1. DSN Conference ‘What are we Hiding’
John Beasley
External Relations Manager

2. Access to Work Access to Work was introduced in June 1994
Is a National Programme delivered by Department for Work and Pensions
To help overcome barriers that disabled people come across when moving onto or retaining employment.
Provides a grant to cover additional costs over and above the requirements of making “reasonable adjustments” which an employer is legally obliged to provide under the “Equality Act 2010”
A flexible programme that focuses on the needs of the individual.

3. What is a Reasonable Adjustment?
Summary
Where someone meets the definition of a disabled person in the Equality Act 2010 (the Act) employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to any elements of the job which place a disabled person at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled people.
Employers are only required to make adjustments that are reasonable. Factors such as the cost and practicability of making an adjustment and the resources available to the employer may be relevant in deciding what is reasonable.

4. Reasonable Adjustments
There are 3 main considerations when determining what reasonable adjustments could be put in place for an employee.
Changes to the ways in which things are done in the organisation
Changes to overcome the barriers created by the physical features of the workplace
To provide extra / auxiliary equipment

5. Benefits of Access to Work
Encourages greater independence
Promotes work as being the best route to inclusion for disabled people
Enables disabled people to work on a more equal basis with non disabled colleagues
Encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people by offering practical help.
Provides advice to disabled people and their employers

6. April 2013 to December 2013
31,230 individuals were helped through Access to Work
21,990 were existing customers
9,240 were new customers

7. Did You Know?
31,230 individuals were helped or supported by Access to Work between April 2013 and December 2013
Of which:
3620, (11.6%) of the people helped in this current year have been supported because of their dyslexia.
5220, (16.7%) of the people helped in this current year have been supported because of their hearing difficulties.
4770, (15.3%) of the people helped in this current year have been supported because of their visual impairment.
1590, (5%) of the people helped in this current year have been supported because of a learning disability.
1090, (3.5%) of the people helped in this current year have been supported because of their mental health condition.

8. Eligibility Types Of Help

9. Eligibility Criteria
Have a disability or health condition that has a long term, adverse affect on their ability to carry out their job
Be over 16 years old
Be in, or about to start, paid employment (including self employment)
Live and work in Great Britain
Not be claiming Incapacity Benefit or ESA once they are in work (with the exception of higher permitted work)

10. Types of Help There are seven main elements within Access to Work:
Special Aids and Equipment (SAE)
Adaptations to Premises and equipment (APE)
Travel to Work (TtW)
Travel in Work (TiW)
Support Worker (SW)
Communication Support at Interview (CSI)
Mental Health Support Service (MHSS)

11. Mental Health Support Service
Support is available for people with mental health conditions who are either:
Going into work
Absent from work as a result of a mental health condition
Finding work difficult as a result of a mental health condition
The support available from Access to Work includes:
An assessment of needs
A personalised six month support plan, with detailed steps designed to keep a person in, or help them to return to work
Signposting to relevant intervention and support services
This service is provided for Access to Work by Remploy

12. Examples of Mental Health Support
Coping strategies
This could cover a range of strategies and will depend on the individual’s job role, their condition and how this impacts their work. For example:
Keeping a mood diary
Using memory aids such as Mind Maps, checklists
Relaxation techniques when under pressure
Developing a Wellbeing Recovery Action Plan
Cognitive Behavioural techniques
Reasonable adjustments
Development of Flexible working, phased return, etc.
Putting in place a buddy or mentor
Temporary reduction in targets or reallocation
Additional time to complete certain aspects of job role
Regular formalised 121 meetings to review concerns

13. Cost Sharing Financial Support

14. Access to Work Grants
The level of grant will depend on:
Whether the applicant is employed or self employed
How long they have been in their job
The type of help required
The size of company they work for
Access to Work provides the grant with which to procure the support that is needed, it does not provide the support itself.

15. Cost Sharing 0 – 49 attract no cost share
50 – £500 Threshold and 20% of the costs thereafter
Over £1000 Threshold and 20% of the costs thereafter
Costs above £10,000 will normally be met by Access to Work
If there is a general business benefit a contribution will be sought in addition to any compulsory cost share

16. Access to Work Other Programmes We support

17. Permitted Work
Customers on Permitted Work Higher Level and Supported Permitted Work and Permitted Work PCA Exempt are eligible for Access to Work.
Support will be limited to a maximum of 52 weeks in line with Permitted Work Higher Level time limit.
After a 52 week break, customers can re apply for Access to Work support for a further 52 weeks.
Customers on Permitted Work Lower Level are not eligible.

18. Access to Work for Work Experience under the Youth Contract
For claimants aged 18 to 24 Years
Resident in Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales)
All AtW Youth Contract Work Experience applications will be centralised
All AtW Youth Contract Work Experience applications must be made via a Jobcentre Plus Adviser

19. Self-Arranged Work Experience
Must help the individual move closer to the labour market job
Have a realistic prospect of securing paid employment after the placement has ended.
Can last between 2-8 weeks
All self arranged work experience placements for Jobcentre Plus (JCP) claimants must be arranged in accordance with JCP guidance; non claimants apply direct to Access to Work

20. Apprenticeships
People serving apprenticeships are eligible for AtW support as they receive a wage and have a contract of employment.
National Minimum Wage rates do not apply to people on apprenticeships.
If the apprentice stays with the same employer when qualified, cost sharing status will remain unchanged for the whole of the AtW period of three years from the beginning of the apprenticeship.

21. New Enterprise Allowance Programme
Claimants who are in receipt of Job Seeker’s Allowance and who start on the New Enterprise Allowance programme will be able to apply for Access to Work support.
If eligible for Access to Work, support will be available for customer while participating on New Enterprise Allowance and where appropriate, this support will continue when you move into self employment.

22. Sector Based Work Academies
From 9th December 2013 claimants who start a new sector-based work academy opportunity will be able to apply for Access to Work support for the work-experience element only.
This is available in England & Scotland only
Claimants will be referred to Access to Work by Jobcentreplus Advisors who are arranging the placement.
To be eligible, claimants must, have a disability or health condition that has a long-term negative effect on their ability to do work experience (long-term means lasting or likely to last for at least 12 months), and
be aged 18 or over,
live in England or Scotland and: you
about to start a sector-based work academy work experience placement.

23. Drive to get more disabled people into mainstream jobs
Supported Internships
Traineeships
Sector-based work academies
Self-Made Work Trials
Work Experience placements

24. Who can “Access to Work” support?
Claimants moving into employment
Claimants undertaking certain types of Permitted Work
Claimants about to start the mentoring phase of New Enterprise Allowance
Claimants commencing a Work Trial
Claimants about to start work experience under the Job Centre Youth Contract
Claimants taking part in Work Programme and Work Choice
For JCP staff only

25. Case Studies

26. Customers Quotes
“I’m very impressed by Access to Work; with the support provided I can continue to have a fulfilling career whilst coping with my disability.”
I’ve been supported by Access to Work through adjustments to my workplace and my vehicle, as well as a support worker and special aids and equipment. Without Access to Work support, my working life would be severely restricted and I wouldn’t be able to do the broad range of duties in my job.”
“Without the help and support of the Access to Work programme, I wouldn’t be able to do my job, it’s as simple as that.”

27. How to Apply Contact Details

28. How to Apply Disabled employee makes the application.
Telephone based service - alternative arrangements can be made if appropriate.
Contact the Customer Service Team on The team will take basic information and pass to an ATW Adviser.
The ATW Adviser will contact the customer within 7 Days to progress the application.
Once support is agreed the customer will sign a Customer Declaration Form.

29. Further Information
Access to Work information can be found on the internet at
Access to Work Factsheet
Employer’s Guide to Access to Work
You can contact the Customer Service Team on:
Telephone:
Textphone:
This presentation is intended to be a general guide to the principles underpinning the Access to Work programme and is not a full and authoritative statement of the law