Access to work
For people who are Disabled, Neurodivergent or have a health condition, navigating inaccessible workplaces while building and maintaining a career and serving your ambitions can be challenging.
A report from the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity shows that most Disabled people in the film, TV, and cinema industry have access needs, or require reasonable adjustments. However, research carried out by The Buckland Review of Autism Employment, shows that only one in five currently receive or have received support though Access to Work.
What is the Access to Work Scheme?
Access to Work is a government scheme that pays for extra support to help you start, stay in work, be able move into self-employment, or start a business. Support will accommodate your individual needs and ensure that the reasonable adjustments you need in order to do your job to the best of your ability are in place.
The scheme is well worth applying for – and for some can be life changing. Continue reading to find out more about Access to Work and how to apply.
How Access to Work Can Support You
Access to work offers a tailored package of support which is dependent on your specific case.
Access to Work offers a tailored package of support. This can include:
- Changes to the equipment you use
- Special equipment and software
- Fares to work, if you cannot use public transport
- A support worker to help you in your workplace, which can cover a mental health support worker, job aide, virtual assistants, sign-language interpreter, specialist coaching, travel buddy, and more
- A support service if you have a mental health condition and you are absent from work or finding it difficult to work
- Disability awareness training for your colleagues
- Someone to help you at a job interview
- The cost of moving your equipment if you change location or job
There is no set amount for an Access to Work grant. How much you get depends on your specific case. However, all new applications are subject to a maximum annual award limit of twice the national average salary which currently means a maximum of £79,726.
Access to Work and Benefits Rules
If you are on benefits you should check the rules around Access to Work and benefits. But getting a grant won’t affect any other benefits you receive, you wont need to re-pay it, nor does it count as taxable income. You or your employer may need to pay some costs upfront and claim them back later.
Note: if your Access to Work support package includes a support worker, you should be able to request their assistance with the claims process
If you’re an employee, before you apply for Access to Work you should also talk with your employer about what reasonable adjustments they can make to meet your access requirements.
Access to Work will not pay for reasonable adjustments, they are changes your employer must legally make to support you to do your job. However, they can provide specialist assessments to work out what is reasonable in your situation.
Through requesting reasonable adjustments and applying for Access to Work as an employee you are disclosing disability, however there is no obligation to share this information any further than your manager or on any official company monitoring system.
Identifying your access needs and asking for adjustments and support can be challenging. But learning to advocate for your needs is a powerful tool, and a vital way to ensure that both your career as well as your wellbeing are intact.
This support has been crucial on days when I felt too anxious to travel on public transport or when dealing with physical symptoms. Because of this I was able to join the team on projects which helped me from feeling isolated at home.Charlene Campbell, Senior development producer
Check Your Eligibility for Access to Work
Who Can Apply?
There are no conditions or impairments that are ineligible for Access to Work, if you face disabling barriers doing your job then you are eligible and entitled to help and support.
You must be 16 or over and be living in England, Scotland or Wales (the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not covered by Access to Work and there is a different service in Northern Ireland.
You can apply for Access to Work if you are in paid work (or be about to start or return to one) and this includes self-employment.
Fast-Track Applications for New Jobs
Note: If you apply for Access to Work before the first day of starting your job you're fast tracked through the system. If you apply on the first day or after, you go into the longer waiting queue.
- Read through Creative Diversity Network’s Access to Work guides for freelancers (PAYE and self-employed), employees & company directors and employers. They provide detailed information around eligibility and the application process, as well as useful documents and example forms. Disability Arts Online also provide a detailed Access to Work guide with template forms and accessible versions
- Connect with other Disabled people with a similar condition or relevant charities to get an idea of what to request
- As most Access to Work advisors will have little knowledge of our industry, take some time to think about how to best describe your work
- If you are a PAYE freelancer who mostly has short-term contracts your advisor may assign you with a Workplace Adjustment Passport and grants that you can ‘take with you’ to each contract. However, for some obtaining this can be a challenge. Reach out to support to get advice.
- Consider using an Access Rider or our Working Well With Me template to help you to articulate your situation to Access to Work assessors
- You can apply for Access to Work online or by phone. If you need the form in other formats, such as braille, large print or audio CD, call the Access to Work helpline (accessible options available, such as if you find phone calls difficult you can ask for all communication to be by email instead)
- Once you have applied, a Case Manager will contact you to discuss what help you could get. Once approved you can manage your grant online, including submitting claims
If you are facing any difficulties whilst applying for Access to Work, the claims process, having your claim reconsidered or anything else:
- You can get one-to-one support with your Access to Work claim from Decode - Disability Arts Online
- Find peer support from others in our industry who have navigated the system at Deaf & Disabled People In TV
- Disability charity, Scope UK offers more guidance and their online community may help with any questions you have about the application process
- If you require more assistance, you may be eligible for our Work and Wellbeing Advice Service, where an advisor can support you with applying
Real Stories: How Access to Work Transformed Lives
Without being able to talk through the form with the Film and TV Charity’s Work and Wellbeing Adviser, I would have got stuck and been unable to complete the Access to Work application.Anonymous, Producer/Business Owner (supported with needs relating to Autism and ADHD)
Additional resources
- Access to work: staff guide
- Top tips from Leonard Cheshire - Seven things everyone should know about Access to Work
