Neurodiversity support and training in the police

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.030165

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. Do you a generic policy documents for supporting officers with Neurodiversity conditions?
2. If yes to Q1 can I have a copy of the document / documents?
3. Do you have any specific policy documents for offering support for the following conditions: Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, attention deficit hyperactive disorder and autistic spectrum disorder?
4. If yes to Q3 can I have copies of any of the policies?
5. Does your force have any specific support organisations or groups for officers with neuro diversity conditions?
6. Does you force have any routine screening for new recruits in terms of identifying any neurodiversity conditions to assist in supporting them through training?
7. Under the police constable degree apprenticeship what additional support is provided to police officers in terms of balancing: Managing a degree while still being expected to undertake the role of a police constable for officers with neurodiversity conditions.
8. Does your force have a specific portfolio holder or named individual overseeing support for officers with neurodiversity conditions as part of their job role.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Do you a generic policy documents for supporting officers with Neurodiversity conditions?

We do not have a generic policy document.

Q2 - If yes to Q1 can I have a copy of the document/documents? n/a

We do not have a generic policy document.

Q3 - Do you have any specific policy documents for offering support for the following conditions: Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, attention deficit hyperactive disorder and autistic spectrum disorder?

Yes, an MPS Disability and Reasonable Adjustments Policy. There is also a dedicated area on the intranet managed by the Disability Staff Association providing comprehensive information and guidance about a range of conditions including Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, attention deficit hyperactive disorder and autistic spectrum disorder. We do not currently have specific policy documents for the above conditions.

The PEQF Student Handbook has a chapter outlining support arrangements which includes disability services and support, support for learning differences or difficulties and reasonable adjustments. The HEI’s also provide a comprehensive Student Handbook which details the diverse range of support provision available to all students including disability support.

Q4 - If yes to Q3 can I have copies of any of the policies?

See answer to question 3.

Q5 - Does your force have any specific support organisations or groups for officers with neuro diversity conditions?

Yes.

Q6 - Does you force have any routine screening for new recruits in terms of identifying any neurodiversity conditions to assist in supporting them through training?

New recruits are encouraged to self-declare at the pre join stage. This allows for adjustments to be made during the online assessment centre. If a recruit self declares at this stage they are referred to Occupational Health to establish appropriate support and any reasonable adjustments required.

Recruits thought to have an ALN are referred to the Disability Support Team/Student Support Service at the HEI’s for specialist advice and support including initial screening and diagnostic assessment. Recruits also self-refer to this service.

Q7 - Under the police constable degree apprenticeship what additional support is provided to police officers in terms of balancing: Managing a degree while still being expected to undertake the role of a police constable for officers with neurodiversity conditions.

The Met Disability and Carers Passport captures any personal requirements and adjustments that officers need. This informs discussions between the recruit and line manager around support in the role.

Line managers are provided a copy of OH reports. This outlines the reasonable adjustment and provides specific recommendations for supporting neurodivergent recruits undertaking the role of police constable.

The Workplace Adjustment Hub work alongside OH in the implementation of appropriate responsible adjustments.

Dyslexia Assessors at the Met conduct assessments for those who believe that they may be dyslexic. Reasonable adjustments to help recruits on the job may include a laptop, assistive technology such as Dragon software and coloured overlays. Wherever possible, recruits are enabled to study in quiet spaces on BCU’s as agreed by line managers.

A diagnostic assessment report from a qualified professional i.e. psychiatrist, specialist ADHD Nurse or psychologists is required for recruits who may have ADHD but are undiagnosed. This report informs reasonable adjustments in the workplace.

All police constables on the degree apprenticeship are assigned a Progression Development Coach (PDC) managed by Babcock. The PDC offers 1-2-1 support throughout the 3-year lifespan of the programme and also signposts RPO’s to other support services. The work collaboratively with Met in supporting recruits.
Progression Support Officers employed by the Met work collaboratively with line managers to identify actions to assist recruits in managing their workload whilst undertaking the degree.

Recruits with an ALN can access 25% extra PLT to provide more time for studies. Recruits with an ALN are granted 25% extra time when undertaking exams.
The Functional Skills Team managed by Babcock offer flexible 1-2-1 support sessions for recruits who do not have GCSE grade 4+ in English or maths

Q8 - Does your force have a specific portfolio holder or named individual overseeing support for officers with neurodiversity conditions as part of their job role.

The MPS does not currently employ any one specific person whose core role is to support those with such conditions. However, we have a range of resources available to assist officers and their line managers with any neurodiversity concerns.

This support is managed under our Head of Safety, Health and Wellbeing in partnership with our outsourced OH provider.

This support includes comprehensive OH support which advises and signposts officers who have been assessed as having, or who believe they may have, neurodiversity conditions so where a condition is diagnosed, reasonable adjustments can be instigated. The MPS has also introduced Workplace, Disability and Carer passports – a form filled out by individuals to ensure continuity in support on changing line management. We are also currently running a pilot with 14 in-house dyslexia assessors.

There are also a range of staff associations such as the Disability Staff Association, ADHD Alliance, Autism Support Group, Dyslexia Support Group and Dyspraxia Support Network who provide further peer support and can advise line managers in better assisting their teams. In March 2023, the MPS joined in with Neurodiversity Celebration Week, an international enterprise which challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.