Centre welcomes additional funding for Access to Work scheme

19 November 2012

“Additional funding for the successful Access to Work scheme will mean that more people with a mental illness or a disability get the same chance as everyone else to find a job or to remain in work.”

Andy Bell, deputy chief executive at Centre for Mental Health said, welcoming the Government’s announcement that an extra £15 million will be made available for Access to Work, a scheme which helps employers with the additional costs that may be associated with employing someone with a disability.

“Studies show that being in work is good for health. Having a job can help people with a mental health condition to get better and rebuild their lives. Support for employers from Access to Work can make a big difference, helping to keep people well and in work. Yet less than one per cent of Access to Work funding has been used to help people with a mental health condition to get or keep a job.

“Just as importantly, the additional funding means that employers will hire the right person for the job regardless of whether they have a mental health condition or a disability, without having to worry about incurring any additional costs. It is vital that GPs and Jobcentre advisers are aware of Access to Work and know how to make use of it. And we need to tackle the fears that some employers still have of recruiting people with a history of mental ill health so that no one misses out on an opportunity to build a better life and fulfil their potential.”

 

Find out more about Access to Work on the Government's website here.