Access To Work Presentation by: STEPHEN ROE 1 Access To Work Presentation by: STEPHEN ROE DWP – National Access to Work Team

4 Access to Work Provides support and advice to overcome work-related issues resulting from disability Enables disabled people to work on a more equal basis with their non disabled colleagues. Encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people by offering practical and financial help. We offer advice to individuals and employers but all applications must be made by the person themselves unless they are unable to do so because of their disability. The support we offer can remove some of the barriers a person with a disability can face. Access to Work

Advantages to Employers 5 Advantages to Employers Encourages disabled people to apply to work with you and creating a more diverse workforce Visibly demonstrates good employment policies and practices Good disability employment practices sends a powerful message to all employees that your organisation values it’s people. People are an important asset and it makes sense to have the widest possible choice Retaining an employee who develops a disability means keeping the person’s valuable skills We involve employers as early as possible after a customer makes an application. We will always need to talk to an employer as they do have responsibilities; the only exception is where there is no requirement for the support to be used on the employers premises; or the employer is not required to confirm details of support received on the claim forms. Once we have a customers permission to contact the employer we make contact to discuss their role in the process and we send an employer leaflet which will serve as a reminder for them. Access to Work

ADDITIONALITY STANDARD REASONABLE 8 ADDITIONALITY STANDARD REASONABLE This is quite a widely applied for element and can include things such as specialist software for example Voice Activated Software. Access to Work

WHO CAN ACCESS TO WORK SUPPORT? 8 WHO CAN ACCESS TO WORK SUPPORT? This is quite a widely applied for element and can include things such as specialist software for example Voice Activated Software. Access to Work

Alison was successful in securing a job as Human Resource Assistant 18 Example Alison was successful in securing a job as Human Resource Assistant Registered Blind – Could not read information on her computer monitor and written text. Using public transport also a problem as catching a bus meant crossing busy roads and city streets She contacted Access to Work for help Access to Work funded an in work assessment which recommended specialist software and a CCTV Access to Work also provided funding for a taxi to get her to and from work. Next two slides show two simple case studies. Access to Work

Types of Help There are six main types of help: 8 Types of Help There are six main types of help: Communication Support at Interview (CSI) Special Aids and Equipment (SAE) Adaptations to Premises and Equipment (APE) Travel to Work (TTW) Travel in Work (TiW) Support Worker (SW) This is quite a widely applied for element and can include things such as specialist software for example Voice Activated Software. Access to Work

October 2010 15 Access to Work Grants Access to Work will pay grants of up to 100% of approved support costs for: Unemployed people starting a job; All self-employed people; People who have been working for less than 6 weeks when they first apply for AtW. This is self explanatory. The reason we say up to 100% is because there could be a business benefit attached to some items so we would only meet a percentage of the cost. Access to Work

16 Employed People Defined as Customers who have been in their job for more than 6 weeks; Employer Cost Share applies to grants towards Special Aids and Equipments (SAE) & Adaptations to Premises & Equipment (APE); The next two slides are pretty self explanatory. Access to Work

17 Cost Sharing When cost sharing applies Access to Work will pay up to 80% of the approved costs above a statutory threshold. The amount of the threshold is determined by the number of employees employed by the organisation the customer is working for. 0 - 9 - no cost share 10 - 49 - £300 50 - 249 - £500 Over 250 - £1000 The employer is usually the cost sharer. Unfortunately, if an employer refuses to take on the cost sharing we cannot proceed with the application unless someone else can be found to take on this portion of the cost. Access to Work

Customers contact by telephone on 020 8426 3110. 17 Making an application Customers contact by telephone on 020 8426 3110. Application completed and posted to home address. The customer checks, amends if necessary, signs and returns application. The application is allocated to an Adviser who will contact the customer usually within 24 hours. The Adviser will then contact the Employer. This is the standard method for making an application. As already stated there will be some operation changes within the coming months but calls will be re-directed if necessary. For customers unable to use the telephone because of their disability, for example if they are Deaf, we can make alternative arrangements. Customers can e-mail: ATWOSU@JOBCENTREPLUS.GSI.GOV.UK. Access to Work

17 Making an application If necessary the Adviser will refer a customer to an independent assessor. The Adviser is responsible for gathering all relevant facts and deciding on the support that can be recommended for approval. A decision can be reconsidered and reviewed if new information is made available. Adviser will open a three way dialogue with the customer and their employer. Assessors are used to assist the Adviser with the decision making process. Once the Adviser prepares the business case it is passed for approval. Employers are usually responsible for arranging for items to be purchased or training to be booked; they will be required to pay for the items and claim reimbursement from AtW – original receipts/invoices are required. All applications are subject to a full review annually. Access to Work

21 Access To Work Any Questions?