The Access to Work scheme

The government-run Access to Work scheme, administered by the Department of Work and Pensions, provides a financial grant to employers so that reasonable adjustments can be made to help disabled workers start or remain in a job, and to enable them to carry out the requirements of their jobs. The scheme provides financial help towards extra costs faced by disabled workers such as support workers, specialist aids and equipment and travel to work.

Changes to the scheme were announced in July 2013 and it now allows disabled people access to financial assistance for the first time to attend work academies, work trials, and take up supported internships and traineeships. A further positive change is that businesses with up to 49 employees can save up to £2,300 for each employee who uses the fund, as they are not required to pay a contribution toward the extra costs faced by disabled workers.

Figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions in October 2013 show that 22,760 disabled people were being supported through the Access to Work scheme between April and June 2013, an increase of 10% on the same period in 2012.

Reps can refer employers to the Access to Work scheme when negotiating a reasonable adjustment for a disabled worker. Further details of eligibility and terms of the scheme can be found at: www.gov.uk/access-to-work/overview