Access to Work

Clear Links support workers are available nationwide

Clear Links supports thousands of disabled people in education and in the workplace every year. User satisfaction has consistently been at or above 99% in the past three years. This support can be funded by the Access to Work programme or by an employer. If you have a physical or mental health condition and in employment you may be eligible for support.

Disabled interns and trainees benefiting from a Department for Education (DfE) supported internship programme or BIS traineeship may also qualify for Access to Work funding.

This page contains information about our Access To Work Service and how it can support disabled people with their skills, confidence and independence in the workplace.

Who is it for?

Access to Work offers financial assistance to employers to cover the full cost of providing a support worker in the workplace. If you are an employer and looking for further information regarding Access to Work support for one of your employees, please contact us.

Self-employed people or people considering setting up a business may also be entitled to Access to Work support.

Eligibility criteria are set by the Department for Work and Pensions and can be found on the gov.uk website.

What support is available?

Role	Purpose
Job Coaching	Workplace coaching for individuals experiencing difficulties developing in their role. Support is tailored to individual learning styles and needs and to the requirements of the employer and job role.
Counselling	Allowing service users to talk though and develop strategies for emotional issues.
Mental Health Support	Working with people with a Mental Health Condition, assisting them to recognise barriers to work and provide strategies to develop their skills in the management of the impact of the condition or impairment.
Specific Learning Differences Support	Working with people with a Specific Learning Difference, assisting them to recognise barriers to work and provide strategies to develop their skills in the management of the impact of the condition or impairment.
Autism Spectrum Condition	Working with people with an Autism Spectrum Condition, assisting them to recognise barriers to work and provide strategies to develop their skills in the management of the impact of the condition or impairment.
Coping Strategy Training	Working with people to assist them to recognise barriers to work and provide strategies to develop their skills in the management of the impact of the condition or impairment.
Disability Impact Training	Working with people to assist them to recognise barriers to work and provide strategies to develop their skills in the management of the impact of the condition or impairment.

They can also be helpful to facilitate dialogue with the employer about specific aspects of a particular condition or impairment. This can make the integration of the new worker easier and make transitional issues manageable for both the employer and the employee.

How can I get this support?

Providing you are eligible, you can apply for Access to Work by following this link:

https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

Or by telephone:

You should work with your employer to determine the most appropriate steps to take. Should you be unsure as to which support is most suitable for your circumstances, please contact us or contact your Job Centre Plus adviser who will be able to assist you.

If you are a student in Further or Higher Education considering a DfE supported internship or a BIS Traineeship, contact your Disability Advisor or Careers Service at your university or college for more details.

You can also find further information here:

I am a disabled worker

I am a student considering a supported internship or traineeship

I am an employer of a disabled worker

To have a chat with us, please contact us below.