Access to Work ADHD Coaching
If you're employed or self-employed in the UK and ADHD is making your work harder than it needs to be, the government may fund your coaching. Most people I speak to either haven't heard of Access to Work or assume they won't qualify.
What is Access to Work?
Access to Work is a grant scheme run by the Department for Work and Pensions. It pays for practical support so people with a disability or health condition, including ADHD, can start work, stay in work, or grow a business. Coaching is one of the things it covers, alongside assistive technology, software and workplace adjustments.
t isn't a loan. You don't repay it, and it doesn't affect any other benefits you receive.
Do I need an ADHD diagnosis?
This surprises people. You need to show that your ADHD traits, things like executive dysfunction, overwhelm or time blindness, significantly affect your ability to do your job. A formal diagnosis helps but isn't a requirement.
Can I get Access to Work if I'm self-employed?
Yes, and this is the bit most people get wrong. Access o Work covers self-employed people as well as employees, which matters if you're freelance, a sole trader, or running your own business, as most people in the creative industries are. You'll need to show you're genuinely trading rather than looking for work.
What to say on the application
Be specific and don't minimise. Assessors respond to concrete examples, not to the diagnosis itself. "I struggle with organisation" tells them very little. "I missed two client deadlines last quarter because I couldn't hold the sequence of steps in my head, and I now rely on a colleague to break work down for me" tells them exactly what support would help.
Worth starting a running log of these as they happen, rather than trying to recall them cold on the call. Most people badly underestimate their own case because the incidents feel embarrassing rather than relevant. They're evidence, and they're the reason the grant exists.
How do I apply?
Apply online at GOV.UK or call the Access to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479. An adviser will contact you, usually by phone, to talk through your situation. For most ADHD applications an independent assessor then reviews your role and the barriers you're hitting, often over video call, and recommends the support.
How long does Access to Work take?
Longer than anyone would like. As of 2026, the wait from submitting your form to being contacted is running at around six months, and it's typically six to eight months before coaching actually starts. Worth applying sooner rather than when you're already at crisis point. If you're struggling now, we can start privately and switch over when the funding comes through.
What does it cover?
For awards made between April 2025 and March 2027 the maximum grant is £69,260 per person per year, though most ADHD-related awards are far smaller and shaped around your specific needs. Coaching is usually funded as a set number of sessions. It can also cover human support, which for a lot of people means a few hours of admin help a week, and that's worth asking for explicitly if admin is where you lose most.
Working with me through Access to Work
I'm an approved provider and I've taken Access to Work clients for years, so I know the process from the coach's side and can help you through the paperwork. Sessions are one hour, one-to-one, I provide you with an invoice for our sessions, which you opay and claim back online through the Access To Work portal. Please note that Access To Work are currently reducing rates for coaching, so your funding may not cover 100% of the cost. Please don’t let this put you off, as we can usually figure out a way to make it work.