Event DetailsPresenter;Yvonne BairdPresenter Contact Details :01786 432631Date;6 February 2013

*Department for Work & Pensions

Access to WorkAccess to Work was introduced in June 1994

Is a National Programme delivered by Department for Work and Pensions

To help overcome barriers that disabled people come across when moving onto or retaining employment.

Provides a grant to cover additional costs over and above the requirements of making reasonable adjustments which an employer is legally obliged to provide under the Equality Act 2010

A flexible programme that focuses on the needs of the individual.

*Department for Work & Pensions

Benefits of Access to WorkEncourages greater independence

Promotes work as being the best route to inclusion for disabled people

Enables disabled people to work on a more equal basis with non disabled colleagues

Encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people by offering practical help.

Provides advice to disabled people and their employers

*Department for Work & Pensions

April 2012 to September 2012 23,890 individuals were helped through Access to Work 18,930 were existing customers 4,960 were new customers

*Department for Work & Pensions

Social return on Investment

For every 1 spent on AtW the Exchequer recoups 1.48and the social return on the investment, which includes savings such as healthcare costs, is even higher

SOURCE: Getting in, staying in and getting on: Disability employment support fit for the future"

*Department for Work & Pensions

Customers helped by Access to Work April 12 June 12

Arms, Hands, Legs, feet, Back or Neck 4,780Stomach, Liver, Kidney or digestion 70Heart, Blood, Blood Pressure or circulation 190Chest or Breathing 100Progressive Illness 1,550Difficulty in Hearing / Speaking 4,400Difficulty in Seeing 4,090Learning Disability 1,330Dyslexia 2,410Epilepsy 890Diabetes 130Spina Bifida 90Mental Health Condition 640Cerebral Palsy 380 Total 23,890

*Department for Work & Pensions

EligibilityTypes Of Help

*Department for Work & Pensions

Eligibility CriteriaHave a disability or health condition that has a long term, adverse affect on their ability to carry out their job

Be over 16 years old

Be in, or about to start, paid employment (including self employment)

Live and work in Great Britain

Not be claiming Incapacity Benefit or ESA once they are in work (with the exception of higher permitted work)

*Department for Work & Pensions

Permitted WorkCustomers on Permitted Work Higher Level and Supported Permitted Work and Permitted Work PCA Exempt are eligible for Access to Work.

Support will be limited to a maximum of 52 weeks in line with Permitted Work Higher Level time limit.

After a 52 week break, customers can re apply for Access to Work support for a further 52 weeks.

Customers on Permitted Work Lower Level are not eligible.

*Department for Work & Pensions

Types Of HelpThere are seven main elements within Access to Work:

Special Aids and Equipment (SAE)

Adaptations to Premises and equipment (APE)

Travel to Work (TtW)

Travel in Work (TiW)

Support Worker (SW)

Communication Support at Interview (CSI)

Mental Health Support Service (MHSS)

*Department for Work & Pensions

Mental Health Support ServiceSupport is available for people with mental health conditions who are either:

Going into workAbsent from work as a result of a mental health conditionFinding work difficult as a result of a mental health condition

The support available from Access to Work includes:

An assessment of needsA personalised six month support plan, with detailed steps designed to keep a person in, or help them to return to workSignposting to relevant intervention and support services

This service is provided for Access to Work by Remploy

*Department for Work & Pensions

Examples of Mental Health SupportCoping strategiesThis could cover a range of strategies and will depend on the individuals job role, their condition and how this impacts their work. For example:Keeping a mood diary Using memory aids such as Mind Maps, checklistsRelaxation techniques when under pressureDeveloping a Wellbeing Recovery Action PlanCognitive Behavioural techniques

Reasonable adjustmentsDevelopment of Flexible working, phased return, etc.Putting in place a buddy or mentorTemporary reduction in targets or reallocationAdditional time to complete certain aspects of job roleRegular formalised 121 meetings to review concerns

*Department for Work & Pensions

Access to Work for Work Experience under the Youth ContractAvailable from 1 October 2012

For customers aged 16 to 24 Years

Resident in Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales)

All AtW Youth Contract Work Experience applications will be centralised

All AtW Youth Contract Work Experience applications must be made via a Jobcentre Plus Adviser

*Department for Work & Pensions

ApprenticeshipsPeople serving apprenticeships are eligible for AtW support as they receive a wage and have a contract of employment.

National Minimum Wage rates do not apply to people on apprenticeships.

If the apprentice stays with the same employer when qualified, cost sharing status will remain unchanged for the whole of the AtW period of three years from the beginning of the apprenticeship.

*Department for Work & Pensions

Work Programme / Work Choice RestrictionsCustomers on the Work Programme cannot access:

Job Aide / Job Coaches

Counsellors

Travel Buddy

Communication Support at Interview

Mental Health Support Service for customers who have Mental Health issues at the point of referral to Work Programme or Work Choice.

*Department for Work & Pensions

Mental Health Support Service for Work Programme / Work ChoiceMental Health Support Service for customers entering employment:

If the customers Mental Health issues were part of the reason for referral to Work Programme or Work Choice then it would be reasonable to expect the provider to continue to support the customer in continuing to overcome this potential barrier.

If the customer had no recent history of Mental Health when they started Work Programme or Work Choice then any problems that developed when they are in work can be addressed through the ATW contracted support.

*Department for Work & Pensions

Access to Work availability whilst on Work Choice / Work Programme

ElementCategoryAvailable Communication Support at InterviewNoTravel To WorkYesSupport WorkersBSL InterpreterYesCarerYesPersonal ReaderYesDriverYesPalantypistYesLip SpeakerYesNote TakerYesJob Aide / Job CoachNoCounsellorNoTravel BuddyNoAdaptations to Premises & EquipmentYesSpecials Aids & EquipmentYesMiscellaneous including Travel in WorkYes

*Department for Work & Pensions

Cost Sharing Financial Support

*Department for Work & Pensions

Access to Work Grants The level of grant will depend on:

Whether the applicant is employed or self employed

How long they have been in their job

The type of help required

The size of company they work for

Access to Work provides the grant with which to procure the support that is needed, it does not provide the support itself.

*Department for Work & Pensions

Cost Sharing

0 49 attract no cost share

50 249 - 500 Threshold and 20% of the costs thereafter

Over 250 - 1000 Threshold and 20% of the costs thereafter

Costs above 10,000 will normally be met by Access to Work

If there is a general business benefit a contribution will be sought in addition to any compulsory cost share

*Department for Work & Pensions

Who can Access to Work support?Claimants moving into employment

Claimants undertaking certain types of Permitted Work

Claimants about to start the mentoring phase of New Enterprise Allowance

Claimants commencing a Work Trial

Claimants about to start work experience under the Job Centre Youth Contract

Claimants taking part in Work Programme and Work Choice

*Department for Work & Pensions

How you can help us

Raise awareness with all Jobcentre Plus Staff

Increase work opportunities for disabled people

Embed Access to Work as part of the Advisers Toolkit

Raise the profile of Access to Work internally and externally

Work jointly with Access to Work to increase applications and Jobcentre Plus off flows

*Department for Work & Pensions

Case Studies

*Department for Work & Pensions

How to ApplyContact Details

*Department for Work & Pensions

How to ApplyDisabled employee makes the application

Telephone applications - Alternative arrangements can be made.

The Customer Service Team will check eligibility.

The form is then sent to the applicant for them to check, sign and return.

Once received, the application becomes active and is allocated to an Access to Work Adviser who will progress the application.

*Department for Work & Pensions

Access to Work Customer Journey

*Department for Work & Pensions

Further InformationFurther information about Access to Work can be found on the internet atwww.gov.uk/access-to-work Access to Work Factsheet Employers Guide to Access to Work

You can contact the Customer Service Team with any questions on:

Telephone: 020 8426 3110

Textphone: 020 8426 3133Email: atwosu.london@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

This presentation is intended to be a general guide to the principles underpinning the Access to Work programme and is not a full and authoritative statement of the law

Mandatory Cost sharing applies to applicants who are employed and have been in their job for more than six weeks when they apply for Access to Work

It applies only to Special Aids and Equipment (SAE) and Adaptations to Premises and Equipment (APE)

It does not apply to self employed applicantsAudience Jobcentreplus cluster teams