Access to Work scheme improved
Access to Work is improving he way it meets the needs of disabled people and those with health problems who work in the broadcasting and creative industries. In the past there have been problems with the way Access to Work dealt with people working on a freelance basis or in multiple short-term contracts with different employers - which is often the way people in the creative sector are employed.
Jobcentre Plus, who operate Access to Work, has worked in partnership with Employers’ Forum on Disability, the Broacasting and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN) and Shape to identify and resolve the particular problems faced by disabled people in the creative industries.
The practical measures to be adopted from 1st July 2008 include: -
A small dedicated team of Access to Work advisers (see list below) located throughout Great Britain will process all applications from people working in the broadcasting and creative industries. The team will have developed specific industry knowledge with the help of the BCIDN.
Customers who require a Support Worker wil be assessed at their initial application to see what help is required in their ‘typical’ job and then receive that support over a 3 year period - even if they move to new employer.
Freelance customers will be treated as self employed, which means that they will own any equipment provided through Access to Work and be able to use it in future projects.
Those in employment will no longer be required to cost share with Access to Work. They can choose to buy equipment themselves and claim back the full grant from Access to Work and so be able to take it with them to any new employment.
Links
Jobcentre Plus
Broadcasting and Creative industries Disability Network BCIDN
ACCESS TO WORK - VIRTUAL TEAM APPOINTED FOR THE REGIONS
Jobcentre Plus has appointed ten advisors who will make up their virtual centre of excellence for the broadcasting and creative industries. They are based in London, Harrow, Cardiff, West Sussex, Birmingham, Leeds, Bolton, Glasgow and Bristol, and will look after all Access to Work claims for the industry. Over the next few months the team will be spending time on a range of television and film productions to familiarise themselves with how the industry works.
The advisers and their contact details are: -
Caron Clement (London Region and East of England)
London Region Access to Work Business Centre
Jobcentreplus
Harrow Jobcentre
Nine Elms Lane
London
SW95 9BH
Tel: 020 8426 3065
Fax: 020 8426 3134
Minicom: 020 8426 3133
email: caron.clement@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
Vinnette Quarrie (London Region and East of England)
Access to Work Business Centre
Kings House
1st Floor
Clarendon Road
Harrow
Middlesex
HA1 1YJ
Tel: 0208 426 3014
Fax: 0208 426 3134
Minicom: 0208 426 3133
email: vinnette.quarrie@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
Sarah Counsell (Wales)
Access to Work Business Centre
4TH Floor Companies House
Crown Way
Maindy
Cardiff CF14 3UW
Tel 02920 804077
Mobile 07966 566657
Fax 02920 804071
Minicom 02920 220276
email: sarah.counsell1@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
Pam Millard (South East)
AtW Business Centre
Norfolk House
High St
Shoreham-by-Sea
West Sussex BN43 5EN
Tel: 01273 364750
Fax: 01273 364781
Text: 01273 364782 AtW Business Centre
Norfolk House
High St
Shoreham-by-Sea
West Sussex BN43 5EN
Tel: 01273 364712
Fax: 01273 364781
Text: 01273 364782
email: pam.millard1@jocentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
Mick Muller (West and East Midlands)
Access to Work
Jobcentre Plus
Cannock BDC
St. Stephens Street
Birmingham
B99 1AE.
Tel: 01543 461269
Fax: 01543 461009
No minicom, usually use type talk
email mick.muller@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
Edie Mansfield and Dawn Mortimer (North West)
Direct Line: 01204 516581 (Edie) 01204 516548 (Dawn)
Access to Work Team
PO Box 313
Bolton
BL1 1FW
General No. 01204 516590
Fax: 01204 516565
Minicom: 01204 516585
email: edith.mansfield@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
emai: dawn.mortimer@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
Helen Benson (Y and H and North East)
Access to Work,
Regional Disability Services,
Pepper Road, Hunslet,
Leeds,
LS10 2NP.
Telephone number is - 0113 214 2347
Fax number is - 0113 214 2331
Mincom is - 0113 2714785
Leslie Roy (Scotland)
Access to Work Business Team Glasgow
Anniesland JCP
Baird Street
Glasgow
G90 8AN
Tel: 0141 950 5260
Mobile: n/a
Fax: 0141 950 5265
Minicom: 0141 950 5218
email: leslie.roy@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
Adrian Neads (South West)
AtW Business Centre
19 Eagleswood Business Park
Woodlands Lane
Bradley Stoke
Bristol BS32 4EU
Tel: 01454 848521
Fax: 01454 848540
Text: 01454 617641
email: adrian.neads@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk