March has been a very full month.
I’ve spent much of it travelling, getting out of my “office” (i.e. house), and into rooms with other people. That has included conferences, roundtables and sector events, and a lot of conversations with both new and familiar faces.
I am someone who really enjoys that side of the work. Being in different environments, having in-person conversations and hearing directly from others about their experiences always adds depth to my understanding of how Access to Work is functioning in practice.
There is, of course, a cost.
Travel, long days, and multiple events inevitably mean increased fatigue, and I did manage to pick up a cold at Naidex. But for me, it is still worth it. One of the benefits of being self-employed is the flexibility to pace and recover afterwards, and to build in overnight stays where possible to make things more manageable.
Alongside that, I attended my first Work and Health Policy Forum session with the Business Disability Forum. The focus was on disadvantage and flexible working, an area I had not previously engaged with in much depth. It was a useful reminder that while not all workplace changes are disability-specific, many of them contribute to more inclusive working environments.
A big personal milestone this month has been finally getting the Access to Work Practitioner Network up and running. This is something I intended to launch before Christmas, but had put off. With a bit of external accountability, I sat down and got it done. The first session is at the end of April, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it develops.
It has also, finally, started to feel like spring. We’ve had some genuinely sunny, even warm days, and I can feel the shift in energy both personally and at home. It is a small thing, but it makes a difference.
Quick tips
1. Build flexibility into your award from the start
If you need flexibility in how you use your support, make this clear when applying or requesting a renewal.
This is particularly relevant if:
- your workload fluctuates
- your condition fluctuates
- you use taxi support or a Support Worker (including BSL support)
Access to Work can allow flexibility in how support is used across a period, but this needs to be set up correctly on your case.
For example, if you are awarded 10 hours per week of Support Worker support, you may be able to use more in one week and less in another. However, this flexibility applies to hours, not to hourly rates.
If flexibility is not built in at the start, it can make managing your support much more difficult later on.
2. Tell Access to Work when you send documents
If you are sending documents by post, for example, for a reconsideration request, let Access to Work know.
Decisions can sometimes be made before posted evidence has been received and processed. Making them aware that documents are on the way can help reduce this risk.
We recommend:
- sending documents using tracked delivery
- including the Access to Work cover letter
- calling the helpline to let them know documents are coming
- once delivery is confirmed, calling again to check documents have been scanned and attached to your case
This adds extra steps, but it can help ensure your evidence is actually considered.
3. Be prepared for changes at Support Worker renewal
If you are renewing Support Worker funding and your award was made more than 12 months ago, you may find that your support is reduced.
Across casework and wider reports, we are consistently seeing:
- reductions in hours (often around 20% of working hours)
- reductions in hourly rates (rates above £20 per hour are now less common, except for specialist roles such as BSL interpreters)
These decisions are often upheld at reconsideration.
We still recommend requesting a reconsideration where appropriate. However, it is important to approach this with realistic expectations.
You can strengthen your case by:
- updating your Support Worker Record of Tasks
- providing supporting letters
- writing an impact statement
- gathering quotes
Even with strong evidence, reductions may still be applied. Each case is considered individually.
March update
Scrutiny, reform and emerging patterns
March has not brought major operational changes in the way January and February did. Instead, the focus has shifted towards scrutiny, evidence gathering and reform.
Context – reform is being shaped from multiple directions
The current Access to Work landscape is being influenced by several overlapping processes:
- The National Audit Office report published on 6 February
- The Public Accounts Committee inquiry into Access to Work
- The Pathways to Work Green Paper consultation
- The Access to Work Collaboration Committee (2025)
- The newly established Independent Disability Advisory Panel
Together, these form the context for ongoing and future reform. The direction is clear, but the detail is not yet known.
12 March – Public Accounts Committee oral evidence session
On 12 March, the Public Accounts Committee took oral evidence from senior Department for Work and Pensions officials.
The session focused on:
- rising demand and application volumes
- long waiting times and backlogs
- how applications are prioritised
- consistency of decision-making
- reductions in support
- complaints and reconsiderations
- gaps in available data
The Department confirmed that:
- applications from people starting work are prioritised
- delays remain for those already in work
- decisions are made on a case-by-case basis
- there are limitations in the data currently collected
The Committee will use this evidence, alongside written submissions, to produce a report.
You can watch the session or read the transcript here:
Watch the session
Read the transcript
March – written evidence published
In March, written evidence submitted to the inquiry was published.
There are 68 submissions from a mix of Disabled People’s Organisations, charities, practitioner groups and individuals, including the Access to Work Collective, RNIB, RNID, Citizens Advice, Business Disability Forum and the Trades Union Congress.
I also submitted evidence to the inquiry, focusing specifically on the experiences of self-employed Access to Work claimants. This looked at how the system operates in practice for people who are already in work but do not have an employer, and the additional barriers this can create.
You can read all submissions, including mine, here.
Research – Disability Policy Centre report
The Disability Policy Centre published a report on Access to Work in March.
The report highlights:
- long waiting times
- inconsistent decision-making
- communication barriers
- lack of transparency
- impact on employment
It makes 12 recommendations, including reducing delays, improving communication and accessibility, increasing transparency, improving consistency of decisions, strengthening data collection, monitoring employment outcomes and working more closely with Disabled People’s Organisations.
The report is being taken seriously within policy discussions.
FOIs and transparency
Recent Freedom of Information responses provide some additional insight into how Access to Work and wider DWP processes are operating.
One response looks at the use of email and call recording as reasonable adjustments. While this is not specific to Access to Work, it has clear relevance to how communication adjustments are being handled across DWP systems.
Read the response here
Another request asked for the Access to Work Standard Operating Procedure. What was provided was only a summary, but it suggests that more detailed internal guidance exists and may be accessible through further requests.
Read the response here
I also submitted additional FOI requests in March, which are currently awaiting responses.
Parliamentary questions
In March, 48 written parliamentary questions on Access to Work were answered.
Examples include:
- A question on processing times for employed vs self-employed applicants
- The Department stated there is no separate system
- However, differences in wait times continue to be reported in practice
- A question on Support Worker rates of pay
- Confirmation that data is not collected on how many people lose employment due to delays or reductions in Access to Work support
Emerging pattern – consistency in reductions
While not a formal policy change, there is an increasingly consistent pattern in practice:
- reductions in support are becoming more common
- these decisions are often upheld at reconsideration
This aligns with what is being reported across casework and the wider community.
Community activity – Practitioner Network
In March, I launched a new Access to Work Practitioner Network.
This is aimed at practitioners, advisers and organisations supporting disabled people, and is designed as a space to share knowledge, discuss casework patterns and stay up to date with how the system is operating in practice.
The first session will take place at the end of April, with a second session planned for May. Alongside the sessions themselves, there is a simple application process to help shape the group and make sure it is useful for those attending.
Simply click the blue text above to read each article.
What’s coming up in April and May
If you’re attending any of the in-person events below, do come and say hello. It’s always good to meet people in real life, even if it’s just for a quick chat between sessions.
April
8 April, 12–1
Access to Work for Employers (with Ayoa)
A free session focused on helping employers understand Access to Work in practice.
Register here
10 April, 12–1: NeuroRocket Information Session 1: Before You Apply
Register here
14–16 April: Leeds Disability Studies Conference
Attending and engaging with wider disability research and discussion.
Find out more here
29 April, 10–11:30
Access to Work Practitioner Network – first session
Event details
May
8 May, 12–1
NeuroRocket Info Session 1
Register here
20 May
AT Train CPD Day, Birmingham
A full day focused on Assistive Technology and workplace support, with a wide range of suppliers and sessions.
21 May
AT Brunch (Techedology)
Find out more here
28 May, 12–1:30
Access to Work Practitioner Network – second session
Event details
Application form
29 May, 12–1
NeuroRocket Info Session 2 – Preparing to meet your Case Manager
Register here
Spotlight on…
Decode’s Access to Work guide
Decode’s Access to Work guide is a clear, practical resource designed to help people understand how the scheme works.
It is aimed primarily at the arts and culture sector, but much of the content is useful more widely.
It covers:
- how to apply
- what support is available
- how the process works in practice
It is also kept up to date, which is particularly important given how quickly things are changing.
This was recommended at an event I attended in March and served as a useful reminder of a resource that is worth sharing more widely.
Organisational advice sessions
Alongside working directly with individuals, I offer advice sessions for organisations.
One way these are increasingly being used is to support someone within an organisation to develop as an internal Access to Work lead.
This might involve:
- a series of sessions
- working through real cases
- identifying gaps in knowledge
- setting actions between sessions
- ongoing support to stay up to date
This approach can work well for:
- employers
- HR and DEI teams
- organisations providing advice, coaching or employment support to disabled people
If you are supporting disabled people in work, building internal understanding of Access to Work can make a significant difference to how effectively support is put in place.
That’s all for now
See you next month,
Alice 😊
P.S. Missed an issue of the newsletter? You can catch up in my newsletter archive.