Access to Work is a UK government grant scheme designed to help people with disabilities or health conditions, including ADHD, get or stay in employment.
Run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the grant is not means-tested and is tied to your job rather than your household income, meaning you can receive support regardless of your earnings or savings.
The best part - You do not need a formal diagnosis to apply; the scheme is available to those who are self-diagnosed, waiting for a diagnosis, or officially diagnosed.
The grant can cover a wide range of workplace support, including specialist equipment, assistive software, travel costs, and mental health support. For individuals with ADHD, the scheme frequently funds one-to-one coaching, which typically consists of 12 to 20 sessions. This coaching is designed to help you develop coping strategies, improve organisation and time management, and manage stress or burnout. You can also apply for funding for support workers, such as virtual assistants, to help with tasks like diary management and attention to detail.
Eligibility is based on the definition of disability in the Equality Act 2010, which requires a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to perform normal daily activities. ADHD is considered a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, so it meets the long-term criteria, and the substantial effect is assessed based on your individual experience. The scheme covers employees, the self-employed, and those with a written job offer, provided you work at least one hour a week at minimum wage.
The application process involves an assessment of your specific needs and a discussion with an Access to Work advisor.
The level of funding varies depending on your case worker and the specific recommendations from your workplace assessment. However, the support is fully funded by the government, and you are not expected to pay for the agreed-upon support yourself.
Apply here via Gov.uk
I am so excited to be an accepted Access to Work provider, and I work with clients funded through this scheme to help them navigate their workplace challenges.
If you are looking for support, I also work alongside Laura, who accepts clients through the Access to Work scheme. This means that whether you are seeking guidance from me, you can access specialist coaching fully funded by the government to help you thrive in your career.
Fill in the form below to get started with coaching with The Weird Sisters Society.