Navigating the world as a neurodivergent person can be tricky. Too often, our experience of the workplace is far from a level playing field. The purpose of Access to Work (AtW) funding is to level the playing field so that we can thrive at work. Check out my checklist for ways to make the application process go more smoothly. Remember, adjustments are a fundamental right under the Equality Act 2010, and AtW supports provide one of the mechanisms to make those rights real.
Through practical support, the grant helps people with disabilities including neurodivergent conditions like ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia, remain in work, as well as those wanting to get into work, and those who are moving into self-employment. This may be with a combination of specialist equipment and assistive software, support workers (i.e. coaches, virtual assistants, travel buddies, job aides, BSL interpreters etc.) and/or mental-health-at-work support.
So, whether you’re a late-diagnosed adult living with a condition such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, or have a physical disability or a hidden disability, AtW funding is probably something you should consider applying for.
All too often, clients report feeling guilty about asking for this support, citing examples of people ‘worse off than them’ or that they feel they are ‘making a mountain out of a molehill’. AtW is available to anyone who meets the criteria, regardless of their earning capacity or level of need. It is not a special favour, it is not cheating, it is a legitimate, structured government scheme for all eligible people. Coaching and adjustments are not ‘nice to haves’, they are the foundations of inclusion, designed to make sure you have the same opportunity to succeed as anyone else.
For the purposes of this article, the AtW scheme offers a practical route to coaching, and I work with clients funded in this way because it means that, through neuro-affirming coaching, self-care and sustainable change become a real possibility.
Who is eligible?
The core eligibility criteria are:
- Aged 16 or over
- Living and working (or about to work) in England, Scotland or Wales
- In paid employment, self-employed, about to start or return to paid work within the next 12 weeks (this includes apprenticeships, internships, work trials)
- Your condition or impairment means you need extra support to do your job or travel to work, beyond what an employer’s ‘reasonable adjustments’ alone would cover
Importantly, you do not need a formal diagnosis to apply; what matters to the assessors is how your condition impacts you in the workplace, even if you work from home.
Accessing this grant does not affect any other benefits you get, and you will not have to pay it back.
In short: if your condition means you need extra support to work, then AtW may be relevant to you. Quite a few of my clients come through the AtW route, and I am happy to talk to you about this process.
What are the benefits of using Access to Work for coaching
Working with a neuro-affirming coach provides practical, tailored support to help you recognise your strengths and expand their use in your daily work life, while also building sustainable strategies for those areas where you experience challenges. Ultimately, coaching aims to build confidence, reduceing the likelihood of burnout and creating opportunities for you to think about your personal growth in your place of work.
The AtW grant means:
- Coaching becomes accessible rather than optional; you can invest without financial anxiety
- You can reframe coaching as a reasonable adjustment and a part of sustainable self-care, helping you live and work well, not just get by
- You can investe in adaptive strategies now to avoid a crisis later. For my late-diagnosed clients, the gains from neuroinclusive coaching are huge
Is there anything I should do before I apply?
I have created a checklist because there are a few really important steps worth doing before you apply. It is tempting just to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible, but taking a bit of time to think through these will definitely increase your chances of success.