Understanding Neurodiversity – Stuart Crampton and Leanne Deveney
Stuart Crampton is a Senior SEND Quality Assurance Officer at Manchester City Council. He used to be a SENCO and Assistant Headteacher in a mainstream secondary school. Stuart works to make sure all children get a good education and helps schools across Manchester become more inclusive.
He co-leads Neurodiversity in Education, a city-wide project that brings schools and families together. The project helps staff learn more about neurodiversity and how to support neurodivergent children in positive, strengths-based ways.
Leanne Deveney leads the project at Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF). She meets regularly with parent carers to listen and share their views with schools and services. The project also offers training for staff, shaped by feedback from parents, children, and young people.
Leanne joined the project after seeing her own son struggle in mainstream education. She realised that adults needed to work together to support him—and that’s exactly what the project aims to do.
Stuart and Leanne’s workshops
Each workshop will run in person and online. They are designed to help staff better understand neurodiversity and support children in inclusive ways.
1. Understanding neurodiversity and enabling environments
Focus: What neurodiversity means and how it affects children and young people.
Key Themes:
- What neurodiversity looks like in everyday life
- How different neurodivergent profiles experience the world
- The role of physical, social, and emotional environments
- Practical tips for creating inclusive spaces
Dates:
- In-person: Wednesday 24 September, 10:00 to 12:30
Friends’ Meeting House, M2 5NS - Online: Friday 7 November, 10:00 to 12:30
Microsoft Teams
2. Exploring anxiety and distressed behaviours
Focus: How anxiety and behaviour are linked to neurodiversity.
Key Themes:
- How anxiety shows up in neurodivergent children
- What causes distressed behaviours
- Encouraging curiosity and understanding
- Building supportive, solution-focused approaches
Dates:
- In-person: Monday 17 November, 10:00 to 12:30
Friends’ Meeting House, M2 5NS - Online: Thursday 27 November, 10:00 to 12:30
Microsoft Teams