Get support for a disability or learning need

What support can you get?

If you have a learning difficulty, disability, or both, there are rights that protect you against discrimination. These rights cover many areas, including employment and education. You’re also protected during the application and interview process by the Equality Act 2010.

If you have a learning difficulty, disability or physical or mental health condition, your employer and training provider must make reasonable adjustments to help you. These could include:

• providing equipment to help with your work
• giving you more time to do your work
• arranging tasks in a different way
• making physical changes to your workplace
• offering employees training opportunities, recreation and refreshment facilities.

You should have had an initial assessment with your employer and training provider before starting your apprenticeship. Talk to them if your circumstances change, or if you aren’t getting the support you need.

You can find more support by emailing youngvoices@disabilityrightsuk.org

How will my needs be assessed?

There’s no set way for your needs to be assessed. Any reasonable adjustments your employer and training provider recommend need to be agreed and signed off by you. In your initial assessment, your employer and training provider should:

• evaluate any learning difficulties and disabilities you have that might affect your activities or training
• decide if you need further assessments to help you get the right support during your apprenticeship
• tailor activities to meet your needs, and help you keep to your training plan
• consider the support and adjustments you’ll need and talk about them with you
• identify the skills, qualifications or experience you have, including English and maths
• assess any support you might need with computer-based activities (if applicable).

If you did not discuss this in your initial assessment, you can tell them afterwards. You should also tell them if your circumstances change during your apprenticeship.

What funding is available?

Access to Work is a government scheme that offers grants to apprentices to help them pay for any reasonable adjustments they need. You could be eligible for a grant if you have a disability, health condition or mental health condition.

This could help pay for things like:

• British Sign Language interpreters, lip speakers or note-takers
• adaptations to your vehicle so you can get to work
• taxi fares to work or a support worker if you cannot use public transport
• a support worker or job coach to help you in your workplace.

English and maths requirements

If you’re aged 16 to 18, you might need a minimum level of English and maths to meet the criteria for your apprenticeship assessment.

If you have a learning difficulty, disability, or both, you may be able to complete a functional skills qualification instead. Your training provider should talk to you about this. They’ll also make a learning plan for you to help develop your English and maths skills if necessary.