Hidden Voices and the Organisational Risk Context

This chapter critically examines the hidden and marginalised experiences of neurodivergent social workers within organisational and regulatory contexts that are shaped by discourses of risk, competence, and professional credibility. It addresses the significant lack of research centring neurodivergent social workers as knowledge holders and explores how this absence reflects wider patterns of silencing within the profession. Drawing on evidence from allied professions, employment research, and neurodiversity scholarship, the chapter analyses issues of visibility, diagnosis, disclosure, and access to support, paying particular attention to how these are shaped by organisational culture and regulatory frameworks. Lived experience narratives are used to illustrate how neuronormative expectations, stigma, and fear of being perceived as high risk influence professional identity, wellbeing, and career sustainability. An intersectional lens is applied to consider how neurodivergence interacts with race, gender, class, sexuality, age, and access to resources, compounding disadvantage. The chapter concludes by examining the implications for managers, organisations, and regulators, highlighting the need for systemic change to ensure neurodivergent social workers can be seen, supported, and valued without fear of harm or exclusion.