Access to Work is a government programme aimed at supporting disabled people to take up or remain at work. Access to Work is a discretionary grant scheme that provides personalised support to disabled people who are:
To find out more about this scheme you can take a look at the Disability Rights UK website here.
If you are disabled or have a physical and/or mental health condition that can make it challenging for you to do your job, you can do one of the following things:
In this blog you will find key information about access when working but if you would like to read about it in more detail about how you can access your workplace then click here.
Your employer must make certain changes - which are known as ‘reasonable adjustments’ - to make sure you’re not at a disadvantage when doing your job. These adjustments can include changing your working hours or providing equipment to help you do your job. You should always speak to your employer before applying for an Access to Work grant.
Find out more information about reasonable adjustments here.
If your employer has made reasonable adjustments for you and you find you need additional help, you can get help from an Access to Work grant.
In order to be eligible to receive a grant, you need to have a paid job or be about to start or return to one.
You’ll be offered support based on your needs which may include a grant to help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace. An Access to Work grant can pay for:
You may not get a grant if you already get certain benefits, but if you do, the money does not have to be paid back and will not affect your other benefits you receive from the organisation you work for.
If you would like to apply for an Access to Work grant click here.
Access to Work grants are different for those who live in Northern Ireland. If you would like to know more about this support click here.
If you need mental health support you can apply for a grant to help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace, or getting to and from work including:
Take a look at our blog ‘What support is there for mental health in theatre’ here.
You can get confidential support and advice from a trained healthcare professional from the Mental Health Support Service. You do not need to have a diagnosed condition to use the service and you do not have to get an Access to Work grant to get support from the Mental Health Support Service, however you must be eligible. Find out if you’re eligible here.
You cannot get an Access to Work grant to pay for:
Ensure you know your rights at work and what is available to you. Read carefully through your contract of employment which you’ll receive a copy of when you begin your job at that company. Access is a basic right and requirement that is constantly changing and improving the theatre industry and allows it to grow.
https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/eligibility
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/employment-support-information
https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply
https://www.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-workers
https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/access-work
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Published 2 January 2020