Nathan’s journey with dyslexia support
When Nathan applied for a PCSO role, he felt comfortable being upfront about his dyslexia.
Nathan’s first experience with dyslexia support was when he applied to be a Police Support Volunteer.
“The help I received gave me the confidence to apply for the PCSO role later, even though the process was long and had its challenges. That is life, however. You push through, and I am so glad I did because the support I eventually got made all the difference”.
Encouraging adjustments
When Nathan applied for a PCSO role, he felt comfortable being upfront about his dyslexia. “The Talent Team asked if I needed any adjustments and worked with me to determine what would help. For example, we decided to have the interview questions written out and in front of me. This made it much easier to decode and understand the questions, which took much of the pressure off”.
“One thing I would say to anyone nervous about requesting adjustments is to be honest. The sooner you let people know what you need, the sooner they can help. It is better to have that support before you start training rather than trying to sort it out during, or after your training.”
The adjustments Nathan needed
“At first, I did not know exactly what adjustments to ask for, as my previous job as an HGV driver did not involve this kind of support. But I knew I needed my green coulometric glasses for reading and working on a PC, so I ensured that was considered.
The workplace assessment that followed the training was also beneficial. It gave me insight into additional tools that could help me, even if I did not need them immediately. Knowing that those options are there if I ever need them is reassuring.
One challenge was getting a new pair of coulometric glasses when I found my existing ones were not working. No one had asked for this kind of adjustment before, which probably made the process awkward. But by sticking with it and explaining the need, we made it happen and now the path is clear for anyone else who might need the same thing”.
Navigating the process
When Nathan applied through our recruitment system, he included his dyslexia report and mentioned that he might need extra support. This helped the Talent Team know what to expect and allowed us to start the conversation early.
“The interview process went smoothly because of the planned adjustments, but there were delays with my workplace assessment. It did not happen until after I had finished my PCSO training, making things more complicated than needed. I had to follow up with an email, but the support was fantastic once it was sorted”.
“To anyone unsure about asking for adjustments – do not overthink it. The Talent Team are approachable and genuinely want to help. Being open and honest from the start makes the whole process much smoother.”
Looking back
Nathan said that asking for adjustments made the recruitment process and his job so much easier.
“Writing questions during the interview gave me the confidence to perform at my best, and the workplace assessment ensured I had what I needed moving forward”.
“The best part – by going through this process, I have helped pave the way for others. Now that the team understands how adjustments like coulometric glasses can help, anyone needing them will have an easier time getting what they need.”
Advice for others
Nathan offers the following advice for others “If you think you need adjustments, speak up early. Even if you are unsure what is available or what will help, say what you are struggling with. The team supports you, and you can figure out what works best together”.
“To anyone starting this journey – be honest about your needs, do not be afraid to ask questions and trust that the support will help you succeed.”
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability or a long-term condition, you can ask for reasonable adjustments during your recruitment journey and beyond. Find out how we can support you.