LSE Workplace Adjustments Funding

The central fund was established to ensure disabled employees feel confident requesting adjustments, knowing that dedicated support is available. It also promotes consistency across departments, and helps signpost employees to support options, such as Access to Work. By providing a clear, streamlined process, the central workplace adjustments funding aims to simplify the approval of workplace adjustments, ensuring timely access to the support staff need. 

Central funding for individual staff reasonable adjustments is available to help cover the following costs:  

• School contributions towards Access to Work grants (for grants up to £10,000 this is usually the first £1,000 plus 20% of any specialist equipment, assistive technology, software and training)  
• Interim support from a workplace strategy coach, coping strategies coach or mentor (offered while an Access to Work application is being processed)  
• Specialist equipment requirements beyond the remit of Health and Safety’s workstation assessment process which provides ergonomic equipment  
• Assistive software, technology and training.  

Should funding for an adjustment be agreed, local areas are normally expected to meet any costs up to £500. The Workplace Adjustments Funding can provide a greater contribution of the cost where needed, particularly for those areas under greater budgetary constraints.  

• Ongoing support worker needs, including job aides, lip speakers and BSL interpreters  
• Travel to work costs.    

Please see the Access to Work Toolkit for more information about this scheme.  

regarding changes to the built environment required as workplace adjustments, such as:   

• Installation of ramps   
• Automatic doors   
• Lifts   
• Adjustments to lighting  
• Handles or light switches that need lowering.   

Contact Estates

(Health.and.Safety@lse.ac.uk) to arrange a workstation assessment if standard ergonomic office equipment is required, such as a keyboard, mouse, adjustable desk or office chair.  

Please see the Health and Safety webpages for more information.  

In order to request Workplace Adjustments Funding, employees are advised to initially discuss the request with their line manager/agreed management contact (for academics this might be their Department, Centre or Institute Manager) and consider the criteria and guidance provided on this webpage.   

Once these considerations are made, an email request can be sent to the Staff Disability and Mental Health Adviser via l.h.mu@lse.ac.uk, with the following information:  

• A brief description of what the funding is for, and how it will support the employee.   
• Details of any specific equipment, support, or adjustments requested, including links to particular items or suppliers if available.  
• The amount of funding requested for the adjustment(s).  
• How the adjustment needs were identified —(for example: self-identified by employee, via Access to Work, Occupational Health assessment, diagnostic report, medical advice, or a workstation/workplace needs assessment). 
• Confirmation of whether the employee has applied or intends to apply to Access to Work.  

What happens once the request has been submitted?  

The Staff Disability and Mental Health Adviser will review the request for funding and aims to respond within five working days with an outcome and next steps.   

For any queries in relation to Workplace Adjustments Funding at LSE please contact:  

• Lucy Mu, Staff Disability and Mental Health Adviser via l.h.mu@lse.ac.uk  
• HR Partnering Team