What is a Workplace Needs Assessment?
Workplace Needs Assessments are impartial assessments carried out in the workplace to identify solutions (reasonable adjustments) to challenges experienced by an employee in their job, which arise because of their disability. These solutions may be neurodiversity coaching, strategy sessions, assistive technology, team awareness training, or environmental alterations.
These are provided as recommendations, which we will also then continue to help you and your employer implement.
If you are a neurodivergent employee, who is over 16 years old, the assessment is free for you. Your employer should cover the costs of implementing our recommendations, but may be offered financial support through the Access to Work Scheme.
For more information on Workplace Needs Assessments for employers or how costing works, give us a call on 0208 133 6046.
Workplace Needs Assessments for specific Neurodiversities
How to apply for an Workplace Needs Assessment
What Is The Access To Work Scheme?
Access to Work is a government-funded workplace support scheme that can help cover the cost of workplace reasonable adjustments which can include assistive technology, specialist coaching and support worker costs. It is available to people with disabilities (which under the 2010 Equality Act includes neurodivergents) and those with health conditions who are employed or self-employed.
A workplace needs assessment is important because it can identify support that may be required in order for an employee to gain equity in their job. It can make a difference to the neurodiverse employees' experience in the workplace.
If you are an employer, it is important to have a workplace needs assessment carried out as this can help you make reasonable adjustments for your employees and start your journey to being neuro-inclusive. This is also important as you have a duty to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.
Since working with one of our neurodiversity workplace coaches and having a workplace needs assessment, Lydia has commented that she has experienced a drastic change in her outlook, memory, attention, and focus.
I really understand my dyslexia and dyscalculia and the unique way my neurodiversity impacts my life. I now know how complex my needs are and this has helped me look after myself properly.
I used to feel stigma and worry that I was lazy, but now I realise that for me, just having a conversation can take a great deal of brain power. Through my coaching sessions I’ve been able to focus on developing my other strengths, rather than feeling ashamed about what I find challenging.
How Much Does A Workplace Needs Assessment Cost?
If you are a neurodivergent employee, the workplace needs assessment is free for you. In addition, if you apply within the first 6 weeks of employment there is no cost to your employer. If applied after 6 weeks however, your employer cost is dependent on various factors. Once we have received your request, one of our expert workplace assessors will be in touch to arrange the next steps.
We will work with you and your employer to ensure that any workplace adjustments are made as smoothly as possible, and we will provide on-going neurodiverse support to both you and your employer throughout the process. At Exceptional Individuals, we are experienced in carrying out workplace needs assessments and can provide impartial advice on supporting neurodiversity in the workplace click below to apply.
Once we have received your request, one of our expert workplace assessors will be in touch to arrange the next steps.
We will work with you and your employer to ensure that any workplace adjustments are made as smoothly as possible, and we will provide on-going support to both you and your employer throughout the process.
What to know before booking your workplace needs assessment?
The Workplace Needs Assessment can be used by anyone who is Neurodiverse, in employment, lives in the UK, and would like to access additional support.
The assessment identifies if there are any reasonable adjustments that would improve your performance or comfort in the workplace.
Recommendations can include:
- Alterations to the work environment
- Specialist equipment (assistive technology) to make specific barriers less challenging.
- Personal coaching and mentoring for developing more robust and personalised coping strategies.
The assessment lasts 1-1.5 hours and is delivered remotely via video call by one of our assessors. Our assessors have great experience in coaching neurodivergent individuals, and they are themselves neurodivergent.
You do not have to prepare anything, but it is recommended that you are in a safe and quiet space. The assessor will lead the assessment. The assessment will cover your strengths and the challenges you experience in the workplace. The assessor will also ask you about your neurodivergence. At the end of the assessment the assessor will recommend solutions specific to your challenges, such as workplace 121 coaching, assistive technology with training or a virtual assistant. If you have any ideas of what would be best for you, please share it with your assessor.
Once the assessment is done, the assessor will work on the report and within 2 weeks they will share a draft report for you to approve. Then within the next 2 weeks, once we know your feedback, we will finalise the report and share it with you for a final approval. Once an ATW advisor is assigned, they will receive the same report.
Book a Workplace Needs Assessment...
Any employee is eligible for a private workplace needs assessment and can get in contact with Exceptional Individuals if their employer agrees to fund it. Employees with a neurodivergent condition often get in touch in collaboration with their employer when they find they are facing barriers at work due to their neurodivergence.
You don’t need a formal diagnosis to qualify for a private workplace needs assessment; if you’re facing challenges at work, that is reason enough to pursue one.
An Access to Work-funded workplace needs assessment works slightly differently. To be eligible for a free workplace needs assessment, you must:
- Be over 16 and work in England, Scotland or Wales
- Be in paid employment, self-employed, or about to return to work. This includes full-time, part-time, permanent, and temporary roles, as well as apprenticeships and internships. Self-employed individuals must meet small business criteria (e.g., be a registered business with a UTR number and a turnover of at least £6,500 annually).
- Have a neurodivergent condition that substantially affects your ability to do your job and/or get to your workplace
What kind of adjustment can you expect from a workplace needs assessment?
The adjustments suggested will vary depending on individual needs, but some of the most common adjustments that can make the world of difference to those with neurodivergent conditions include:
Assistive technology
- The practical tools available that can transform a neurodivergent employee are varied, but can often take the form of:
- Text-to-speech software, where on-screen text is read aloud for better comprehension
- Speech-to-text tools, where spoken words can be written down; particularly useful for meetings and taking notes
- Mind-mapping software to organise thoughts and ideas
- Noise cancelling headphones to reduce audible sensory input
- Screen filters or overlays to reduce visual stress from screens
Environmental alterations
Many changes can be made to workspaces to improve comfort, reduce sensory overload, and generally make your workspace a more pleasant and productive place to be. These can include moving your desk to a quieter area, installing adjustable lighting, ergonomic furniture, and improving access to quiet spaces for frequent decompression.
Coaching and training for employees
One-to-one support can help build confidence and develop strategies for excelling at work as well as managing your neurodivergence in the workplace. Specific areas of focus include time management coaching, organisation, communication skills development, and stress management techniques.
Coaching and training for employers
A wider team that understands neurodiversity and what they can do to support their neurodivergent colleagues can really help foster an inclusive environment as well as make your working life more pleasant. These usually take the form of neurodiversity awareness training sessions that could cover anything from inclusive communication to role-specific support.
Who is eligible for a workplace needs assessment?
Any employee is eligible for a private workplace needs assessment and can get in contact with Exceptional Individuals if their employer agrees to fund it. Employees with a neurodivergent condition often get in touch in collaboration with their employer when they find they are facing barriers at work due to their neurodivergence.
You don’t need a formal diagnosis to qualify for a private workplace needs assessment; if you’re facing challenges at work, that is reason enough to pursue one.
An Access to Work-funded workplace needs assessment works slightly differently. To be eligible for a free workplace needs assessment, you must:
- Be over 16 and work in England, Scotland or Wales
- Be in paid employment, self-employed, or about to return to work. This includes full-time, part-time, permanent, and temporary roles, as well as apprenticeships and internships. Self-employed individuals must meet small business criteria (e.g., be a registered business with a UTR number and a turnover of at least £6,500 annually).
- Have a neurodivergent condition that substantially affects your ability to do your job and/or get to your workplace
What are the laws surrounding adjustments for neurodiversity?
In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 protects individuals from discrimination, harassment, and victimisation based on ‘protected characteristics’, and this includes certain disabilities. Many neurodivergent conditions, such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, can be recognised as disabilities under the Equality Act if they have a substantial and long-term effect on daily activities.
Included in the act’s protection is the obligation on employers to make reasonable adjustments to enable those with disabilities, including neurodivergent ones, to do their jobs effectively and comfortably.
What ongoing support can be provided following a workplace needs assessment?
There are many other ways that we can support both employees and employers when it comes to working with neurodiversity. This includes:
- Tests and signposting to formal diagnosis, career training, mentoring, and assistive technology advice for employees
- Neurodiversity consultancy, training, audits, and recruitment support for employers
How does an Exceptional Individuals workplace needs assessment differ from our other services?
A workplace needs assessment is focused on one employee, and how their workplace can adjust to accommodate their neurodiversity. Through us, employees can also pursue a diagnosis with our trusted partners, and seek training and mentoring, but a workplace needs assessment can be pursued independently of these services.
Similarly, for employers, neurodiversity workplace audits review the current provisions in place for all neurodiverse employees, and our consultancy provides ongoing support to improve and enhance this going forward. Our neurodiversity recruitment services source talented neurodiverse individuals for their dream roles, and our workshops bring greater awareness of neurodiversity to teams committed to inclusion.
Our workplace needs assessors
Our team of workplace assessors includes Ruth-Ellen Danquah, Timothy Lang, and Leroy Willington. Each brings extensive experience and specialised skills, ensuring a comprehensive and trustworthy service.
Ruth-Ellen Danquah – Chief Innovation Officer & ADHD Business Strategist
Over 15 years of transformational leadership. Has supported 1,000+ business owners and generated £120M+ in revenue as a global SaaS business development manager.
Key expertise: trauma-aware, capacity-led performance strategies, AI automation, executive function training, inclusive business design.
Notable achievements: trained 600+ senior leaders (HSBC, Aviva, Man Group, Lush); secured £1.4M+ in Access to Work funding; increased internal coaching capability by 40% across enterprise partners.
Timothy Lang – Head of Delivery & Coach
Eight years of lived coaching experience supporting neurodivergent individuals. Oversees delivery of Needs Assessments, Employee Support, Coaching, and Mentoring.
Key expertise: adapted process models, conversational coaching methods, leadership of assessment and support teams.
Notable achievements: brings personal insight from Dyslexia and ASD traits; leads the Audits team.
Leroy Willington – Assessor & Delivery Lead
Eight years of expertise in neurodiversity, workplace inclusion, and holistic assessment. Former Holistic Assessor for the DWP.
Key expertise: person-centred assessment, practical employment recommendations, internal quality assurance, HR systems and compliance.
Notable achievements: developed tools and communication strategies to improve clarity for clients and employers; produced detailed DWP reports informing Access to Work support.
Workplace Coaching
Neurodiversity coaching bridges the gap between knowing what support you need and confidently implementing it - without the burnout, overwhelm, or "just be more consistent" pressure that doesn't work for neurodivergent brains. This can be funded by Access to Work or paid for privately.
What Our Coaches Deliver:
- No more masking at work - Create authentic professional relationships without pretending to be someone you're not
- Regulated energy management - Build systems that give you energy instead of draining it
- Practical strategies that stick - Tools designed for your brain, not against it
- Confidence in self-advocacy - Learn to communicate your needs without shame or apology
- Stress and anxiety reduction - Transform overwhelm into sustainable productivity
- Executive function support - Break complex tasks into manageable, brain-friendly steps
These sessions with Marie, have made such a difference in me and has far exceeded any expectations I had.
It was really amazing and helped me think about so many new things to do with my career this week and feel more confident
I am incredibly grateful to my coach, Sula, for her unwavering support and exceptional guidance. She has expertly broken down complex tasks into small, manageable chunks, making it easier for me to process, digest, and work through them. By empowering me to take back control of my hectic working patterns, she has enabled me to regain a sense of balance and order in my professional life. Additionally, Sula has come up with innovative strategies tailored to manage my neurodiversity, significantly reducing my stress and anxiety levels.
Assistive Technology
Reasonable adjustments for neurodivergent professionals can vary depending on individual needs.
Assistive technology is something that is commonly provided, helping neurodivergent adults navigate modern-day technology more easily.
Watch the video below to view a sample of assistive technology you could be recommended and awarded
Interested in our Workplace Needs Assessments service?
Give us a call on 0208 133 6046.
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