Background

The Access to Work scheme is a government initiative aimed at removing work-related barriers for people with disabilities, including those with Autistic Spectrum conditions. The range of support they offer varies widely as it is based on the individual needs of the person. Their main aim is to provide recommendations for adjustments in the workplace, or in working practices and provide advice to your employer on how to support you. The Access to Work scheme includes a Hidden Impairments Specialist Team, targeting support to people with autism and less visible disabilities and mental health conditions. Access to Work can even provide autism awareness training for your colleagues.

Examples of the kind of help available through Access to Work are:

• An advocate for a job interview, or at work, if you have communication difficulties.
• A support worker, if you need help organising your diary and dealing with paperwork.
• Specialist equipment (or alterations to existing equipment) to suit your particular sensory needs.
• Help towards the additional costs of taxi fares if you cannot use public transport to get to work.
• Mental health support.

The scheme is open to any person over 16 years of age, who has a disability or mental health condition that requires adaptations in the workplace, or financial or human support. You can access this scheme from the moment you have a letter inviting you to an interview , or a job offer, but you can also access this scheme once you are in work. You can still apply to the Access to Work scheme if you receive universal credit.

The cost of any support is covered entirely by the Access to Work scheme if you work on organisations employing less than 50 staff. For organisations over 50 staff the proportion the employer will have to pay will depend on the size of your organisation.

Why is this relevant?

Many people on the Autism Spectrum really don’t know much about this scheme and are amazed to find out what is out there and how it may work for them. You may think you do not need support at work because you are confident that you have the skills to perform it (i.e., you are very good at programming), but a job usually involves more than a series of job-related tasks, it also involves meeting deadlines, dealing with others, being exposed to last minute changes or being in sensory overwhelming environments. For those additional aspects, that may impact on your ability to complete your tasks, you may need some extra help, which can be provided by the Access to Work scheme.

How does it work?

You first need to apply by either phoning Access to Work directly, completing an application form or contacting your Occupational Health team (see details below). Once they receive your application, an advisor will phone you to discuss your support needs. It will help the advisor if you have specific suggestions of the support you may need, so immediately after you submit your application, or even before, write down all aspects of the job you may need support for. The advisor will then contact your employer to discuss a support plan for you. In some cases, the Access to Work advisor may visit your workplace to fully assess your needs. They will then prepare a report which will be shared with your employer. If you would like a copy you can contact your advisor, but be aware that you may not have the right to access this report.

Practical tips

• Before contacting the Access to Work team, think about your job, the tasks that you can and cannot do and how your autism may impact on your work.
• You can apply to Access to Work directly (see contact details below) or through your Occupational Health team.
• It is important you feel confident in expressing your views so that you get the most out of this process. To feel confident it helps preparing thoroughly before the workplace assessment so that the right support is put in place. If you think you may need help, you may ask a friend or relative or the Access to Work team.

Questions to think about

Before you meet with the Access to Work advisor you may want to consider asking yourself, or the person you support, the following questions:

• Do you have a job description of your role? Do you need to add anything relevant information? The advisor will need to know what your job entails, so overall duties and information about your day-to-day tasks may be useful.
• Do you have the contact details or your manager?
• What are the aspects of your job for which you feel you need support?
• Check the questions in the Arranging reasonable adjustments page for more questions you may want to consider before speaking to an advisor.

Additional information and links

• Genius within provides a step-by step guide on how to access the scheme.
• For more information about the Access to work scheme process please read the following article.
• You can contact Access to Work directly from their website: www.gov.uk/access-to-work or by telephone at: 0800 121 7479.

You may want to read after

• Arranging reasonable adjustments