| 9:00-9:30am | Breakfast session: The business value of adjustment management with our event sponsor Microlink Susan Scott Parker OBE and Nasser Siabi OBE will discuss their findings on effective adjustment management and its critical role in supporting the NHS. They will highlight how a fit-for-purpose adjustment service can enhance retention, productivity, and wellbeing among NHS staff, particularly those who are neurodivergent or managing disabilities. The conversation will focus on the twelve critical success factors, emphasising the need for a dedicated service manager, a single-entry point, and a reasonable speed of delivery. They will also explore the benefits of a trust-based approach over a compliance-driven culture, aiming to deliver adjustments promptly, fairly, and cost-effectively. |
| 9:30-9:50am | Welcome from our co-hosts Celia Chartres-Aris, Multi-award winning Disabled Government Special Advisor, Co-Founder Disabled by Society, Global Future Young Leader UK Ambassador- One Young World, Disability Unit Regional Stakeholder- Cabinet Office Olayinka Iwu, Assistant Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, NHS England London |
| 9:50-10:10am | Keynote address: Improving equity for disabled people in the workplace Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State (Minister for Employment), Department for Work and Pensions Find out what the government is doing nationally to improve equity for disabled people in the workplace and what actionable strategies you can embed locally, such as disability pay gap monitoring, Access to Work and workplace support. |
| 10:00-10:45am | Equity in recruitment practice Join our panel discussion to hear how the health and social care sector could lead the way in recruiting more disabled people, making our workplaces accessible for all and creating workplace cultures in which disabled staff can thrive. - Adeshola Akanji, Outpatients Transformation and Efficiency Project Manager, Barts Health NHS Trust.
- Stuart Moore, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead (Workforce Education and Training), NHS England
- Jane Hatton, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Evenbreak
- Susan Scott-Parker, Founder, Scott-Parker International
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| 10:45-11:00am | Break and virtual networking Join our tables in the breakout area to learn more about our sponsors and some of the national staff networks. |
| 11:00-11:35am | Keynote address: Transforming support at University Hospitals Birmingham Dr Darren Ralph, Director of Inclusion, University Hospitals Birmingham Learn about the multi-faceted approach University Hospitals Birmingham has taken to transform support for disabled staff and how this has shifted the organisation’s culture. |
| 11:35-11:40am | Comfort break |
| 11:40am - 12:30pm | Panel discussions (choice of two) 1. Navigating assistive technology and artificial intelligence Find out from our experts how assistive technology can support disabled staff in their roles. Our panellists will share practical insights about using AI and how this is being used both in the NHS and in other sectors to improve working lives. - Dr Nasser Siabi OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Microlink
- Helen Merrick, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Haseeb Ahmad, Leicestershire Partnership Trust
- Mary Lavender, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust
- Meike Bliebenicht, DE&I Director and Accessibility/Neurodiversity Lead, BP
2. Exploring neurodiversity Join our experts and explore why we should embrace neurodiversity and the benefits it can bring to your workforce. Enhance your understanding of how you can support neurodivergent colleagues, especially those diagnosed later in life. - Tracey Abbott, Access Consultant - Recruitment, Microlink
- Rachel Rummery, Consultant Paediatric and Perinatal Pathologist, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Sandi Wassmer, Chief Executive, enei
- Alice McCarron, Chair of Neurodiversity Staff Network, Devon Partnership NHS Trust
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| 12.20-12.30pm | Reflections from the co-hosts |
| 12:30-1:30pm | Lunch break Virtual lunch tables will be available for delegates to join if they would like to network. |
| 1:35-2:30pm | Disability inclusion in action Hear real-life examples of disability inclusion as we share personal insights and good practice case studies that showcase initiatives that have had a positive impact for both individuals and organisations. This session will feature case studies from two organisations, delving into crucial topics of the Workforce Disability Equality Standard. Discover strategies for career progression and learn effective ways to reduce bullying and harassment in the workplace. |
| 2:30-2:45pm | Break and online networking |
| 2:45-2:50pm | Welcome back from the co-hosts |
| 2:50-3:40pm | Breakout sessions Leading change: What boards can do Explore the role of boards in developing disability confidence in their managers and across their organisations and systems in order to advance inclusion. Joan Saddler, Director of Partnerships and Equality, NHS Confederation Faisal Hussain, Deputy Chair, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and Chair, Spinal Injuries Association Trust Hattie Llewelyn-Davies, Chair, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust Sandra Coley, Senior Disability Business Partner, Business Disability Forum The importance of staff networks Join disabled staff network leads and hear about the important role they play in keeping Workforce Disability Equality Standard strategies and plans on track. Richard Molyneux, Disability Inclusion Group Chair, NHS Confederation Ann Weekes, EDI Service Development Lead, North London NHS Foundation Trust Stuart Moore, Director of the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks (CIC) and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead: Workforce, Training and Education Directorate, NHS England. Gina Patel, Disability and Wellbeing Network co-chair, NHS England Understanding hidden disabilities Improve your understanding of what it is like living and working with a hidden disability in the NHS and access tips on how to make your environments more inclusive for people with hidden disabilities. Kataya McKeever-Willis, Senior Programme Officer: Diversity and Inclusion, NHS Employers Nicky Bowbrick Parry, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, East of England Ambulance Service Trust Barbara Molony-Oates, Public Involvement Manager, Health Research Authority Usmaan Khan, Service User, NHS Confederation Mental Health Network Navigating Access to Work Learn how to navigate the Access to Work scheme, hear first-hand from our experts who will share insights to enable better outcomes for disabled colleagues. Robert McLaren, Director of Policy, Policy Connect Graham Huggins, Neurodiversity Workplace Assessor, Assistive Technology Training and Coach, Neurodiversity Assessment Tech Training and Coaching (NATTC) Deborah Cox, Workplace Adjustments Officer, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Fostering psychological safety Explore how to build psychologically safe environments for disabled colleagues which eliminate the conditions where bullying, harassment and abuse occur. Dr Melissa Carr, Director of EDI in the World of Work Institute and Lecturer in International Human Resource Management, Henley Business School Dr Justin Aunger, Department of Applied Health Sciences Research Fellow, University of Birmingham and University of Surrey Nick Clarke, Deputy Director Policy and Governance, NHS England Chris Picknett, Workforce Equality Diversity and Inclusion Project Manager, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
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| 3:40-3:45pm | Comfort break |
| 3:45-4:15pm | Keynote address: You are the best thing since sliced bread Samantha Renke, Actress, Broadcaster, Writer, Disability Rights Campaigner and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Hear from Sam Renke, a prominent figure in the disability world about her campaigns for disability rights, including ableism in workplaces and how to talk to people at work in order to have independence and autonomy. |
| 4:15-4:30pm | Closing remarks from our co-chairs |
