults. It will cover common language and social communication strengths and needs of autistic adults without intellectual disabilities, how to notice communication breakdown, and reasonable adjustments services can make to support their practice. There will be opportunities in this session for attendees to ask questions and share reflections on the topic.
Developing supportive pathways for neurodivergent adults in prison settings
1pm to 2.30pm, Wednesday 22 January 2025
Delivered online as a Teams webinar
Our third session in this series will be led by Allison Woodhead, Neurodiversity Clinical Lead - Offender Health at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Ally will be speaking about the development of the neurodiversity pathway, working systemically to create a supportive, adjusted prison environment and the many improvements that have already been seen through high quality joined up thinking and working, between prisons and community providers/services. She will describe the latest developments and hopes for the future.
Previous Events
Materials from previous events in this series will be available to download, once an event has passed.
Understanding neurodivergence in the context of multiple disadvantage
Delivered online as a Teams webinar on Thursday 14 November 2024
Delivered by Caitlin Brooks, Senior Social Worker within Framework’s Street Outreach Service, this opening session of the series sought to provide clarity on the term neurodivergence and shared insights into why neurodivergence is increasingly considered a form of multiple disadvantage.
Read more and download materials