Access To Work Support
Job and workplace coaching
Practical coaching in the role itself, funded through the scheme rather than out of a department’s budget.
Coping strategy training
Strategies for managing a condition at work, developed with a specialist and applied to the actual job.
Mental health support
Specialist support for employees with a mental health condition. No formal diagnosis is needed to access it.
Eligibility
Who can use Access to Work
Access to Work is a UK government scheme (opens in a new tab) providing funding for workplace support for employees with a disability or mental health condition.
- In work, or starting work within 12 weeks
- A mental health condition or disability affecting their work
- No formal diagnosis needed for mental health support
- Funding covers coaching, training, support and adjustments
How Access to Work works
Four steps, and UMO can support employees and employers at each of them.
02
Speak to an adviser
An Access to Work adviser discusses the role, the barriers and what support might help.
03
Decision and funding
A decision is issued along with the funding allocated for the agreed support.
04
Choose a provider
The employee selects a provider such as UMO, and support begins.
The wait is the problem
Support can start before the funding does
The gap between applying and being approved is where employees often struggle most, and where employers lose people.
UMO can begin support early, helping employees prepare for Access to Work and reducing delays, then continue seamlessly once funding is in place. We work with employees, employers and assessors so provision matches the recommendations made.
What UMO delivers through the scheme
Specialist workplace support, structured and tailored to the individual and their role.
Job coaching
Practical support in the role, aligned with the recommendations made at assessment.
Coping strategy training
Managing mental health and wellbeing at work, with strategies that fit the job.
Disability awareness support
Helping the workplace as well as the employee understand what helps.
Neurodiversity strategies
Approaches for ADHD, autism and other neurodiverse conditions at work.
Organisation and workload
Improving organisation, communication and workload management.
Confidence and independence
Building the confidence to sustain the role without ongoing intervention.
What each side gains
The scheme is designed so that funded support works for the employee and for the organisation.
For employers
Reduced cost through Access to Work funding, support started earlier, better retention and performance, and structured provision rather than ad hoc arrangements.
For employees
Funded specialist support, practical workplace strategies, improved confidence and independence, and consistency rather than a series of one-off conversations.
Quality and safeguarding
Delivered by qualified professionals with structured support, safeguarding and risk management, and ongoing supervision and CPD.
Joined-up workplace support
Access to Work provision connects with what an organisation already has, so an employee does not have to keep explaining themselves.
GOV.UK: Access to WorkOfficial guidance on the scheme, eligibility and what funding covers.(opens in a new tab) Apply for Access to WorkThe application itself, on the government website.(opens in a new tab) OneSpace PassportOptional workplace wellbeing and adjustments passport, creating continuity and reducing repeated disclosure.(opens in a new tab)
Questions about Access to Work
Answers for employees applying and for the employers supporting them.
Eligibility and applying
Who is eligible?
Employees in work, or starting work within 12 weeks, who have a mental health condition or disability affecting their work.
Is a diagnosis required?
Not for mental health support. Employees do not need a formal diagnosis to access it.
Who applies: the employee or the employer?
The employee applies through the government website. UMO can support both parties through the process.
Can we choose our provider?
Yes. Once funding is allocated, the employee selects a provider such as UMO.
Delivery
Can support start before approval?
Yes. UMO can begin early, helping the employee prepare for Access to Work and reducing delays.
What support is available?
Job coaching, coping strategy training and disability awareness support, tailored to the individual and their role.
Does it fit with our existing provision?
It can link with workplace adjustments and HR processes, internal wellbeing or EAP provision, and optionally the OneSpace Passport.
Who delivers it?
Qualified professionals working with structured support, safeguarding and risk management, and ongoing supervision and CPD.
Get started with Access to Work
UMO supports employees and organisations before application, during assessment and after approval.