West Midlands Ambulance Service is proud to be awarded Disability Confident Leader status in recognition for our work championing and supporting people with disabilities in the workplace, right from recruitment stages throughout their employment with the Trust including the following commitments:
- Inclusive and accessible recruitment
- Communicating vacancies
- Offering an interview to disabled people
- Providing reasonable adjustments
- Supporting existing employees
The Disability, Carers & Advocates (DCA) is the name for the West Midlands Ambulance Service support group for all staff who have a disability, are a carer or would act as a supporting advocate for either party. The purpose of the group is:
- To promote a positive approach to disability & caring responsibilities
- To address issues & topics that have arisen
- To provide best practice in terms of shared knowledge and understanding for the benefit of all staff
- To create a supportive, nurturing and inclusive environment where all members of staff with differing abilities are respected and acknowledged for their contribution.
To find out more or join the group contact John Eames, DCA Chair on john.eames@wmas.nhs.uk
Health Passport and Carer’s Passport
The Health Passport is a tool that documents information about a person’s health information or disability and the support that they need in the workplace to help them to do their role effectively.
The Carer Passport can be used to document a person’s caring responsibilities that they hold outside of work and any support that they may need at work in order to help them meet these caring responsibilities.
Both passports can then be shared with appropriate managers with all the relevant information in one place and can also be saved on an individual’s HR file. The passports can be updated should there be any change in circumstances.
The Carer’s passport has been developed in conjunction with the Trust’s Disability, Carers & Advocates Network.
Below is a presentation on when to use and support to complete Health and Carer Passports.
Click below to watch the presentation. You will need to select “slide show” from the top of the screen when the presentation loads and then click the “from the beginning” button. Ensure that your speakers are turned on to hear the voiceover.
Access To Work
Access to Work can help people to be able to stay in work if they have a physical or mental health condition or disability. Access to Work can provide people with the following support based on individual need;
- financial support to help pay for practical support in the workplace
- support with managing mental health at work
The support provided will be recommended following a workplace assessment with you, supported by your line manager. Recommendations may include equipment and software to help you do your job, as well as training and coaching skills.
When you are ready to start the process, click here to make an application to Access to Work.
Click on the image to the right to access an easy read guide detailing step by step help to making an application to Access to Work.
It is important that you let your manager know that you are making an application to Access to Work, so that they can be available to assist during the workplace assessment and discuss with you the report and recommendations identified.
Access to Work Mental Health Support
The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service delivered by Maximus, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, provides confidential mental health support for stress, anxiety, depression, low mood and much more, in the workplace at no cost.
This service helps anyone:
o In permanent or temporary employment (working or signed off sick)
o With a mental health concern (diagnosed or un-diagnosed) that is impacting performance or attendance at work
o With dedicated support for nine months, Maximus cover all the key things like coping strategies, workplace adjustments, practical advice and guidance, as well as a plan to return to work.
To refer to the service:
Please call Maximus directly on 0300 456 8114, email atw@maximusuk.co.uk or complete a 5 minute referral via our self-referral portal below:
Access To Work Mental Health Support Service | Get Help Today (maximusuk.co.uk)
Did you know that Calibre Audio offers free audiobooks to individuals who have difficulties reading print as a result of a disability or condition. The service is free to join and offers access to a wide range of audio books and podcasts including reading for enjoyment as well as educational and learning resources.
ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
CHANGING FACES – Visible Difference and Disfigurement
Who is Changing Faces?
Changing Faces is the UK leading charity for everyone who has a disfigurement or a scar, mark or condition on their face or body which affects their mental wellbeing.
We provide free support for adults, young people and children whose emotional, psychological, or quality of life has been affected by having a visible difference or disfigurement.
Who we support
We support anyone who is experiencing appearance-related distress. The size, severity or visibility of the disfigurement is not important, as we know that it is not necessarily an indicator of the impact it has on how someone may feel. Our wellbeing support services are aimed at people experiencing mild-to-moderate difficulties with their mental health or emotional wellbeing due to their condition. We are unable to support people with complex mental health issues e.g. severe trauma, body dysmorphic disorder, those in crisis, or at high risk of self-harm or suicidal behaviours.
To refer patients
Call 0300 012 0275 10am – 4pm, Monday to Friday
Disfigurement Wellbeing Services | Referrals | HSC Professionals (changingfaces.org.uk)
Refer A Patient To Our Skin Camouflage Service | Changing Faces