Xceptional - Building a more diverse workforce

The social enterprise, Xceptional, supported the former Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy (CHDE) staff to tap into the unique abilities of neurodivergent workers and create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Opportunity

The former CHDE identified an opportunity to support the objectives of the Queensland’s Disability Plan 2022-27.

CHDE wanted an employment program to improve the department’s knowledge and understanding of how to best attract and retain people who are neurodiverse.

Solution

Xceptional responded to CHDE’s Request for Quote (RfQ) and with their expertise in neurodiversity employment and support, successfully demonstrated their capability to deliver on the scope of works.

Xceptional created their neurodiversity inclusion training to be delivered online to CHDE staff to help build their awareness of neurodiversity inclusion in the workplace.

The training:

• builds the capability of staff to better understand, examine, and challenge existing perceptions of, neurodiversity,
• provides insights into environmental and sensory sensitives, using an interactive simulation activity,
• dives into the business advantages of employing a neurodiverse employee by highlighting their unique skill sets,
• equips individuals with practical strategies for working with neurodiverse people, and
• proposes practical adjustments to existing recruitment processes to be enable the department to be better positioned to recruit from this highly skilled market.

Outcome

Xceptional delivered their neurodiversity inclusion training to more than 60 CHDE staff and increased their capability to employ, manage, and work with neurodivergent workers.

According to a CHDE representative, “the training course ensured staff had a deeper understanding of neurodiversity and the confidence to support a more inclusive and diverse workplace.”

The training also resulted in employment for a neurodivergent person, enabling the employee to get invaluable work experience within the department.

The contract with Xceptional, a Social Traders’ certified social enterprise, also enabled CHDE to deliver on the Queensland Procurement Policy 2023 commitment to increase spend with a genuine, quality social enterprise.

This partnership between Xceptional and CHDE is just one example of how social procurement can play a key role in delivering on your business requirements, whilst also advancing employment opportunities to support the economic participation of Queenslanders who face a disproportionate number of barriers.

Consider social procurement for your next procurement activity to support people from marginalised diversity groups.

For support and assistance, please email socialprocurement@epw.qld.gov.au.