information for employers
Introduction
Randstad Worker Support works in association with 'Access to Work' (the government agency/fund charged with providing funding for support workers to enable disabled people to take a full and active role in their workplace and to develop their careers). It means that the company has agreed pricing centrally for the various roles it provides.
What kinds of disabilities do Randstad Worker Support workers deal with?
People with a range of disabilities may qualify for funding for worker support. Examples would include visual, auditory or vocal impairments, physical disabilities, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, asperger’s, autism and mental health impairments. Fundamentally, if someone is entitled to Access to Work allowances, Randstad will be able to provide whatever support may be required.
How does an employee qualify for Worker Support?
The employee must first make an application for Access to Work funding. This application is made via the Access to Work disability adviser in the employee’s local Jobcentre Plus. The employee will be assessed by the adviser, who will determine his/her eligibility by interview (usually over the phone, but in some instances face-to-face). S/he may require formal medical evidence relating to the applicant’s disability.
The adviser then determines the impact that the employee’s disability will have on his/her capacity to carry out the role, and will decide what kind of support will be required to enable the employee to do the job. S/he will agree the number of hours of support the employee will receive and will stipulate the hourly rate which can be charged for the support. Support will be provided for an agreed period after which the employee/employer will need to reapply. Confirmation of a successful application comes in the shape of an Award Letter.
I have an employee who qualifies for Access to Work funding. What should I do?
It is your responsibility to find an appropriate support worker to deliver the support. You can discharge that responsibility by managing the entire process yourself (paperwork, appointment, employment and management and liaison with government funding partners) in association with your qualifying employee. Alternatively, you can contact a team member at Randstad, supply him/her with a copy of the award letter, and the consultant will run the entire process for you.
How can Randstad Worker Support help me?
If you approach Randstad to handle an Access to Work arrangement, Randstad will either match an existing support worker to your employee or recruit a new person specifically for him/her. Anyone whom Randstad recruits is subject to detailed checking (eligibility to work in the UK; CRB), vetting, and referencing. His/her employment record and professional qualifications are always verified. Randstad has robust procedures for managing this process, because your worker’s safety and security are paramount.
The potential support worker will be screened extensively: this kind of role requires a certain kind of person, with a certain kind of temperament (alongside whatever specialist skills may be required). Extensive experience in the area, means that Randstad is highly effective in finding the right match – for both employee and employer.
Once a support worker is appointed to work with your employee, Randstad manages the arrangement fully. This includes managing the employee, recording hours, payrolling, admin, and recovering all allowable costs from Access to Work.