Access to Work scheme: How survivors of domestic abuse can get workplace support
Survivors of domestic abuse face multiple barriers to employment, and for many, these challenges are compounded by health conditions or disabilities. These may predate the abuse, have been worsened by it, or, in some cases, been directly caused by it. Yet, too often, the conversation around employability support for survivors overlooks the reality that many need workplace adjustments or specialist support to manage their health while rebuilding their careers.
A recent Personnel Today article highlights the value of the UK government's Access to Work scheme, which provides financial and practical support for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to enter or remain in work. While the scheme is underutilised, it can be a lifeline for survivors of domestic abuse who may be struggling with physical injuries, chronic illnesses, or the psychological impact of trauma.
How Domestic Abuse Affects Survivors' Health and Work
At Choices, we know that many survivors experience ongoing health challenges, including:
Physical disabilities or injuries resulting from abuse, such as mobility impairments, chronic pain, or sensory loss.
Mental health conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, which can affect focus, confidence, and energy levels at work.
Chronic illnesses, such as autoimmune conditions or gastrointestinal disorders, which may have been triggered or worsened by prolonged stress.
Neurodiversity and cognitive impacts, including conditions like ADHD or difficulties with memory and processing information, which may have been undiagnosed before the abuse or exacerbated by trauma.
These challenges can make it difficult for survivors to maintain steady employment, particularly in workplace environments that are inflexible or do not proactively offer reasonable adjustments.
How access to work can help survivors
The Access to Work scheme can provide tailored support for survivors who need adjustments to succeed in the workplace. This can include:
Funding for specialist equipment, such as adapted keyboards or screen readers.
Adjustments to transport, such as taxi fares or vehicle adaptations for those unable to use public transport.
Workplace assessments to help employers understand and implement reasonable adjustments.
One-to-one support, such as specialist career coaching services, including those offered by Choices, to support survivors in re-entering or sustaining employment.
For survivors of domestic abuse, this support can mean the difference between struggling in silence and thriving in a job that values their potential. However, as the Personnel Today article points out, delays in processing applications and a lack of awareness about the scheme mean that many people miss out on this crucial help.
Get help from Choices - Career Coaching and More
At Choices, our career coaching services are designed to support survivors in rebuilding their careers while navigating the health challenges that may impact their working lives. Through our employability skills programme and one-to-one coaching, we help survivors:
Identify their strengths and career aspirations.
Understand their rights at work, including requesting reasonable adjustments.
Develop strategies for managing health conditions in the workplace.
Access external support to remove practical barriers to employment.
We believe that every survivor deserves the opportunity to work in a role that suits their skills and circumstances. By raising awareness of schemes like Access to Work and advocating for more inclusive workplaces, we can help survivors move from surviving to thriving in their careers.
How Employers Can Support Domestic Abuse Survivors
We encourage employers to make use of the Access to Work scheme to create a more inclusive workplace for employees who have health conditions or disabilities, including those recovering from domestic abuse.
We also urge occupational health providers, HR teams, and other referral organisations to signpost individuals to the Access to Work scheme and to consider Choices’ career coaching services as an eligible expense covered by the grant. Providing survivors with the right career support can make a significant difference in their long-term recovery and work stability.
If You Need Support
If you are a survivor of domestic abuse and need help navigating your career options while managing a health condition or disability, or if you are an employer or occupational health provider seeking to make appropriate referrals, our services for employers and survivors can provide tailored guidance and support.
Get in touch with us to learn more about how we can help survivors take the next step towards a fulfilling career and how organisations can better support them.
Together, we can create workplaces that work for everyone.
