Australian Federal Police and DXC win award for neurodiversity employment program
The AFP has been recognised for its efforts to create alternative pathways into law enforcement for neurodiverse individuals, awarded for a program in partnership with DXC Technology.
While the agency’s November raid on the Sydney offices of PwC may have grabbed all the headlines, the outcome of an Australian Federal Police engagement with another consulting firm has generated much less attention.
Last month, the AFP received the ‘inclusive communities’ trophy at the National Disability Awards for its ‘Dandelion’ initiative to provide specialised employment pathways for neurodivergent people, run in conjunction with DXC Technology.
Conceived of in Australia, DXC Technology last year celebrated the one-decade anniversary of its pioneering Dandelion Program, having over that time supported hundreds of neurodivergent individuals – such as those on the autism spectrum or who have dyslexia or ADHD – in developing their skills and securing long-term employment in fields such as cybersecurity and data analytics.
As noted by the consulting firm, many individuals with neurodivergence have an extraordinary capacity for visual thinking, accuracy and attention to detail – considered invaluable traits for a career in IT – but may otherwise face barriers in gaining entry to the workforce, such as in navigating the recruitment process and feeling comfortable and included in a conventional office.
According to DXC Technology however, Dandelion has achieved an employment retention rate of above 90 percent since its inception. As a testament to its success, the program has since expanded to DXC outlets as far afield as the UK, Bulgaria and Philippines, with further launches in the US and Middle East on the agenda, while picking up almost two dozen international awards along the way.
Now, the program has another, with the AFP named the ‘inclusive communities’ winner at the recent National Disability Awards, which seeks to “recognise and promote the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations working to create an inclusive Australia where people with disability are valued, respected, and can contribute to the community.”
AFP program
Having commenced in 2023, the AFP’s six participants are now into their second year of training, working across a number of branches including covert and technical operations and in areas such software development, analytics, and hardware engineering. The team is based out of a ‘neurodivergent-friendly’ space in Canberra equipped with “focus tools and a sensory room for work and rest.”
As per Australian Federal Police commander Rob Nelson, the benefits of the program work both ways, crediting the Dandelion trainees with having already helped to solve distinct technical challenges and speed up investigations through the development of software and electronic dashboards to assist seasoned officers in collating and interpreting data at a faster pace.
“We started this program to harness the special skills of people with autism, and further the AFP’s drive towards a more diverse and inclusive workplace reflecting the communities we serve,” Nelson stated. “Their contribution to the AFP has already been immense and we anticipate the program will only continue to grow, bringing unique skills and perspectives into the fold along the way.”
One of those perspectives belongs to AFP trainee Matt Crowley, who noted; “Small acts can transform lives, infuse purpose and give neurodivergent people a chance to thrive in a world which often overlooks their strengths and capabilities. This is something I have personally experienced first-hand from my colleagues at the AFP, contributing to my job satisfaction and well-being.”
