Workplace Needs Assessment
Practical recommendations for supporting neurodivergent employees at work.
Understand the barriers affecting an employee in their role and receive clear recommendations for reasonable adjustments, working practices and support. Assessments are available online across Great Britain, with in-person assessments available principally across the North East.
Not sure what assessment you need? Talk to us
When is a Workplace Needs Assessment useful?
A Workplace Needs Assessment can help when an employee is experiencing barriers at work and you are unsure what support or reasonable adjustments would make a practical difference.
After a diagnosis or disclosure
An employee has disclosed dyslexia, ADHD, autism or another neurodivergent condition and you want to understand what support may help.
When work is creating barriers
An employee is experiencing difficulties with areas such as organisation, communication, concentration, workload or their working environment.
When adjustments need reviewing
Support is already in place, but it needs reviewing or adapting to the employee’s role, responsibilities or current needs.
When you’re unsure what support to offer
You want practical recommendations rather than relying on assumptions about what an employee might need.
What we look at
Every assessment is based on the employee’s actual role and working environment. We look at where barriers arise in day-to-day work, what is already working well and where practical changes could make a difference.
Organisation and workload
Planning, prioritising, managing deadlines, workload and switching between tasks.
Communication and meetings
Processing information, written and verbal communication, meetings and instructions.
Focus and working environment
Concentration, distractions, sensory needs and the physical or remote working environment.
Memory and information processing
Working memory, processing speed, retaining information and managing complex information.
Technology and working practices
Existing systems, assistive technology and practical changes to how work is organised or completed.
Management and workplace support
Communication with managers, expectations, feedback and other support that may help the employee in their role.
What you’ll receive
Following the assessment, we provide a clear, practical report focused on the employee’s role and working environment. Recommendations are specific to the barriers identified rather than based on diagnosis alone.
A detailed workplace report
A written report setting out the barriers identified during the assessment and how they affect the employee in their role.
Recommended reasonable adjustments
Clear, practical recommendations for adjustments to working practices, communication, workload, environment or management support where appropriate.
Technology and support recommendations
Recommendations for assistive technology, coaching, training or other workplace support where these would be beneficial.
Practical next steps
Clear guidance to help the employer and employee understand the recommendations and what to consider putting in place.
Workplace Needs Assessment
Online Assessment
A comprehensive assessment of the employee’s role, working environment and individual needs, with practical recommendations for reasonable adjustments and workplace support.
60–90 minute assessment · Report within 7 days · Online across Great Britain · In-person available in the North East
What’s included
Before the assessment
We gather relevant background information about the employee, their role and working environment, including any existing support or adjustments.
Workplace assessment
A one-to-one assessment exploring the employee’s experience of their role, including the areas of work that are going well and any barriers they are experiencing.
Recommendations
We identify practical reasonable adjustments, working strategies, assistive technology and other support that may help, based on the employee’s individual role and circumstances.
Report and next steps
A written report brings together the findings and recommendations, giving the employee and employer a clear basis for discussing and implementing appropriate workplace support.
Not sure whether this is the right assessment? Talk to us
How it works
Arranging a Workplace Needs Assessment is straightforward. We’ll gather the information we need, meet with the employee and provide practical recommendations within seven days of the assessment.
Step 1.
Arrange the assessment
Complete our assessment request form and we’ll contact you to confirm the details and arrange a suitable appointment.
Step 2.
Tell us about the role
We gather relevant information about the employee, their role, working environment and any support or adjustments already in place.
Step 3.
The assessment
The employee meets one-to-one with an assessor for around 60–90 minutes to explore what is working well, the barriers they experience and where support may help.
Step 4.
Report and recommendations
Within seven days, we provide a written report with practical recommendations for reasonable adjustments, working strategies and any other appropriate support.
Why Toucan Workplace?
A useful Workplace Needs Assessment should do more than identify difficulties. Our focus is on recommendations that are realistic, relevant to the employee’s actual role and practical for both the employee and employer to put into place.
Practical, individual recommendations
We consider the employee, their role and their working environment rather than relying on generic recommendations based on a diagnosis.
Specialist assessors
Our assessments are carried out by experienced specialist assessors with expertise in neurodiversity and identifying practical workplace support.
Support beyond the assessment
Where further support would be useful, Toucan can also provide workplace coaching, training, dyslexia assessments and wider workplace support.
Workplace Needs Assessments across the United Kingdom
In-person assessments are also available principally across the North East of England. If you require an in-person assessment elsewhere, contact us to discuss what may be possible.
Online assessments
Available to employers and employees across the United Kingdom.
In-person assessments
Available principally across the North East of England.
FAQ’s
What is a Workplace Needs Assessment?
A Workplace Needs Assessment looks at how an employee’s individual needs interact with their role and working environment. It identifies barriers they may be experiencing and recommends practical strategies, reasonable adjustments and other support that may help.
It focuses on the employee in their actual workplace rather than providing generic recommendations based on a particular condition.
Does an employee need a diagnosis?
No. An employee does not need a formal diagnosis to have a Workplace Needs Assessment. The assessment focuses on the barriers they are experiencing at work and the support that may help.
If a diagnostic assessment would be useful, we can discuss this separately.
Is a Workplace Needs Assessment the same as a diagnostic assessment?
No. A Workplace Needs Assessment does not diagnose dyslexia, ADHD, autism or another condition.
Its purpose is to understand how an employee is experiencing their role and recommend appropriate workplace support and reasonable adjustments. Toucan can also provide diagnostic dyslexia assessments where these are required.
How long does the assessment take?
The assessment itself usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.
How quickly will we receive the report?
The written report will normally be provided within 7 days of the assessment.
What recommendations might be included?
Recommendations depend on the individual and their role. They may include changes to working practices, communication, organisation, workload or the working environment, as well as assistive technology, coaching, management support or other appropriate adjustments.
We only recommend support that is relevant to the barriers identified during the assessment.
Can assessments be carried out online?
Yes. Online Workplace Needs Assessments are available across Great Britain.
In-person assessments are available principally across the North East of England. If you require an in-person assessment elsewhere, contact us to discuss what may be possible.
What happens to the information shared during the assessment?
We treat information shared during a Workplace Needs Assessment confidentially and will not share information or recommendations with others without the employee’s express permission.
We will explain how information will be used and shared as part of the assessment process.
Ready to arrange a Workplace Needs Assessment?
Arrange an assessment for an employee, or speak to us if you’re not sure whether a Workplace Needs Assessment is the right next step.
Our Services
Delivering Change:
Services • Support • Understanding
Services
We offer expert assessments, training and coaching to empower individuals and elevate business performance.
Support
We give individuals the knowledge, confidence and tools to thrive driving lasting personal empowerment
Understanding
We help employers grasp neurodiversity law, talent benefits and practical inclusion strategies to transform workplace culture.