Support workers

Despite the developments in technology, there may be aspects of your job that you cannot do because of your sight loss. In this instance you may consider using a support worker to help with these tasks.

It is important to remember that a support worker isn't there to do your job for you, neither is the person there as an extra free member of staff for your employer.

Possible areas of support

Your exact needs for using a support worker will depend on your area of work, but generally a support worker will be able to offer help with:

• reading
• completing tasks that need to be hand written
• driving
• guiding
• describing diagrams

Funding

The Access to Work scheme (AtW) covers all the costs of recruiting and employing a support worker. 

Employing a support worker

If you secure funding for a support worker from AtW, there are several options in how you can employ them. For details on these options, as well as information on recruiting, employing, and managing a support worker, download our "staying in work" factsheet:

• Staying in work factsheet (Word, 1MB)