What is Access to Work?

Access to Work is a publicly funded employment support programme. It can help facilitate your employees whose work may be affected by their health or a disability. The scheme provides advice and support to both yourself and your employees. It can also pay for any changes that may need to be made in the workplace or for new equipment to cater for the individual’s needs. 

How can access to work help?

Access to Work can often help to cover the full cost of:  

• Aid and equipment to support your employee
• Adapting equipment to make it easier for your employee to use

How can Employment Futures help? 

All of our staff are highly-trained, autism experts. They can help your employee find the confidence and skills to succeed in the workplace. An individual already in employment (or about to begin) can access funding for Employment Futures services.

Once funding is approved we can provide:

• A meeting with both yourself and your employee to determine any challenges faced
• A bespoke plan on how to break the barriers and ensure success 
• Coaching for the individual, in the workplace
• An assessment of the workplace, suggesting reasonable adjustments and practical guidance to support both the individual and also their employer
• Specialist training from our autism experts to large groups within your organisation

Eligibility

Your employee can apply for the Access to Work grant if they’re: 

• Aged over 16
• Normally resident in, and working in Great Britain
• Diagnosed with a disability or long-term health condition which affect their ability to perform to their full capacity in their job
• Diagnosed with a mental health condition and need extra support in work.

How to apply

The quickest and most convenient way to begin the application is for either you, (with your employee present), or your employee applies online at: gov.uk/access-to-work. 

You will be asked a number of questions about your workplace. If you would like Employment Futures to provide support, you should state this in the application process. Please feel free to provide Employment Futures contact details to the advisor who will be in touch with you after receiving your online application. 

Contact us

If you have any queries regarding Access to Work and how our services can help, contact us by email: [email protected] OR by phone: 0191 410 9974.