What About the Adults? Neuroinclusion in Schools | Maisie Cass on Creating Value In Schools

We know that inclusive environments matter for pupils. But do we apply the same thinking for staff? Maisie Cass explores what a more neuroinclusive approach could look like – and how small changes can reduce friction, support retention and create space for belonging.

Episode: 40
Listening time: 35 minutes
Released: 22 September 2026

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We have an increasingly neurodiverse workforce. What does that mean for staffing in your setting? Unmet neurodivergent needs can show up as behaviour that gets interpreted as laziness, procrastination or rudeness, when in reality it’s more about anxiety and overwhelm. Host Liz Worthen and Maisie talk about:

Why we need to talk about neurodiversity in terms of the adults in school, as well as the students.
Simple, no-cost ways to reduce stressors and remove friction.
How we reduce burnout and turnover in a changing workforce.
The role of frameworks and unpicking process.
The four Cs framework: curiosity, confidence, compassion and consistency.
The difference between fitting in and belonging.

“Everybody's going to experience the world in a very slightly different way… Get really curious before you decide whether it's an inability to do the job, whether they're overloaded or whether it's something to do with willingness and conduct.”

Guest contributor

Maisie Cass is Founder and Chief Curiosity Officer at Diversity Does, helping schools and organisations to move beyond neurodiversity awareness and make neuroinclusion part of everyday working practice.

Maisie is working with the SBL Support Hub to provide insights and training for school business managers around how they can better manage themselves and others with a neuroinclusion lens. Get in touch for details.