Reasonable Adjustments and Practical Support

Access to Work Scheme

Access to Work is a government scheme that allows you to apply for funding to pay for support, equipment and other adjustments if you have a longstanding physical or mental health condition or disability, including neurodivergence.

 

We recommend Access to Work as a support mechanism because:

• You do not need to have received a diagnosis to be eligible for support.
• The process includes a Needs Assessment which identifies the right support for you as an individual, with an outcome report that lists bespoke recommendations tailored to your needs.
• It provides substantial financial support for the purchasing of equipment and access to support mechanisms. 

 

Some examples of the support that Access to Work has funded for PGDiTs in our region include:

• Noise-cancelling headphones which can reduce background noise that can cause distraction or overstimulation; wireless headphones allow flexibility of moving around to aid restlessness during meetings.

• Read-and-write software has multiple functions that support concentration and focus, including speech transcription for those who articulate themselves verbally, focused text to speech for those who prefer to receive information audibly, and a built in dictionary function for those who need support with understanding unfamiliar words.

• Neurodiversity specialist coaching which is tailored to the individual and helps to facilitate the development and testing of different strategies to harness strengths and overcome any areas of challenge.

• Sit/stand desks which provide position flexibility to aid with restlessness and increase focus.

• Ergonomic keyboard and mouse which provide greater comfort when working on a computer to prevent distractions.

• Mind-mapping software which provides support with the organisation of thoughts and with revision notes.

 

Should you be interested in applying to Access to Work, you can find more information on the .GOV website. Alternatively, you may wish to review our Guidance on Applying to Access to Work which has collated the Access to Work scheme's information, as well as some advice from external website, into one handy document.

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Reasonable Adjustments for Neurodivergence

The following are non-comprehensive examples of reasonable adjustments that could easily be applied for PGDiTs who are neurodivergent. 

It is important to remember that each individual is different, and their support needs will vary. Whilst this non-exhaustive list of examples is provided as a reference, the individual needs of the PGDiT should be discussed with them and support applied accordingly. 

 

Making changes to the workplace, a person’s workstation or surroundings of an assessment area, for example:

• Providing low lit social spaces, break rooms or workstations for those who are overstimulated by light.

• Providing a quiet social space or break room for those who are overstimulated by sound.

• Providing a quiet workspace to complete paperwork.

• Providing desks or workspaces with adjustable height.
• Providing dual screens/monitors to aid memory and attention.

 

Changing someone's working arrangements, for example:

• Allowing extra time and rest breaks.

• Accommodating time off for medical appointments, or specialist coaching.

• Adjusting the nature or volume or administrative tasks, or the time allocated in which to complete them.

• Adjusting the working pattern, to allow PGDiTs to work in a more consistent environment, perhaps by keeping the same workspace or room, or by working with a more limited number of supervisors.

 

Finding a different way to do something, for example:

• The early distribution of, or access to educational materials to candidates with dyslexia or with other recognised specific learning needs.

• Providing a glossary of regularly used acronyms or avoiding use of acronyms, where possible.

• Ensuring that teaching materials are provided in an accessible format.

• Printing documents on coloured paper.

• Allowing use of notetaking or audio recording software to support notetaking in meetings or training.

• Highlighting key words, details, and action points in long emails or documents to assist with information processing.
• Keeping spoken instructions clear and concise, with opportunities to clarify and consolidate, and take notes.

 

Providing equipment, services or support, for example:

• Providing noise cancelling headphones.
• Providing supportive technology for screen reading and/or dictation.
• Providing a chair which allows greater fluidity of seating positions whilst being ergonomically sound.
• Providing additional coaching and/or mentoring.
• Providing advanced notice of any changes (i.e., to ways of working/the working environment) and as much detail as possible to allow time to adjust.
• Allowing additional time for the PGDiT to settle during transitions, such as when moving to a new placement site.

 

Where you are aware of a neurodivergent PGDiT who is due to be employed at your trust, you may wish to consider providing them with the following in advance of their start date:

• A list of other colleagues that they will be working with, ideally with photographs.
• Comprehensive induction material about the role/expectations and/or how the department works.