Access to Work - Mental Health Support

This free confidential service run by Maximus and funded by the Department for Work and Pensions. It provides advice, information, support and tools to help support staff with mental health conditions. It is available to any employee with depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health issues affecting their work.

Full information about the programme and how to apply can be found the Maximus webpages.

The information below is designed as a guide.

Applying for Access to Work - Mental Health Support

Am I eligible for Access to Work - Mental Health Support?

Available to all staff who:

are in permanent or temporary employment
have a mental health condition (diagnosed or undiagnosed) that has resulted in workplace absence or difficulties at work.

There is also support for apprentices.

How do I go about making an application?

You can apply for support by telephone or email.

Telephone 0300 456 8114

Mon - Fri 09:00 - 19:00
Saturday 09:00 - 13:00

Or emailing atw@maximusuk.co.uk

Some basic identification information will be requested including:

Contact details
Date of birth
National Insurance number
Occupation
information about your health and wellbeing

You can also apply for Access to Work - Mental Health support using Access to Work contact details

You will speak to a case manager who will take your details and assess what support may be appropriate and will pass you case on the Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant (VRC). This service is completely confidential and no information will be passed to the University.

What to expect

Assessment

During your initial meeting with your Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant (VRC), you will be asked questions to help them assess the level of support you require.

They will focus on how your mental health difficulties are impacting on you at work and they will then develop a personalised plan.

Currently all support is being provided remotely via telephone or video call.

All support offered is free to both the employee and the employer. This programme is completely confidential for the employee. No information will be shared with the employer or other parties without informed consent.

Support provided

The programme offers tailor-made work focused confidential mental health support for nine months. Your VRC will develop a personalised programme for you that may include:

An assessment of needs
Recommendations of suitable coping strategies
A personalised support plan to keep them in, or return to work
Emotional well-being support and practical advice
Ideas for workplace adjustments

Your VRC will be in regular contact with you over nine months. They may refer you for specialist support if they feel it appropriate.

Further information

Useful Contacts

Access to Work - An Access to Work grant can pay for practical support for individuals with a long term disability, health or mental health condition to enable them to start work or stay in work. Employee must make application.

Access to work mental health supportThis is a confidential program delivered on behalf of the Department of work and pensions which is available at no charge to employees with depression, anxiety, stress or any other mental health issue affecting their work.