What happens during an ATW assessment?
Welcome to our latest blog post where we take a look at the Access to Work (ATW) assessments, an important part of the ATW grant. The ATW grant is designed to provide practical support and funding to help you overcome work-related obstacles due to your condition or disability. Whether it's specialised equipment, transport solutions, or personal support, ATW is there to help you stay in work or enter employment.
Unlike some other assessments you might have encountered, such as those for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), ATW assessments are known for being more supportive and collaborative. This is an opportunity for you to express your needs and receive tailored recommendations that genuinely aid you in your work life. The aim here is not to scrutinise or 'catch you out' but to understand and assist you in the best way possible.
personal experiences with the ATW Assessment
I remember feeling a mix of nervousness and hope as I prepared for my first ATW assessment some years ago. Having heard mixed experiences about various assessments from the DWP, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But what unfolded during the assessment was both reassuring and quite literally life-changing.
Entering the assessment, I had only one request: finger splints to manage the effects of my hypermobility on my hands while I use the computer for work. However, when the assessor asked me if I had any other conditions, I told her I had chronic widespread pain too. I didn’t even think about mentioning that it affected my work because I couldn’t imagine what they could possibly do about it.
“I didn’t even think about mentioning that it affected my work because I couldn’t imagine what they could possibly do about it.”
And this is where everything changed: the assessor proactively recommended something I hadn't even considered – a complete ergonomic office setup. From an ergonomic chair to a specialised keyboard and mouse, wrist cushion and specialist footrest, each suggestion was aimed at reducing discomfort and giving me the ability to work effectively.
I recall asking the assessor, somewhat incredulously, ‘Is it okay to have all this support?’ The response was a warm and affirming, ‘Of course! We don't want you in pain at work.’ That moment marked a turning point for me. The assessor's genuine concern and proactive stance were a breath of fresh air after so many terrible encounters with the DWP.
This positive experience was not a one-off event. In subsequent assessments, both for myself and my clients, I've consistently observed assessors who are sincerely invested in understanding and meeting the unique needs of each individual. They listen, they ask relevant questions, and they recommend support with your best interest at heart.
I could hopefully put your mind at ease, but this doesn’t mean you should go in unprepared.
How to prepare for the ATW Assessment
Preparation is key to making the most of your ATW assessment. Being well-informed not only helps you articulate your needs but also ensures that the support you receive will really help you thrive at work. Here are some ways to research and prepare:
Check online communities and forums. Platforms like Reddit and various Facebook groups offer a wealth of shared experiences and advice. Engaging with others who have similar conditions can give you practical insights and recommendations about the sorts of things that could help you at work.
Take examples from public personalities. Follow public figures online who have your condition. Their opinions and product reviews of different tools and adaptations can be incredibly informative.
Research product reviews. Websites focusing on ergonomic or disability-friendly products often feature detailed reviews and comparisons. These can give you a sense of what might work for you.
Get advice from occupational therapists. Occupational therapists often provide valuable insights into workplace adaptations. Look for their blogs, social media posts, or websites for professional advice.
Check out manufacturers. Exploring manufacturers' websites can help you find specialised equipment you might not have known about. This can be particularly useful for finding ergonomic solutions tailored to specific needs.
If you feel you need some extra support during the assessment itself, consider bringing along someone you trust. This could be a family member, a colleague, or a professional who understands your condition or disability.
They can offer reassurance, or even speak on your behalf if you find it difficult.
Having someone there for support can be immensely helpful, but it requires advance planning since you're involving another person in the process.
The ATW assessment process
The ATW assessment is a key step in accessing the support you need. After all, it’s your chance to ask for all the things you’ll get out of your grant! Understanding its structure can make the experience smoother and more effective. Let’s break it down into its core components.
The ATW assessment takes place after your ATW case manager contacts you about your application. If there’s any uncertainty about what support you’d like to ask for, your case manager will refer you for an assessment. This is the case even if you mainly know what you’d like to ask for but you’re unsure if some different support types could help you.
Did you know? If your ATW manager seems like they won’t refer you for an assessment for some reason, you can simply tell them that you’re requesting one. They cannot refuse your request for an assessment.
The assessments are not carried out by ATW itself - they are outsourced to third parties, so there will be a short wait before they get in touch with you. When they reach you, you’ll set up a date and time for your assessment.
What happens during the ATW assessment?
The assessment is a 1-hour meeting held either virtually or in person. This is where you engage in a detailed discussion with your assessor about your condition or disability and how it affects you at work.
Here are the main questions you'll be asked, along with tips on how to prepare to answer them.
Do note that the assessor will most likely ask follow-up questions for each of the questions to explore all the details around your work and your condition or disability.
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Preparation tip: List your main responsibilities and any unique aspects of your role that might not be immediately obvious. This helps the assessor understand your day-to-day tasks and tailor recommendations accordingly.
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Preparation tip: Prepare a brief outline of your daily and weekly routines, noting any activities that are particularly challenging due to your condition.
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Preparation tip: Be clear about your working hours, including any part-time or flexible aspects. This information will help assessors understand the duration of potential exposure to discomfort or challenges.
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Preparation tip: Mention any specific workdays, especially if you have a non-traditional or variable schedule, as it might affect the type of support you need.
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Preparation tip: Make a detailed list of tasks or situations at work that you find challenging. Be as specific as possible. Try and describe the physical or mental aspects that are difficult for you. If you find it hard to get started, think about all the situations that make you go, ‘Oh no, I hate doing that task!’
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Preparation tip: Reflect on any tools, adjustments, or practices that have previously made your work easier and be ready to discuss these. Think of what was it about those adjustments that helped you.
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Preparation tip: Research and list specific equipment, tools, or accommodations that could address your needs. Include brand names, models, or specific features that are important.
How to advocate for what you need during the assessment
Imagine the ATW assessment as less than a formal procedure and more as a friendly and collaborative conversation aimed at identifying the best support for you. The assessors are there to offer recommendations based on their experience with others who have similar health conditions or disabilities.
During your ATW assessment, it's easy to assume that the assessor ‘knows best’ as they’re in a position of power. However, it's important to remember that nobody understands your needs and experiences better than you do. While the assessor brings a wealth of knowledge about potential support options, your personal insights and understanding of your own needs are equally important.
“Nobody understands your needs and experiences better than you do.”
Therefore, do feel empowered to speak up during this conversation. If the assessor suggests a form of support that you don’t think will work for you, it’s perfectly okay to express that. Similarly, if you have specific needs or preferences — perhaps a particular piece of equipment or a different approach that you believe would be more beneficial — don’t hesitate to bring them up. This assessment is about finding what works best for you, and your insights are invaluable in creating a support plan that will actually fit your unique needs.
The conversation with your assessor should be seen as an opportunity to explore and advocate for the support that will most effectively improve your work life.
Below are a couple of scenarios, based on real conversations with assessors, to illustrate how these discussions might unfold and how you can actively participate in shaping what the assessor will put down as recommendations for you:
Suggesting a specific piece of equipment:
You: ‘I have arthritis, and it's painful when I use the computer.’
Assessor: ‘From the sound of that, an ergonomic keyboard and mouse, along with a padded wrist cushion, could really help you.’
You: ‘That sounds good, thank you! I'm also interested in a specific type of keyboard – the Kinetic Freestyle split keyboard. I could position the two halves of the keyboard into exactly the arrangement that would work best for my hands. I believe this would greatly reduce my discomfort. Would it be possible to recommend this specific keyboard for me, please?’
Assessor: ‘I see, I’m not familiar with it, but let me check... Yes, having just looked it up, I can definitely include this in your recommendations.’
Correcting the assessor if they misunderstand your situation
You: ‘I have C-PTSD and would like to get coaching to help me cope with overwhelm at work.’
Assessor: ‘Sure, I can recommend training and coaching for PTSD.’
You: ‘There seems to be a misunderstanding. I have C-PTSD, not PTSD. The symptoms and manifestations are quite different.’
Assessor: ‘Oh, I do apologise. Could you please explain a bit more about C-PTSD so I know exactly what to recommend?’
You: ‘Of course. C-PTSD can cause derealisation, which affects my perception and trust in day-to-day situations. It also impacts my ability to assess situations correctly and form trust with new people. Standard PTSD coaching wouldn’t be suitable if it’s delivered by someone who doesn’t understand the full context of my condition.’
Assessor: ‘Understood. Thank you for clarifying. I’ll ensure the recommendations are specific to C-PTSD coaching.’
As you can see, it’s best if you go into the assessment prepared with some concrete ideas. If you’re not sure what would work best for you, it could be that what the assessor ends up recommending might not actually suit you quite well.
The difference can be night and day between different pieces of equipment of the same category, so make sure you know what’s important to you and proactively bring that into the conversation with the assessor. They will genuinely listen and aim to understand exactly what it is that would benefit you the most.
What happens after the ATW assessment?
It's important to understand how the assessment fits into the bigger picture of getting your ATW grant. Here’s what will happen afterwards:
The assessor will send a detailed report to your ATW case manager, usually within a few days of the assessment. This report will outline the suggested accommodations and support based on your conversation.
Your case manager will then review this report and start putting together your grant proposal. This process might take a couple of weeks, depending on the complexity of your needs.
Once the grant proposal is ready, your case manager will get in touch with you to go over it. This is an important part where you can make amendments if necessary.
After ensuring that everything is in order, your case manager finalises the grant. You will receive a letter detailing everything you have been awarded. Some case managers prefer to send this information via email for quicker communication (and you can still request it via email from those who don’t).
A word of caution:
Do make sure that you have a careful look through the grant proposal to make sure everything you discussed during the assessment is there.
If something is missing or not quite right, this is the time to correct it. Tell your case manager what’s amiss and work with them to correct it.
Throughout this post-assessment process, staying active and communicating with your case manager in a timely manner is key to making sure that the final grant aligns with your needs.
Final tips
As I wrap up this guide on the ATW assessment process, let's summarise the key points and offer some reassurance for your upcoming assessment:
The ATW assessment is supportive. Remember, unlike other assessments, the ATW process is designed to be collaborative and understanding. The assessors are there to help you, not to challenge your needs.
It’s really important to personalise your recommendations. Your assessment focuses on finding tailored solutions specifically for you. Be clear about what makes work difficult for you and the type of support that would help you the best. Without this, you’ll end up with basic generic recommendations that may not end up being helpful to you.
Preparation makes a huge difference. A clear understanding of your role, daily challenges, and potential solutions will lead to a more productive conversation that will set you up for success and help you secure a grant that has the true potential of being life-changing.
Speak up for your needs. Feel empowered to suggest specific tools or accommodations that you think will help you the most. Without your input, you’re left with the assessor’s best guesses. Although these are based on their experience, they may not be well-suited to your unique needs.
Remember, you’re not alone. You have the option to bring someone with you to support you during the assessment. Whether it’s a family member, a colleague, or a professional, their presence can be a source of comfort, and they can advocate for your needs too.
What happens after the assessment is as important as the assessment itself. Stay actively engaged with your case manager after the assessment. Review the assessor's report and the grant proposal carefully, and don’t hesitate to ask for any necessary changes if you think they didn’t get something right.
I understand that assessments can be daunting, but rest assured that you're more than able to handle this. Taking the assessment is a significant step towards a more accommodating and productive work environment. By going into the process well-prepared and with an understanding of what to expect, you can make the most out of the opportunities the ATW grant offers.
I wish you good luck with your ATW assessment. May it be a positive step towards getting the support you need to really thrive at work!
Join the Conversation! Share Your Experiences and Questions
Your stories and experiences are invaluable, and I would love to hear from you. Whether you’ve already gone through an ATW assessment or are preparing for one, your insights and stories can be a source of support and inspiration for others.
Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below. What was your assessment like? What tips would you offer to those just starting this process? If you have specific questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to ask. As always, I’m here to offer support and share knowledge.
By sharing our stories and questions, we can build a supportive network that empowers each of us to navigate the ATW assessment with greater ease and confidence.
I look forward to reading your comments.
