How to create inclusivity?
The Challenge
Initially, Southeastern Railway faced challenges in identifying how to support neurodiverse colleagues effectively. Managers lacked awareness and training on how to accommodate diverse learning and thinking styles. Additionally, an ageing workforce meant many employees faced stigma and misunderstandings about neurodiversity.
Key Needs
✔ A neuro-inclusion solution accessible to all employees, not just apprentices.
✔ Tools to help employees understand their learning styles and develop personalised strategies.
✔ Resources for managers to educate themselves and better support their teams.
✔ A way to destigmatise neurodiversity and promote open conversations.
The Solution
Southeastern Railway selected Cognassist for its flexibility, accessibility, and focus on strategies for personalised learning support. The platform provided insights into employees’ cognitive profiles and offered strategies tailored to their needs.
Key Benefits
Cognassist has played a crucial role in raising awareness and providing flexibility for managers to better understand their teams. Managers have been able to adapt training methods, offering hands-on exercises for visual learners rather than relying solely on PowerPoint presentations. This adaptability has helped cater to different learning styles and improve the overall training experience.
Employees undergoing Southeastern Railway’s intensive four-month driver training programme particularly benefitted from Cognassist’s tailored support. The programme, which requires rigorous classroom learning and assessments, saw improvements in performance and retention rates as employees were equipped with strategies to enhance their learning processes.
Additionally, Cognassist has been integrated into onboarding processes and made available to existing staff, ensuring that all employees—new and old—can access its benefits. This broad accessibility has further strengthened the organisation’s commitment to inclusion and ongoing development.
Impact
Cognassist has delivered notable improvements for Southeastern Railway, particularly in training programmes where employees demonstrated better performance and retention. Employees gained greater self-awareness and confidence through personalised strategies, which positively impacted their learning outcomes.
Managers reported feeling more informed and capable, which reduced fear and uncertainty around supporting cognitively diverse staff. This confidence allowed them to focus on proactive solutions rather than formal HR processes, fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture. Conversations about cognitive diversity became more open and normalised, reducing stigma and encouraging more employees to seek support.
Teams also experienced improved communication and collaboration as a result of cognitive mapping insights. These data-driven insights provided starting points for complex discussions, leading to better problem-solving and teamwork. Differences in cognitive profiles were leveraged to create a more balanced and effective workforce.
Key Impact Highlights
✅ Improved performance and retention rates in training programmes through personalised learning strategies.
✅ Managers felt more confident and capable, enabling proactive and inclusive support.
✅ Enhanced communication, collaboration, and problem-solving across teams.
The Journey has just begun…
Southeastern Railway plans to expand marketing and communication efforts to raise awareness and increase usage of Cognassist across the organisation.
They aim to position neurodiversity champions and engage colleague networking groups to promote adoption and support. Additionally, the company intends to integrate Cognassist into Occupational Health triaging processes to provide early support and reduce reliance on formal diagnoses.
Southeastern Railway looks forward to continuing its journey with Cognassist, leveraging its tools to promote inclusion, improve performance, and support employees at all levels.
