Introduction: Turning Support into a Competitive Edge
The Access to Work (AtW) grant is one of the UK government's most valuable, yet often misunderstood, tools for neurodiverse professionals and graduates. It’s not a benefit; it's a discretionary grant designed to remove disability-related barriers in the workplace, ensuring you can start or stay in work and perform at your best.
For Diversity Lock candidates, leveraging AtW is a crucial part of building sustainable career resilience, as the grant can fund the specialist coaching and mentoring you need to succeed.
1. What is the Access to Work Grant?
The AtW grant provides funding for practical support if you have a disability or long-term physical or mental health condition that affects your ability to do your job. The support must be related to your condition and go beyond the "reasonable adjustments" your employer is legally required to make (under the Equality Act 2010).
Who is Eligible?
You can apply if you:
Are 16 or over.
Live in England, Scotland, or Wales.
Are in paid employment (full-time or part-time), about to start a job, returning to work, or self-employed.
Are not applying for support for voluntary work.
Crucially, you do not need to be receiving any other benefits to apply.
What Can AtW Fund?
The grant funds services and equipment tailored to your specific needs, such as:
Specialist Equipment: Assistive technology, specialist software (e.g., text-to-speech), or ergonomic furniture.
Support Workers: Funds for a job coach, support worker, or specialist neurodiversity mentor/coach (like the services offered by Diversity Lock).
Travel Costs: Additional costs of traveling to and from work if you cannot use public transport due to your condition.
Communication Support: Interpreters or communicators for interviews or meetings.
Mental Health Support: A separate, dedicated Mental Health Support Service is available via Access to Work.
2. Your Most Valuable Asset: Neurodiversity Coaching
For neurodiverse candidates (e.g., Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia), the most powerful element of the AtW grant is the funding for specialist coaching and mentoring.
This is vital because coaching provides tailored, one-on-one strategies to address executive function challenges that equipment alone cannot solve. A coach can help you:
Develop personalized time management and organizational systems.
Navigate communication challenges with your manager and team.
Create coping strategies for sensory or social overload in the workplace.
Build confidence in self-advocacy and professional goal setting.
Crucially: AtW currently covers 100% of the approved costs for specialist coaching, regardless of the size of your employer. This is a major opportunity for investment in your long-term career success.
3. Step-by-Step: How to Apply
The application process is managed by the individual, not the employer.
Step 1: Contact the Access to Work Helpline
You must apply before incurring any costs.
You can apply online via the GOV.UK website or by phone. You will need your National Insurance number and the contact details of your employer (or confirmation that you are self-employed).
Step 2: The Assessment
An AtW advisor (or assessor) will contact you, often by phone, to discuss how your condition affects you at work and what support you need.
Preparation is Key: Clearly define the specific tasks you struggle with and the exact support you believe will help. For instance, clearly state why a neurodiversity coach is necessary and what goals you hope to achieve (e.g., “I need 12 weeks of coaching to implement systems for task prioritization and complex project breakdown.”)
Step 3: Receive the Funding Decision
AtW will issue a decision letter (known as an 'Award Letter') detailing the approved support, the total grant amount, and the duration of the award (often 12 months, renewable up to 3 years).
Act Fast: The letter will detail how to claim the money. You then select and hire your support provider (like a coach or a mentor) and purchase the recommended equipment.
Step 4: Claiming the Money
Generally, you or your employer pays for the support upfront, and then you submit evidence (invoices and receipts) to AtW for reimbursement.
If your employer is contributing to equipment costs (typically for larger companies), they will handle the payment and claim the money back.
Reminder: The grant pays for support that you and your employer procure—it does not provide the support itself. This is why having providers like Diversity Lock is essential.