ADHD coaching through Access to Work
If ADHD affects your work, the government's Access to Work scheme may pay for coaching. Here is how it works with Kavana, step by step.
The short version
- It's a grant You do not pay it back.
- No diagnosis needed ADHD is one of the conditions the scheme covers.
- You need to be in work Employed, self-employed or about to start, in England, Scotland or Wales.
- It takes time Decisions can take several months, so apply early.
How it works with Kavana
- Apply on GOV.UK Apply online and name Kavana as the coaching provider you would like. You'll need your employer's details and a work contact.
- We send a quote and session plan A short document for your application: how many sessions we suggest, what they'll focus on, and the cost.
- Your assessment and decision An Access to Work adviser talks to you about your job and what is hard, then decides what to fund.
- Coaching starts One-to-one sessions by video, with the same coach each time.
- Payment We invoice your employer, who pays and claims the money back. If you're self-employed, we invoice you and you claim it yourself.
What coaching for work focuses on
Planning and prioritising, starting tasks, meetings and email, deadlines, and managing energy across the week. Each session ends with one small thing to try before the next. About coaching
Tips for your application
- Bring real examples "I miss details in long email threads and it has led to mistakes" helps more than "I struggle to concentrate".
- Say what would help Specific suggestions, like work-focused coaching, are easier to fund.
- Talk to your employer early Especially about how invoices and claims will work.
Common questions
Can I start coaching before my application is approved?
You can, but Access to Work does not usually pay for support arranged before it was approved. Check with your adviser first, or pay for your first sessions yourself.
Does my employer need to know about my ADHD?
Access to Work contacts your employer as part of the application, but you choose how much you share about your health. We only share what is needed to arrange and invoice your sessions.
Scheme rules change, so always check the current details on GOV.UK. Read our full guide to Access to Work and ADHD.