For 30 years, Access to Work has offered practical and financial support for anyone with a mental or physical health condition or disability who is seeking to start or stay in work – including those in the Armed Forces community. But many are still unaware of the government programme or are reluctant to ask for help. Tom Adam, Head of Service Development, looks at what’s available for veterans and families.
Help to stay in work
2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the introduction of Access to Work. This publicly funded grant programme is designed to help people with disabilities to stay in employment. Despite offering up to £66,000 per individual, many employers and veterans that we work with are unaware that they’re eligible for support.
People with long-term health conditions are less likely to be in employment. For some veterans this will be a choice, but many others that we speak to felt unable to continue in a role and haven’t returned to work, often for several years. Prevention is better than a cure. Helping people to remain in their job can make the biggest difference.
At The Poppy Factory, we have seen many success stories involving Access to Work across a range of civilian employers, in cases where someone may otherwise have left their role. When imagining what makes a workplace accessible, it’s easy to think of ramps and other adaptations for people with reduced mobility. Although those measures can be vital, there are many other hidden barriers that those with health conditions face. We know that these barriers can often be overcome with simple, practical solutions.
Wide variety of support
Access to Work might cover things like assistive software or a support worker for people who struggle to type or speak on the phone. Or it could help to pay for transport costs for someone who is unable to drive or use public transport because of their disability. Importantly, it can help the entire organisation to understand how best to support a colleague through disability awareness training on a specific topic such as hearing loss.
The variety of support available is remarkable. At The Poppy Factory, we’ve seen positive results for veterans and families in situations where it seemed impossible for someone to remain in their job. Examples include a mental health support worker being employed full-time to travel with an HGV driver. This support worker was also able to help with physical demands of the role, such as unloading. A care worker on strong medication was given funding for taxis after she could no longer drive, which was a critical requirement of her job.
An underused service
Access to Work is undoubtedly important, but we believe it is underused. There are several possible reasons for this, and a lack of awareness seems the most obvious. However, there may also be a reluctance to disclose a health condition to an employer. Within the Armed Forces community, only a small number of veterans seek help. The long-standing military culture of self-reliance and stoicism can prevent veterans from asking for more support after they leave service.
The assessment can sometimes be long, and evidence hard to provide. For employees who are already struggling, the motivation and energy to follow the Access to Work process to its conclusion is hard to find. There is also confusion around what’s on offer and who can access it, but through better promotion of the scheme within the Armed Forces community, veterans and their families can have increased choice.
Opportunity for employees and employers
Employers who have a good understanding of Access to Work can better support their staff. The help this programme provides is significant and each case is assessed individually. Access to Work case managers will work with the employee and employer to find the best solution.
We would encourage anyone who is struggling with a health condition at work to explore the support that may be available. Detailed information on eligibility and how to apply can be found at gov.uk/access-to-work
The Poppy Factory’s Veteran and Family Services team helps hundreds of veterans and family members each year to overcome barriers on their journey towards employment. Find out more at poppyfactory.org/support