From individual support to universal access
South Yorkshire Police provides safety and security for over 1.2 million people, across four districts - Rotherham, Doncaster, Barnsley and Sheffield. With a growing workforce of over 5200, including Police Officers, Special Constables, Volunteers and Police Staff amongst its ranks, it is the most improved Force in the United Kingdom, and is also one of the more diverse - a reflection of the communities and geographies it serves.
As one of the most diverse Force's in the UK, they have a robust diversity and inclusion programme in place, that ensures provision of support to the needs of every one of their employees. South Yorkshire Police has built a thriving network for its employees that provides support no matter their strengths, challenges, abilities or disabilities.
Neurodiversity accounts for the majority of support requests and workplace accommodations within the force, with dyslexia being the most prominent neurotype exhibited, according to South Yorkshire Police’s Diversity & Inclusion Lead. So much so that the force put in place a dedicated, standalone scheme to assist those with dyslexia.
We have our own in-house dyslexia assessors, an initiative which commenced in 2018. All employees can self-refer for a dyslexia evaluation. We also offer dyslexia screening to all new ‘bulk’ recruits, such as Student Officers, Call Handlers and Investigating Officers.
Noting the high percentage of staff with dyslexia and other diverse cognitive needs, a programme was implemented that provides continuous, dedicated support, including the distribution of assistive technology through the UK's Access to Work scheme.
South Yorkshire Police were recommended Read&Write, now part of the Everway for Work neuroinclusion suite, through this scheme However, rather than purchasing individual licenses, they found that providing the software via a company-wide Enterprise License offered best value for money. It also allowed them to serve all their staff with the highest level of support.
Positive financial and cultural impact
As a public sector organization, South Yorkshire Police are subject to rigorous financial, as well as cultural scrutiny and accountability, so they needed to get the best value for money while providing staff with the highest level of support.
Assistive technology software had always been provided to our staff, previously via the Access to Work scheme. Everway's literacy software was recommended by Access to Work, alongside Dragon. We found that there was no need for two different software applications - for us, Everway's software does everything Dragon does, but with many more functions.
While the Force found that even though the support offered by Everway's software was wide-ranging and effective, the mechanism in which it was delivered - via Access to Work - meant that fiscally speaking, the force wasn’t getting the best value for money, despite getting the best software for their users’ unique needs.
Everway were contacted directly and the conversation about an Enterprise license began, "End users were consulted and found they all liked Everway's software rather than Dragon. Once Everway had visited and presented to us, we realized the wider benefits”.
Rather than rely on a series of ad-hoc single licenses via the Access to Work scheme, the Force realized the potential to not only save money for South Yorkshire Police, but to complement the Force’s culture of inclusion with the option of making the software available to every member of staff for a much more agreeable price point - a decision supported by South Yorkshire Police’s senior leadership.
Generally, there was full support in choosing Everway's technology. Everway really helped by providing case studies, to assist me in compiling a paper for our Senior Leadership Group to consider. From a client’s point of view, there is 100% support and enthusiasm for Everway's software.
Choosing to implement Everway's software on an Enterprise License basis became an easy decision, with the Force's Diversity & Inclusion Lead sharing, “The cost dropped by 93% moving to an Enterprise License as opposed to a single user license."
Quicker, seamless access to essential support
More than having a positive impact financially and culturally, company-wide access to the software also had a positive impact in access to essential support, with the Force's Diversity & Inclusion Lead adding;
“The time frame for providing assistive software has dropped from up to 12 months, to seconds! This has also reduced the admin burden of applying for and ordering the software”.
They also shared how the seamless integration and innovative features of the software are also making a mark on day-to-day productivity;
“Not only is Everway's technology our assistive software of choice, but many of the functions are very useful for all our staff and officers, regardless of disability. Because we now have an Enterprise license, staff and officers can download the software from their own software centers.”
It's not very often one finds assistive software that is as useful for non-disabled individuals as it is for those with a disability. In our case, Everway's technology has not only proved transformative for our dyslexic colleagues, but also opened a door onto functions that allow everyone across the force to benefit.
Lasting impact for staff across the Force
Widely available for all staff to freely download and use as they see fit, Read&Write, now part of Everway for Work, has slotted neatly and effectively into the Force's wider Diversity & Inclusion programme - a factor that has seen existing and even new recruits recognise that South Yorkshire Police are committed to welcoming and supporting all.
By informing our new recruits that we have a dedicated support network (SYP 4D – Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia), alongside the freely available multi-site Read&Write, the recruitment team have noticed an increase in applicants declaring disability. A number of workshops have been held across the Force, raising awareness of dyslexia, dispelling myths and increasing confidence in self-referring for an evaluation
With the software now in place and all staff well aware of its benefits and supporting feature-set, South Yorkshire Police are confident that the software will continue to have a lasting impact for those who use it, day in and day out.
“Choosing an enterprise license has resulted in an overall positive experience” they remarked “Dyslexic staff and officers can access the software instantly. Others can choose to download it for any number of reasons, including using the software to become more productive, accurate and, ultimately, engaged with the organisation.”
