Access to Work is a UK government scheme that may help fund practical support for people who have a disability, health condition, mental health condition or neurodivergent support needs that affect them at work.

The support is not based on having a diagnosis alone. It is about how your needs affect you in the workplace and what support may help you do your job, stay in work or manage work-related barriers more effectively.

Access to Work may fund practical workplace support depending on your individual needs and what the Department for Work and Pensions agrees.

This can include things such as workplace strategy coaching, mentoring, assistive technology, support workers, communication support, travel-related support, equipment or workplace adjustments. The support agreed will depend on your role, your needs and the impact these have on your work.

Access to Work decides what they will and will not fund. Flourish with Neurodiversity can provide information about our services, but we cannot decide what funding you will receive.

Yes, where we have availability, we can support you with completing your Access to Work application.

Appointments are up to one hour. Before the appointment, you will be sent pre-information by email. It is important that you complete this before your appointment, as it helps speed up the process and allows us to use the time effectively.

The appointment will usually take place over the phone. We will guide you through the form, ask you questions about your work and support needs, and type the form using your answers.

Access to Work is not just about diagnosis. It is about your support needs and how these affect you at work.

You may be asked to explain the barriers you experience in your job, what tasks are difficult, what support may help and how this support would make work more manageable. A diagnosis can be helpful for some people, but the application focuses on the practical impact of your needs in the workplace.

No. We cannot guarantee any Access to Work outcome.

The decision is made by Access to Work and the Department for Work and Pensions. They decide whether your application is approved, what support is funded, how much funding is awarded, how many sessions are agreed and whether coaching or workplace support is included.

We can support you with information and application preparation, but we cannot guarantee approval, funding amounts, timescales or the type of support agreed.

Access to Work waiting times can be long. In some cases, the wait may be eight months or more.

Timescales are outside our control. Access to Work and the Department for Work and Pensions manage the application, assessment, decision-making and funding process. We cannot speed up their decision or guarantee when you will hear back.

After you apply, Access to Work or the Department for Work and Pensions may contact you for more information. You may also receive a workplace assessment phone call as part of the process.

Access to Work will then decide what support, if any, they are willing to fund. Once you receive your decision or award information, please check it carefully so you understand what has been agreed, how much funding is available, what dates it covers and whether there are any conditions.

If you decide you would like to use Flourish with Neurodiversity for your funded support, please let us know. We can send you an Access to Work proposal to forward to your case manager. Access to Work funded prices are different from private prices, so it is important that the correct proposal is used.

No. There is no obligation to have coaching or support with Flourish with Neurodiversity if we help you with your Access to Work application.

You are free to choose whether you would like to access support with us, another provider or not proceed with coaching. If Access to Work funding is agreed and you do want to work with us, we may ask to see your award letter before sessions begin so we can check what support has been approved, the funded rate, the number of sessions or hours and any invoicing requirements.

Before your appointment, you will be sent pre-information by email. It is important that you complete this before your appointment, as it helps us understand your situation and makes the appointment more focused and efficient.

It can be helpful to think about your job role, the tasks you find difficult, the barriers you experience at work, any support you already receive, and what support you feel may help. You may also want to have your employer details, job title, working hours and any relevant information about your condition, disability or support needs available.

The more information you can provide beforehand, the easier it is for us to guide you through the form and help you explain your workplace support needs clearly.

Access to Work may ask you to provide a quote or proposal for the support you would like to use.

If you decide you would like to use Flourish with Neurodiversity, please let us know. We can send you an Access to Work proposal to forward to your Access to Work case manager.

Access to Work funded prices are different from private prices, so it is important that you request the correct proposal before sending information to your case manager. Sending the correct proposal helps make sure the support, pricing and service details are clear.

Access to Work funded coaching or support usually starts once your award has been agreed and we have received the relevant award information.

Before sessions begin, we may ask to see your Access to Work award letter or written confirmation of funding. This helps us check what support has been approved, the number of hours or sessions agreed, the funded rate, the grant period and any invoicing requirements.

Please do not assume that support is funded until Access to Work has confirmed this. If you choose to start sessions before funding is agreed, or if funding is later refused, reduced or delayed, you may be responsible for paying for any sessions booked or delivered.

Access to Work funded sessions are subject to our standard cancellation and non-attendance terms unless we agree otherwise in writing.

If you cancel late, do not attend, or are unavailable for a booked session, the session may still be chargeable. Access to Work may not agree to fund missed, late-cancelled or unused sessions.

If Access to Work does not pay for a missed or cancelled session that is chargeable under our terms, you may be responsible for paying the invoice directly. Please give as much notice as possible if you need to rearrange a session.