Reasonable Adjustments including Access to Work
Reasonable adjustments
We want to become a pro-equity organisation; one where everyone who works for the Trust is supported to be the best that they can be. Where everyone feels included, valued and has a sense of belonging. Accordingly, we want to ensure that workplace adjustments are available to those who need them, and at the right time.
Reasonable adjustments are changes to the work environment or practices that help individuals work safely and effectively. These might relate to the physical working environment, equipment, or flexible ways of working. Although aimed at supporting disabled colleagues our reasonable adjustments guidance is also used to support others working within the Trust in a variety of roles such as volunteers, students, apprentices, and those on work placements.
If you're invited to interview for a role in our organisation, you'll have the opportunity to request any adjustments you may need to take part fully in the process.
If you're offered a role, we'll continue the conversation to make sure the right support is in place for you from the start.
Access to Work
Access to Work is an external organisation, which is part of the Department of Work and Pensions. Its purpose is to support disabled people in the workplace and enable them to reach their full potential through assessment and funding.
Access to Work supports staff with disabilities and long-term conditions who are:
- in paid employment or self-employed
- about to start employment (applications are accepted 12 weeks before starting a role)
- in need of help at a job interview with an employer
- about to start a Work Trial
- about to start a Department for Education supported internship or traineeship
- about to start a self-arranged work experience or young person's work experience
- serving an apprenticeship
Access to Work recognises that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment and/or difference. Barriers can be physical, or they can be caused by people's attitudes to difference, like assuming disabled people can't do certain activities within the workplace. This approach helps Access to Work recognise barriers that make life harder for disabled people. Removing these barriers creates equity and offers disabled people more independence, choice, and control. In some cases, this may mean only slight adjustments to the working environment.
There are different elements of Access to Work, including:
- Communication Support at Interview
- Travel to Work, including Travel in Work
- Support Worker
- Adaptations to Premises and Equipment
- Special Aids and Equipment
Access to Work doesn't replace our responsibility to make reasonable adjustments, but it can help with additional costs. If you've had adjustments in the past that worked well, you can share this during the recruitment process so we can explore how best to support you. If further support is needed, you can apply directly to Access to Work.
You can apply directly via the government website: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK.
Support can be accessed at any point during your employment, however to maximise funding, applications should ideally be made as soon as you receive your letter of appointment.