Access to work assessment

Slosh

I have this booked for next Wednesday and just wondered if anyone had any suggestions for me on how to get the most out of this. I work as an Inclusion Manager in a primary school and presume that as well as the office where I am based they will be interested in other areas of the school I may go in as part of my job such as meeting rooms and classrooms.

dreamdaisy

I cannot help but I hope that someone who can will be along soon; this topic may be worth reposting on the Benefits and Working Matters forum, yes? DD

GraceB

I'm not a teacher but all I can suggest is to think laterally about what you do, when you do it, and how. Also, what upsets your joints and for how long? What help do you need? What help/adjustments have you actually got? (The last two questions are totally different things if you think about it!). How much pain does a certain task cause you? What are you like when you go home at the end of the day? What can you do after work? (If you are like me - that last answer is a great bit fat zilch!!). Where do you park at school - do you have a blue badge?

Being an Inclusion Manager within a school you'll probably have a good idea of equipment that's available.

I work for a local authority and I am registered under their 'Two Ticks' programme (aimed at supporting disabled employees), they know I am disabled under the Equality Act (and have me recorded as such). I also have a 'Disability Passport' - that's a document which says what my health issues are, what help I need and what needs to be taken into account and that follows me from job to job so whoever my Line Manager is they know the relevant information.

Also, what about giving the AC Helpline a ring? One of the advisors may be able to assist. If you are in a Union speak to your Union rep as s/he may be able to give you some moral support if they can't actually be with you.

Sorry I can't be of more help. However, I do hope that the assessment goes well. Let me know if I can help in any other way.

Take care,
GraceB

Slosh

Thank you for that. I don't qualify for a blue badge but I was wondering about requesting use of one of the disabled parking spaces in the school car park. At present they are used by anyone and it would help if I came in a bit late one day, or in the winter if we have bad weather as I wouldn't have to worry about crossing the whole carcpark on a frosty morning as I need to use a stick. I have also got to have a return to work meeting later this month with the head which will involve a risk assessment and the OH reccomendations. I will start making some notes about my duties and what I have problems with. I have got a writing slope, book rest etc.

DaveOB

I have just had access to work come in and assess me. I think they get an independent specialist to come in and assess you. I have to say the lady who assessed me was really kind. There were no trick questions or anything like that, just a desire to understand my job so she could suggest as many things as possible to help. There was quite a lot of talking so I would suggest it would be good if there is somewhere quiet you can go. I also suggested some things and she agreed to them so worth having a good thing about anything you feel could help.

With regards to the blue badge, I needed one so I could park near work and my consultant wrote a letter supporting my application. Maybe yours would support a claim?

Dave

barbara12

Sorry I cant help, but just want to say hope its goes well..who knows they might come up with things you hadn't thought of..

dreamdaisy

People without mobility issues are granted BBs - as a BB holder nothing irks me more than someone who doesn't have one using a space reserved for someone who does. Please apply - you never know unless you try; I am sure your GP and hospital consultant will support your application. DD

Slosh

Thanks Dave8. It's good to know they don't try to catch you out. They have suggested a quiet room and also that I have my line manager or IT technician either present for the inteview or available later. I don't need a blue badge but I will ask aboutuse of one of the disabled parking spaces in the school car park as this will make life easier if I have to come in late because of a bad start to the day and in bad weather. My head is very supportive about this process which is good, rather just going along with it because he has to.

DD thanks for that but I really don't think I would qualify as I can walk, albeit slowly, for about 40 minutes. I could ask my GP later though.

dreamdaisy

Mobility is assessed but BBs are given to those with medical conditions that don't affect their mobility. I have BB because I cannot move without aids so if I need a space and see a non-holder in there it is understandably annoying, but as you say that all and sundry are using them then I guess a selfish precedent has been set. DD

Slosh

It does annoy me when I see people who do this as it is just due to laziness and a lack of consideration for others. Unfortunately as with so many things those that abuse things like this mean that others with genuine needs end up loosing out.

Slosh

Thinking about it I will ask about a blue badge as part of my job involves attending meetings off site where parking can be an issue. Up until last year I would walk to most if they were in Barking where I work but this is no longer a realistic option.
If they support an application it might help.

Cariad71

Hi slosh,

I'm also having a workplace assessment in a few weeks so will be interested to hear how you get on and if you have any tips of things I should think about or do beforehand. Mines being down by an occupational health physiotherapist.

Re a blue badge, I used to have one but when I reapplied I got refused, they couldn't seem to understand the concept of 'flare ups' and that when not flaring, I can walk pretty far but during an acute flare up, I really do need a disabled space sometimes because I can barely walk at all. I'd have thought they would take this into account, and I'd never have used the blue badge when I wasn't flaring, as there are people who need it much more. I've never tried reapplying since but have been relatively well controlled until recently. It makes me wonder if they still associate RA/arthritis with permanently disabled people with bad joint deformities such as the older people with it. They need to realise that treatment of inflammatory arthritis has come a long way (thankfully) so young people like me still have flare ups, but are less obviously 'disabled' some of the time :roll:

Slosh

I will keep you posted. So far I am making notes about the various things that my job involves and where I have difficulties. I am also going to make a list of things to ask about and I am going to take a copy of my OH review with me.

I don't know if I will be able to get a badge, but will work on the basis that if you don't ask you don't get and that the alternative would be for me to ask the school to pay for taxis which is not so good.

mig

Will be with you on Wednesday Slosh,will put my smart clothes on just in case you need help. Mig

Slosh

Thank you Mig. Better dig the work clothes out myself I suppose. As far as I'm concerned it's another step closer to me being back at work and hopefully managing to do a decent job. All being well only 10 days till I go back, for all of three days before the summer holidays start.

mig

Good luck for today Slosh. Mig

Slosh

Thank you Mig. I'm starting to feel a bit nervous about it now. I have gone through the various aspects of my job to highlight areas where I could/will have difficulties. Emotionally that's going to be hard to talk about as I don't like having to talk about this or admit to needing help. Still I know that hopefully it will make it easier to manage.

mig

How did it go yesterday. Mig

Slosh

It went really well Mig. The assessor was lovely, very encouraging and made it easy for me to talk about things. She's made a number of reccomendations, including speech to text software, a headphone for the phone, dictaphone, and a couple of other things. What I hadn't expected was advice on things such as working hours, she agreed with my GP that I can't go back to working 9 -9 1/2 hour days especially as I didn't really take a break ( Mr Gove take note). She reccomended a 7 hour day as the norm, sensible length of break in the middle of the day and is going to give me a link to some software that will enable me to set reminders to take a break on my PC. She used to be a PIP assessor and said I should apply for that and gave me some advice on completing the form.
So all in all very positive and it makes me feel much more confident about returning to work, especially in terms of hours as it gives me that back up.

I saw your post about your appointment yesterday, hope it's going well so far.