Access to Work Scheme

What to Expect from the Access to Work Scheme

Access to Work is designed to support individuals who are disabled or have a health condition that affects their ability to do their job. The scheme can offer a range of services aimed at ensuring you can thrive in a work environment.

What Access to Work can help with:

• Personalised support: This could include advice and tailored recommendations to help you manage challenges in the workplace.

• Practical support: This includes providing assistive equipment, job coaches, or personal assistants to help with daily tasks.

• Mental health support: If your mental health impacts your ability to work, Access to Work can help with counseling or therapy.

• Adjustments at work: They can fund or advise on making reasonable adjustments in your workplace, such as quiet spaces or changes to your working hours.

• Travel support: If you need help with transportation to and from work (e.g., taxis, travel training, or driving lessons), Access to Work can provide funding or assistance.

• Job coaching: A coach can support you to adjust to your work environment, improve your skills, and manage work-related stress or difficulties.

• Equipment: They can provide equipment or technology to help you with specific tasks (e.g., noise-cancelling headphones, specialised software, or ergonomic chairs).

• Communication support: They can fund sign language interpreters or provide communication devices if needed.

Determine Your Eligibility

To be eligible for Access to Work, you must meet certain criteria:

• Disability or health condition: You must have a physical or mental health condition or disability that affects your ability to work or find work.

• Employment status: You must be in work or about to start a job. This includes self-employment, voluntary work, or an apprenticeship.

• Age: You must be over the age of 16 and living in England, Wales, or Scotland (the scheme is not available in Northern Ireland, though similar support exists there).

• Working hours: You must be employed for at least 16 hours per week.

If you meet these criteria, you may be eligible for funding or support through Access to Work.

Apply for Access to Work

You can apply for Access to Work by completing an application, which can be done online, over the phone, or by post.

1. Online: You can apply through the government’s website: Apply for Access to Work.

2. Phone: Call the Access to Work helpline at 0800 121 7479 to start your application and discuss your needs.

3. Via a support worker or advocate: If you need help completing the application, you can have a family member, support worker, or advocate assist you.

When you apply, you’ll need to provide:

• Your contact details.

• Information about your health condition or disability.

• Your current or potential employer’s details (if you have a job).

• Any specific support needs you have in the workplace.

Assessment

After your application is received, you will typically be invited to have an assessment. This can take place over the phone or in person, depending on your preference and circumstances.

What the assessment will involve:

• A trained advisor will assess your specific needs in relation to your health condition or disability.

• You will discuss the challenges you face in the workplace (e.g., sensory overload, difficulties with organisation, social interactions, or time management).

• The advisor will ask questions to understand your strengths and areas where support is needed.

• The assessment will cover things like the physical environment at your workplace (e.g., lighting, noise), your working hours, and task demands (e.g., complex tasks, multitasking).

• Support needs will be identified, and recommendations will be made for any adjustments or equipment that might help you.

Receive the Support

Based on the assessment, Access to Work will provide a report that outlines the support they can offer. This might include recommendations for:

• Adjustments at work: For example, reducing distractions in the workplace, providing a mentor or job coach, or adjusting your work hours.

• Funding for support: Access to Work may offer funding for certain types of support or equipment. This might include:

• Assistive technology (e.g., voice-to-text software, task management apps).

• Personal assistants or job coaches.

• Transport support (e.g., funding for taxis or public transport costs if you have difficulty using public transport).

• Mental health support (e.g., counseling or therapy).

• Workplace adjustments: You might be advised on changes that your employer can make, such as allowing you to work from home, providing flexible hours, or offering a quieter space to work in.

Example: If you have autism and struggle with sensory overload, Access to Work might recommend a quieter space to work or noise-cancelling headphones. If you have ADHD, they might suggest a mentor to help you stay focused or time management tools to keep you on track.

Employer's Role

While Access to Work supports you directly, some adjustments might require cooperation from your employer. For example:

• Your employer may need to agree to changes in the workplace (e.g., providing a quiet space, flexible hours, or helping you manage workload).

• Access to Work may provide funding directly to the employer for reasonable adjustments or equipment, or provide you with financial support that you can use to access services.

It’s important to discuss any recommendations from Access to Work with your employer so they can implement the necessary adjustments.

Review and Ongoing Support

Once you begin your support, Access to Work may review your progress after a certain period (e.g., 6 months). They can reassess if your needs have changed or if you require additional help.

• If your job role or conditions change, you can request an additional assessment to review your new needs.

• If any issues arise at work, such as difficulties with the adjustments, you can contact Access to Work for advice and further support.

Examples of Support Available Through Access to Work

• Equipment and technology: If you struggle with organisation, you might receive funding for a digital planner or task management app. Or if you struggle with sensory overload, you might be provided with noise-cancelling headphones or an office divider to reduce distractions.

• Personal assistance or job coaching: If you have difficulty with social interaction or understanding workplace communication, Access to Work may provide a job coach to help you navigate social situations, manage stress, or understand workplace expectations.

• A personal assistant could help with specific tasks, like organising your day or managing appointments.

• Travel support: If you experience anxiety or difficulty using public transport, Access to Work may provide funding for taxis or help you with travel training to make your journey easier and less stressful.

• Workplace adjustments: Access to Work can help arrange reasonable adjustments such as flexible hours or a quieter workspace. For example, if you struggle with sensory overload, the scheme might help with adjustments like lighting and noise reduction at your workplace.

• Mental health support: If your mental health condition (e.g., anxiety or depression) affects your ability to work, Access to Work can provide access to counselling, therapy, or other support services to help you manage your mental health.

Final Thoughts

The Access to Work scheme is a valuable resource that can provide you with tailored support to help you overcome barriers in the workplace due to health conditions. By applying for an assessment, you can access funding for adjustments, equipment, and support services that can help you find and maintain employment. The scheme is designed to make the workplace more accessible and to ensure you have the support you need to succeed.