Neurodivergent Social Worker

This book centres on neurodivergent social workers and how managers and supervisors can ensure they offer neuroinclusive support and guidance in social work teams and organisations.Explaining key theory, information, and practice regarding neurodiversity to develop understanding, it will also enable practitioners to connect with how neurodivergent social workers may experience social work practice and the impact on their practice and well-being. Using a strengths-based and neuro-affirming perspective, it shows how managers and supervisors can understand, value and utilise the knowledge skills and values of neurodivergent social workers within teams and services. Offering frameworks, ideas and advice on specific social work contexts such as supervision, organising and planning work, enabling a sensory-affirming workplace, as well as developing trusted and empathic working relationships, it will help social work professionals to practice inclusively and anti-oppressively with their neurodivergent colleagues.This book will be a useful resource for social work managers and supervisors, as well as practice educators and the wider organisation. Neurodivergent social workers will also find the information useful in terms of their own working strategies and approaches.

Florence Smith is a registered social worker and has worked with children and families in a variety of settings. Florence is a practice educator with expertise in supporting neurodivergent student social workers. Drawing on her own lived experience of multiple neurodivergences, she works as an independent trainer and consultant through Neuro Inclusive Solutions, integrating research and lived experience insights to advance neuroinclusive practice.Jenni Guthrie is an AuDHD+ registered social worker, practice educator and researcher, currently working as a Senior Lecturer in social work at the University of Winchester, UK. Jenni currently leads the BASW Neurodivergent student and newly qualified social worker group and is chair of trustees to the charity Autistic Parents UK. Like Florence, Jenni is a co-director of Neuro Inclusive Solutions. Lived experience in personal and professional contexts informs all aspects of their work.