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The midlands constabulary has become the first force in history to achieve the British Dyslexia Association’s SMART award.
The SMART award recognises and promotes good practice for supporting the needs of people with dyslexia and those of us who are neurodiverse. Most organisations will have at least one or two staff members who learn and think differently on their books, and often but not always- they can feel challenged by some aspects of their role. This can lead to a number of unhappy outcomes: neurodiverse talent can feel isolated or pushed out of mainstream workflow models, and could even struggle with their assigned tasks and responsibilities. Many people could also find themselves frustrated at not working to their full potential, and not being able to contribute to the degree that they’d like to when it comes to creative working and finding solutions.
The SMART award is designed to recognise places of employment that make an ongoing commitment to make sure that dyslexic and neurodiverse people are being supported in their day-to-day work, and promoting good practice when it comes to addressing issues of dyslexia and neurodiversity in the workplace. But it’s also about being proactive, and raising awareness as part of creating a narrative change when it comes to being neurodiverse, as well as keeping up to date with key developments in the dyslexia community and getting involved, too.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, had this to say on the achievement:
“I’m extremely proud of Cheshire Constabulary for winning this award, it demonstrates how the Constabulary empowers those who wish to join. This award goes to show that here in Cheshire we’re breaking down barriers that people may think prevent them from having a policing career. I hope this news encourages and empowers those in our communities who want to join the police to take the leap of faith and join the Cheshire Constabulary family.”
You can find out more about Cheshire Constabulary and their achievement at CheshirePolice.UK. If you or the business that you work for are interested in the SMART award, you can also find out everything you need to know at the British Dyslexia Association.
