Access to Work Grant

Survive

I have just been offered the Access to Work grant and have some questions. I will get back in touch with them to discuss, but in the mean time I’d be grateful if anyone can provide an insight or has any experience with this.

The advisor informed me that they will send me the decision in writing via post, with all the recommendations. In the meantime, they have emailed me a list of things they have recommended with quotes.

Here’s a list of things they have recommended:

1- Ergonomic Chair.

2- Standing Desk.

3- Support Worker (salaried or invoiced). I need to identify areas I need assistance with and then work out how many hours a week I would need this. I then need to get 3 quotes to get an idea of cost. There was a mention of ‘job replacement’ or ‘job enablement’ and this would impact the number of hours they will allow, depending on which applies. An assistant who is doing a ‘job replacement’ is limited to work for a maximum of 20% of my working hours.

4- Idea Mapper Pro (mind mapping software).

5- Training for Idea Mapper Pro.

6- Coping Strategy Sessions (6 x 3hrs).

7- Disability Impact Training (6x90mins).

8- Micro Break: Body and Mind (Health and wellbeing software).

9- Noise cancelling headphones.

10- Wireless keyboard and mouse.

11- Graphics Tablet.
12- 27 inch Mac Screen.

So here’s my questions:

1- I’m pretty clueless as to how to source a support worker and to get 3 quotes? How many hours would they provide for and what are the rates? I really struggle with admin tasks including planning, scheduling calls and meetings, scheduling work tasks, keeping a track of everything, social media scheduling and posting, taking notes during meetings, finances, basically anything related to administrative work.

I run a photography and filming business. I’m really creative and can deliver stunning results, but all the structural work behind the scenes is what I really struggle with.

Due to these struggles, the business has been severely impacted as I’m not able to provide a reliable service. Even my social media is pretty much dormant and in this industry, social media is one of the most important aspects for success. I now have to quantify it all and work out how many hours of support I would need. Not really sure where to look as I’ve never employed anyone before.

2- Do I have to buy the actual chair or table they recommend, or can I have a look at other options? I would prefer to physically sit on a chair and test for comfort, etc before purchasing it from an online supplier. I have chronic pains in specific areas, without physically testing the chair I would't know if it's suitable.

3- I wanted to get an ADHD coach, as I think it would be beneficial for me. Can I request it? Are the recommended training sessions any good?

4- Can I upgrade the headphones, as I work in video production and it’s essential to my work? They have offered some basic ones, that would not be sufficient for video production.

Thank you in advance!

Alex_Alumni

Hello there @Survive and welcome to the community, thanks for posting your query, and explaining everything for us. 

Employing a support worker can be a pretty daunting especially if it's not something you've dome before. Hopefully your Access to Work advisor can help guide you through the process, you'll have to let us know how things go when you discuss it further with them. 

If it helps Scope has information on Employing a PA which you might find useful, although it is in the context of day to day care at home, rather than in the workplace.

You can also visit Support for Care's information hub for employing your own support and care, which includes video guides as well as word documents. 

Workplace Personal Assistant also has guidance that is worth having a look at. I hope these resources can help answer your first query.

I think to answer your other questions, these are ones to put to your advisor. There's absolutely no harm in asking for things you feel would be better suited to you and your needs- that's what Access for Work is designed for.

Remember, the list you've shared is only their recommendations, nothing is set in stone yet One of our volunteer's @JaneC_ might also have some thoughts to share with you about this, and I hope some of our other members can share their experiences too. 

If you feel we can help with anything further in the meantime, please do ask, and we'll do what we can to help.

Alex

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Survive

I can see that Alex has left some fantastic advice and resources for you above

I wanted to check in and see how you are? Also, to ask if you have managed to voice those questions you mentioned to Access to Work?