You have been approved for Access to Work job coaching. You have a set number of sessions. Now what?
Access to Work funding is valuable, and the sessions go quickly. Here is how to make sure you get the most from them.
Be clear about what you want to work on
Access to Work job coaching is focused on workplace challenges. Before your first session, think about the things that are causing you the most difficulty at work right now. Common ones include:
- Missing deadlines or underestimating how long tasks take
- Feeling overwhelmed by a large or varied workload
- Difficulty prioritising when everything feels urgent
- Struggling with admin, paperwork, or email
- Problems with concentration in open-plan or noisy environments
- Finding it hard to communicate your needs to your manager
You do not need to have it all figured out before the first session. That is what coaching is for. But having a starting point helps.
Be honest about what is hard
Coaching works best when you can be open. If you are masking at work, pretending things are fine when they are not, or compensating in ways that are exhausting, say so. Your coach is not there to judge. They are there to help you find a better way.
Try things between sessions
Coaching is not just what happens in the session. The real progress comes from trying strategies in your actual working week and reporting back on what worked and what did not. If something does not work, that is useful information, not failure.
Talk to your employer
Access to Work job coaching is most effective when your employer is aware and supportive. You do not need to share everything, but letting your manager know that you are receiving workplace coaching and may be trying new approaches can make it easier to put strategies into practice.
Some adjustments, like flexible working hours, a quieter workspace, or written instructions instead of verbal ones, may need your employer’s involvement.
Keep track of what works
Write down the strategies that help. After your sessions end, you will want a reference you can come back to. A simple list of “things that work for me” is one of the most valuable outcomes of coaching.
When I work with clients 1:1, I supply a session summary after each session. The strategies, decisions, and next steps are captured for you, not left to memory.
If you have been approved for Access to Work and are looking for an ADHD coach, book a free discovery session so we can map your goals for the sessions. If you are not yet approved or not sure whether you might be eligible, the Access to Work and ADHD guide explains the route in detail.
Book Your Free Discovery Session
About Linda Fox
Linda Fox is an ICF-ACC credentialled Adult ADHD Life & Business Coach (CALC) with 26+ years of experience and lived experience of ADHD herself. She works with entrepreneurs, solicitors, and business owners, helping them build practical strategies that fit how their brain actually works. UK-based, coaching worldwide via Zoom.
