Access to Work

The Access to Work scheme provides personalised support and financial assistance for people with disabilities or health conditions. Support can cover a range of needs, including special equipment, travel expenses, or even a job coach. Through Access to Work you can also apply to get money for communication support at a job interview, e.g., a British Sign Language interpreter or a lip speaker.

To get support, you must:

• Have a physical or mental health condition or disability that means you need support to do your job or get to and from work
• Be over 16 years old
• Live and work in Wales, England, or Scotland
• Have a paid job or be about to start or return to one

Disability Confident Employer

Many employers in Cornwall are part of the Disability Confident scheme. This means they actively encourage diversity in the workplace, creating an inclusive environment for employees with disabilities or health conditions. When you are looking for work, look on adverts and application forms for the ‘disability confident’ symbol.

This symbol means:

• the employer is committed to employing disabled people.
• you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the basic conditions for the job

Support to Work

Scope provides a service called Support to Work which offers advice to disabled people applying for jobs. This is an online employment service supported with telephone, Skype or text.

It is open to disabled people who:

• are of working age
• are looking for paid work
• have access to the internet, telephone and email
• and live in England or Wales.

Scope experienced advisors can support customers with:

• employability skills
• CV guidance
• interview techniques.

Jobcentres

Your local Jobcentre can help you find a job or gain new skills and tell you about disability-friendly employers in your area.

They can also refer you to a specialist, if appropriate, or conduct an employment assessment asking you about:

• your skills and experience
• what kind of roles you are interested in

Your Jobcentre Work Coach can tell you about programmes and grants to help you back into work, like the Work and Health Programme and Personalised Employment Support.

The Work and Health Programme Pioneer service

Individuals may be eligible for Pioneer if they meet Work and Health Programme criteria and suitability and have a long-term health condition or disability.

You must commit to the goal of finding employment within 12 months​ and require support to help you secure employment. 

Pioneer is delivered by Seetec Pluss. 

• Support with job search, CVs and interviews. 
• Introductions to local employers. 
• Training and qualifications to help you back into work. 
• Build your confidence and overcome any challenges. 
• Financial support may be available to help with costs like travel and workwear.  

Mental Health Support

It is important to look after your mental health and ask for help when needed. If you are already in work and have a mental health problem, it is up to you whether you tell your manager and at what stage.

It can be a good idea to talk to your employer as early as possible about your situation.  They might be able to help support you quickly and throughout your mental health problem.

Employers have a 'duty of care'. This means they must do all they can to support your health, safety, and wellbeing. For example, some organisations offer counselling, mental health champions, groups, or training or advice on how to look after your mental health.

You can access free mental health support through the Access to Work Scheme. Able Futures can provide free confidential mental health support to people who are in work, including apprentices. Find out more and how to contact them at Able Futures.

NHS Mental Health Support Line.  If you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health, call the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 24/7 NHS mental health response line on 0800 038 5300. It is free to access by anyone, any age, any time, day, or night.

Supported Employment

Supported Employment is a way of providing assistance to people with a disability who need extra support to move towards and into work. Supported employment agencies work with people to help them:

• Find work
• Learn the skills needed to do a job
• Settle into a new job
• Learn how to travel to work

To find out more about Supported Employment in Cornwall contact United Response on 01872 250 150 or visit Cornwall - United Response

Visit our Proper Job Pages to learn more. 

Inclusive Apprenticeships

The Government has introduced Inclusive Apprenticeships. There are now more flexible requirements for Maths and English so that more people with learning disabilities can access an apprenticeship programme. 

You can use our job search to search for an apprenticeship opportunity or see our apprenticeship pages for more information.