Disability Employment Support Service

About the Disability Employment Support Service (DESS)

The Disability Employment Support Service (DESS), based within the Equality & Human Rights Unit, provides dedicated support and guidance to disabled staff and line managers at the Education Authority.
We recognise that for many disabled people, their work can play a significant role in their life, their social interaction and fulfilment.
DESS aims to:
- Support colleagues in EA Corporate Services who have, or who acquire, a disability;
- Support colleagues in schools who have, or who acquire, a disability;
- Support the employment of disabled people in EA through supporting colleagues in EA Resourcing and developing and embedding placement schemes; and
- To support and build the capacity of line managers to support their colleagues.

Types of Support Available

DESS support a range of disabilities and long-term conditions, including:
- a physical disability, for example hard of hearing or use a wheelchair;
- a learning disability or related condition, for example Down’s syndrome;
- a developmental condition, like autism spectrum disorder;
- learning difficulties or differences like ADHD or dyslexia;
- an illness such as diabetes or epilepsy;
- a temporary condition, like a broken leg;
- a mental health condition, for example anxiety or depression.
Depending on your individual circumstances, and any information provided such as an Occupational Health report, there are a wide range of support adjustments which may be able to be put in place, for example:
- Specialised equipment;
- Communication support;
- Changes to how the role is carried out.

Accessing the Service

Making a Request for Support

A request for support can be made by an EA employee, their manager, or EA HR Services using the online form below.
When making the request please ensure you have any supporting documentation at hand. For example, an Occupational Health Report.
Supporting documentation must be emailed to [email protected] quoting the case number which will be generated when you submit the online form.
The DESS Team will get back to you within ten working days.

Make a Request

Queries

Requests for support should be submitted in the first instance via the online form above. However, if you have any other queries, please email DESS at email: [email protected]

Reasonable Adjustments

Following a request for support, and the individual needs of the employee, a Disability Passport may be created.
This is a key document which sets out the adjustments that have been put in place to support a disabled staff member.
It is reviewed on a regular basis, which allows the staff member and line manager to make sure adjustments are working as effectively as possible.
It also means that if the staff member changes jobs within EA, your new line manager will be aware of this information and can support accordingly.

Policy and Code of Practice on the Employment of People with Disabilities

pdf439.17 KB

Reasonable Adjustments Guidelines for Manager

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Reasonable Adjustment Passport

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Useful Contacts, External Organisations, and Support

The EA works in conjunction with outside bodies to provide help and support to disabled employees, and those seeking employment with our organisation.

Access to Work

Step by step guidance on how to complete an Access to Work (NI) application

The Access to Work (NI) Programme through the Department for Communities can help employers and employees with the practical issues that can arise as a result of disability. Access to Work offers advice and help in a flexible way that can be tailored to suit the needs of an individual in a particular job or getting to and from work.

When it has been established that an application to Access to Work is required please follow the following steps:

1. As this is a client driven process the employee will have to make the initial contact.

2. The Access to Work contact: email: [email protected] who will be able to assist and place the employee’s name on the Access to Work application list.

3. The employee will then hear back from an Access to Work Adviser. If the employee meets the criteria of the Access to Work programme at this stage they can outline their current position.

4. If the criteria of the Access to Work programme is met, and dependent on the nature of the underlying medical condition/s,
Access to Work would arrange a formal assessment (whilst there are no associated costs for the EA at this stage the cost of the formal assessment will be borne by Access to Work).

5. Once this is complete, Access to Work will send a formal report to the employee and Manager outlining its recommendations in relation to specialist equipment and potential provider. A copy of the formal report should be issued by the employee to EA’s Disability Employment Support Service (DESS) to enable the DESS team to continue to support the Manager to take forward.

6. Upon receipt of the formal report, the Manager should contact the Access to Work Adviser named on the report, to seek to explore if the Access to Work Scheme will agree any cost sharing arrangements. If there is no cost sharing available it is important to understand that the full costs will have to be borne from the Manager’s Budget.

7. Once the Manager has received the formal Letter of Offer they must sign it and return it as soon as possible. The Manager should ask for receipt of letter. The Manager should also read the letter of Offer carefully and follow any requirements. A One off Costs Claim which will come in the same email as the Letter of Offer and the Manager must also read this carefully as this form needs to be completed when returning the claim to Access to Work. It is advisable to complete the Electronic Funds Transfer form FAB 5 (EFT) as soon as possible as the Manager will need to ask Finance Directorate for the details.

8. Upon receipt of confirmation of the Letter of Offer the equipment can be ordered via EA Procurement processes. The report will usually outline a recommended provider and potential cost – at that time the Manager should take this information to the relevant EA Procurement Lead for support in the purchase of the equipment.

9. It is of paramount importance that the exact equipment as outlined in the Access to Work Report is purchased.

10. Once the Manager has received the purchase invoice the claim form should be completed and forwarded to Access to Work.

Contact Access to Work: [email protected]

NI Direct - Access to Work