Employment Support | Access To Work (ATW)

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What is Access to Work?

We understand that acquiring and then maintaining a job, whether that be full-time or part-time, can be difficult. Here at Complete Communication, we aim to work with our clients to support them on their employment journey and provide them with a high-quality service whilst in employment.

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Aimed at supporting deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people to take up and remain in work, Access to Work (ATW) is a government programme that offers support based on your needs, which may include a grant to help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace, as well as specialist equipment and software.

Eligibility

To be eligible for help from Access to Work, you must:

Have a disability, long-term health condition or a mental health condition that makes it difficult for you to complete your tasks at work
Be aged 16 or over
Live in England, Scotland or Wales – The system in Northern Ireland is different
You must be about to start a job or work trial, or already in a paid job or self-employed. Unfortunately, you can’t get a grant for voluntary work.

It is important to note that ATW is separate from other awards and benefits and does not impact these.

What Support is Available?

You can access a wide range of support through Access-To-Work, including but not limited to:



Communication Support

Including:

BSL/English Interpreters
Specialist Notetakers
Lipspeakers
Speech To Text Reporters (STTR)
Support Work



Practical Support

Including:

Time management
Diary management
Notetaking for meetings
Organising meetings
Email organisation
Physical support



Job Coaching

Including:

Time management techniques
Workplace strategies
Assistance with work/life balance
Organisational techniques
And more…



Training

Including:

Awareness training for your workplace, such as Deaf Awareness Disability Awareness.
Training in software and equipment provided by ATW such as Grammarly, CaptionEd, Remark and others.



Mental Health Support

Including:

You can access support for your mental health, such as coaching.



Equipment

Including:

Access To Work also provides Specialist Equipment to support you in your role, such as screen readers, captioning and dictation software, headphones, keyboards and ergonomic desk chairs.
They will also fund training on the allocated equipment, which our expert team is able to deliver.

The amount provided by an Access-To-Work grant varies, as it is tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. However, there is an annual cap on the grant amount. For instance, for grants awarded between 8 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, the cap was set at £69,260 per year.

The Access to Work Journey

Step 1

The Application

The first step of the ATW process is to apply via the online application form. The form will ask for details about you, your role, and the support you require. The online application usually takes between 20-40 minutes.

Step 2

Your Case Worker

Once you have submitted your initial application, there is a waiting period of 12-24 weeks. Within this time period, you will be assigned a case worker, who will contact you via email. They will be your main point of contact throughout the process.

Step 3

Workplace Assessment

Once they have allocated you a case worker, they will ask you to book a ‘Workplace Assessment’. This sounds very scary, but it is a chance for your case worker to talk to you to better understand your needs, and to ensure you are granted the right support. These assessments can take place in-person, over the phone, or via an online meeting.

Step 4

Provide Evidence

After the assessment, you may be required to provide evidence to support your case. You do not need a medical diagnosis to be eligible for ATW. However, they may ask for any diagnostic reports or letters from your doctor/GP.

Step 5

Grant Awarded

Once they have looked into the assessment and the evidence provided, you will have your grant provided! If you are not happy with your awarded support, you can dispute this with ATW. If you are happy with it, you can begin utilising your support!

Step 6

Choose your Supplier

You will then need to decide who you want to provide your support! Once you have a chosen supplier you can start accessing your support straight away.

Why Us?

At Complete Communication, we understand how important it is to navigate the Access-To-Work process smoothly and effectively. That’s why we offer free, no-obligation support from start to finish, ensuring you have the guidance you need every step of the way.

We specialise in the following areas but are committed to providing high-quality support in every area of employment.

The Arts
Self-Employment
Communication Support

Here’s what you’ll get from working with us:

Comprehensive Support Throughout the Process

From your initial application to grant approval, we’re here to help.

We can assist you in completing the online application, ensuring that it is not overwhelming and that you can get the most out of the grant.

We will then be on hand to help you communicate with Access To Work throughout the entire process. Whether you need help responding to emails or getting quotes for your support, we can help.

A member of the team can join your workplace assessment to ensure you feel supported.

If you are not happy with the grant you receive, we will assist in disputing this with Access To Work to ensure your needs are met.

Once you receive a grant you are happy with, we can help you understand how to best utilise your budget and how to implement support as smoothly as possible.

Hassle-Free Service Management

Once your support is approved, we take care of everything. By choosing us as your supplier, you’ll benefit from our end-to-end service, including:

Booking the support services you need

Managing all invoices and payments

Keeping track of your budget to ensure you don’t over or under-spend

Liaising with Access to Work about funding and updates

All you need to do is let us know what support you require—we’ll handle the rest!

With our expertise and dedication to making the process as straightforward as possible, you can focus on what truly matters while we take care of the details. Choose Complete Communication for stress-free Access to Work support.

Did you know?

This support would usually cost anywhere between £1500 and £2000. However, we offer this end-to-end support free of charge as part of our Social Values to ensure that every applicant has the best chance at receiving the support they deserve to achieve their best!

Book a consultation with us!

If you are interested in the Access-To-Work scheme but want to know more, why not book a free consultation with a member of our team?

Following the consultation, the team will be at hand for you to contact us throughout the entire process.

To find out more about the Access to Work scheme and what support is available to you or to book a consultation, please complete our contact form, and a member of the team will be in touch.

Hear from our Clients

Hear directly from some of our clients how the support from Complete Communication has impacted their working life!

Sally Agobiani (Dyslexia Assessor /Councellor)

Complete Independence could not have been more helpful, understanding and supportive. It is such a relief to have found them and their support enables me to be more effective in my work and less stressed. Thank you

Jane McGibbon (Executive Producer)

The support I receive from Complete Independence has really helped me to work more efficiently and to lead our team with confidence, knowing that the details are being taken care of and that nothing will be missed.

BSL/English Interpreter

Having my support worker has been a game changer for me. It has reduced the administrative stress that prevents me from focusing on a show and means I have time to breathe! I would urge anyone who is eligible for the support to utilise it as it has made a massive difference to my day-to-day life.

Managing Director

Having my support worker allows me time to be present in my role, without worrying that I have forgotten something or that I have a million other things to be doing. Not only does it help massively with practical aspects of my role, but it gives me the brain space to be able to be creative and engage with my team, which is invaluable.