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About the Scottish Union Of Supported Employment
 









 

The Scottish Union of Supported Employment is an umbrella organisation for public, private and voluntary bodies interested in supported employment, social inclusion and the changeover from traditional resource centre based day services to programmes in the community.

The organisation was established in 1995 and for the next three years was run by volunteers who worked hard to establish an infrastructure, culminating in December 1998 with the award of £138.000 of National Lottery funding. This has been the catalyst for other funding and we now have financial backing from the Bank of Scotland.

With the influx of lottery funding SUSE has embarked on an ambitious programme of support and events for the membership which has included:

  • A National Co-ordinator for on-call support
  • The creation of this website
  • A national directory of Supported Employment providers
  • Workshops and seminars and a comprehensive range of training events, including:

    • Basic Jobcoaching techniques
    • Jobseeking & marketing skills
    • Employment law

  • Membership of the European Union of Supported Employment, and
  • A National Conference, each year, rotated throughout Scotland

This programme of events culminated in March 2001 with the 5th European Union of Supported Employment Conference at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre with over 600 delegates from East and West Europe and major speakers from around the world.

Structure

The structure of SUSE is:

  • Membership - This can be on an individual basis or an organisational basis with between 3-5 representatives

  • Local Networks - Members are encouraged to set up local networks in their home area. Networks are now well established in Lothian, Tayside, Glasgow, Central, Ayrshire and Highland and provide an opportunity for members to discuss issues relevant to their own needs

  • General Meetings - These meetings are held every 3 months, around Scotland, and cover national topics plus the general running issues of SUSE. After each meeting there is a guest speaker on a particular aspect of supported employment

  • Management Committee - Each year at the Annual General Meeting a Management Committee is elected to undertake the general running of SUSE. At present this committee can have a membership of 15 representatives nominated from the networks

  • National Co-ordinator – This post acts as the Secretariat for SUSE


Timeline

  • 1994 - Major conference in St.Andrews sponsored by Enable, to discuss Supported Employment in Scotland

  • 1995 Steering group set up to form a forum for organisations interested in Supported Employment. Eventually named Scottish Union of Supported Employment.

  • 1996 Groundwork undertaken to set up area network, devise Constitution and set Development Plan.

  • 1997 Charitable Status achieved allowing SUSE to seek external funding

  • 1998 Application made to the National Lottery Charities Board for a National Co-ordinator for 3 years. In December SUSE was informed it had been successful

  • 1999 SUSE awarded the 5th EUSE conference in 2OOl. National Co-ordinator appointed. 1st National Conference in Dundee in October 1999.

  • 2000 2nd National Conference held in Edinburgh. SUSE became a company limited by guarantee

  • 2001 5th European Union of Supported Employment held in the EICC, Edinburgh in March. 650 delegates attended from 37 countries. Speakers included the First Minister for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Scotland. 3rd National Conference held in Nairn

  • 2002 Second application made to the Community Fund and funding gained to May 2005. 4th National Conference to be held in the St.Andrews Bay Golf Resort and Spa.
This website is jointly sponsored by The Community Fund ,
The Bank of Scotland and Company-Net.