The 2-week commercial alternative to Access to Work.
Are you responsible for organising Access to Work (AtW) support for colleague(s) within your organisation? If so, trying to keep things moving is probably occupying more time than you can spare.
It’s a shame, but the AtW scheme is in disarray and there are no shortcuts to getting a satisfactory outcome. Indeed, many people are finding the long delays are followed by far-from-satisfactory conclusions.
2 week delivery
Single point of contact
A tailored, proportionate solution
A Faster, Smarter Alternative for Getting Colleagues Back to Supported Work
We have a commercial alternative. We can’t offer funding but we can offer prompt responses, high quality assessments, pragmatic solutions and rapid completions with a single point of contact to ensure you always know what’s happening. There may be a cost to your organisation but improved communications, reduced stress, rapid responses and quality customer service will get your colleague(s) into productive, supported work in a fraction of the time.
Thousands are stuck waiting for Access to Work support.
Access to Work is under significant pressure. Tens of thousands of applications are in the system, with users reporting long delays and communication challenges. There’s widespread concern about cutbacks, and reports suggest more changes may be on the horizon.
Organisations such as the Access to Work Consortium, alongside many charities and advocacy groups, are working hard to push for improvements. But even with their efforts, it’s unlikely we’ll see a fast or comprehensive fix. That is of little comfort if you need workplace support now.
So, we’ve taken a pragmatic approach. We’ve developed an alternative pathway, our Accelerated Outcome Process (AOP), designed for employers and individuals who want a faster, more predictable route to the support they need.
Why take the AOP route?
A faster, more pragmatic alternative to the Access to Work scheme
Simpler, more transparent than Access to Work, with a single point of contact
For large employers, often more cost-effective than AtW, even without government subsidy
Tailored solutions for a more proportionate, cost-effective outcome
Decades of experience in workplace ergonomics and support
Also suitable for those already using the Access to Work programme
Accelerated Outcome Process: How it works
From first call to final recommendations, AOP guides you to faster, clearer workplace outcomes.
1: Free consultation
Run by our experts virtually or at your premises
2: Tailored assessment
Developed and delivered in 2 weeks
3: Guided Implementation
With advice from our experienced team
Access to Work vs Accelerated Outcome Process
AOP gives you clear, proportionate recommendations in weeks, not months, while helping Access to Work stay focused on complex cases.
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Access to Work | AOP | |
|---|---|---|
Typical timeline | 6-12+ months | Delivered in 2 weeks |
Points of contact | Multiple contacts | Single point of contact |
Admin overhead | High | Low |
Funding | Government funded | Transparent, flexible pricing |
Best for | Long-term, complex needs | Urgent, proportionate solutions |
Our pricing
Since no two situations are the same, every assessment begins with a conversation about the individual and their working environment. The prices shown below are a guide to what most assessments require.
Workplace Needs Assessment
A comprehensive review of the employee, their role, and any barriers that may affect performance or wellbeing.
£395+VAT
Complex Needs Assessment
For situations involving multiple conditions, specialist requirements, or adjustments that need deeper investigation.
FROM £595+VAT
Understanding your needs
We confirm the exact scope before any work begins, so you always know what you are authorising. We keep our pricing transparent and predictable. We also offer flexibility for employers with ongoing needs or for organisations trying our service for the first time. If you are unsure which assessment is appropriate, our team will guide you so you commission only what is necessary.
Leading businesses choose us:
“Moving away from the traditional Access to Work route has significantly improved the way we support our colleagues. The workplace needs assessments we’ve accessed have been faster, more targeted, and better aligned to the specific needs of our people. The service has been efficient, cost-effective, and focused on delivering practical outcomes, without unnecessary complexity. It’s helped us take a more proactive, values-led approach to inclusion and wellbeing.”
Zoe Minkin,
Health and Safety Manager
Your one-stop shop for workplace wellbeing and ergonomics
Complementing AOP is a full suite of services, spanning expert wellbeing consultancy, strategic coaching and training, advanced ergonomic and workplace-environment design, and a full product supply and installation service.
Request a free, no-obligation consultation
Is the Accelerated Outcome Process a replacement for Access to Work?
No. The Accelerated Outcome Process (AOP) is a commercial offering provided by Osmond Ergonomics & Wellbeing. It is not connected to the government-funded Access to Work (AtW) scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). As such, it is a streamlined and effective alternative to AtW but it does not replace it.
Will AOP replace the role of Occupational Health professionals?
No. AOP is designed to support and enhance the role of Occupational Health professionals. You remain fully in control of clinical recommendations and the client or colleague relationship. We provide faster assessments, clearer communication, and practical workplace recommendations that help you deliver better outcomes without adding to your workload.
Who pays for the AOP service?
The applicant’s employer covers the cost of the AOP service, including any products recommended. Although AOP does not include government funding, it provides a faster and more accountable route to the right support. By reducing delays, cutting administrative effort, and helping people stay in or return to work sooner, AOP often results in a more proportionate and cost-effective outcome overall.
How quickly can we get an assessment and recommendations?
We respond to the initial enquiry within 48 hours and, typically, an assessment (face-to-face or virtual) can be scheduled within two weeks, subject to client availability. In more complex cases, it may take a little longer to ensure our assessor is fully qualified and experienced to address the client’s needs comprehensively.
What kinds of workplace needs can AOP help with?
Our team of highly experienced assessors and support personnel are equipped to handle cases involving mental and/or physical health issues. These include musculoskeletal conditions, neurodiversity, vision and/or hearing impairment, menopause, sleep deprivation and mental health. Our trainers and coaches provide coping mechanisms and specific training about assistive technology, communications, time management and similar issues our clients encounter. Client programmes are assembled from a wide portfolio of products and services to create a bespoke plan for every individual.
Can you step me through all touch points?
We provide a full end-to-end service. From referral through assessment, recommendations, sourcing, implementation and follow-up, making us your single point of contact. Many of our clients value this approach as it removes internal administration, reduces delays, and provides clarity and accountability throughout the process. We can also align with your own internal procedures and governance. Since nearly all of our customers are much larger organisations than ours, we have learned to be agile and respond to client needs. All our services are based on robust core processes with customer-specific adjustments to ensure clear communications and frictionless operations.
How do you work alongside Occupational Health?
We have worked closely with OH teams for decades and appreciate that this is a critical relationship. We will adhere to the lines of communication you specify. There is always an initial learning curve with new clients, but we quickly come to understand how you operate, what you expect and the mode, nature and frequency of communication. We are used to aligning our outputs with client needs and will ensure the outcomes we deliver align practically and proportionally to your organisational needs.
Can you source equipment/training/coaching directly?
Yes, we can source equipment, assistive technology, training and coaching directly. This allows you to work with us as a single supplier from an invoicing and governance perspective. Where clients prefer to use existing internal or preferred suppliers, we are also able to work within those arrangements.
What are your qualifications?
We use a vetted network of assessors with a wide range of qualifications, including Ergonomists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Health professionals, Vision and Hearing Loss specialists, Psychologists and more. We triage at the beginning of every referral, enabling us to match an appropriate assessor to the requirements of the individual.
What would flip someone from workplace needs to complex?
A Workplace Needs Assessment (WNA) involves a structured conversation with an individual that usually arises out of a specific condition or requirement (e.g. ADHD, menopause, mental health). It will also take into account similar co-dependent considerations (e.g. dyslexia with ADHD, mental health with autism, etc.). A Complex Needs Assessment (CNA) usually arises when the situation has been ongoing, previous assessment(s) have failed to address the issue(s) or specific, specialist knowledge is required of the assessor (e.g. vision impairment). A CNA will involve a longer observational process and may involve other stakeholders. Where a WNA will usually involve an immediate implementation plan, a CNA may involve a phased, prioritised sequence of events with review measures built in.