About two years ago the Scottish Government commissioned a review into supported employment services across the country, and the findings of this were published in late 2022. The final document included 9 recommendations, including a number that SUSE had promoted, and we were very happy to see them taken up. In early 2023 SUSE brought together its members to discuss the review and our response to it, with a view to influencing the rollout and implementation of the recommendations.
A Watershed Moment for Supported Employment in Scotland
Unfortunately there has been little progress with this and we are waiting to see what the Scottish Government proposes to do next. But we are optimistic that the review can be a watershed moment for Supported Employment services in Scotland and that it will lead to a renewed commitment to these vital services that play such an important role in ensuring that disabled people have an opportunity of paid work that meets their expectations and ambitions.
The review endorsed the SUSE initiatives to develop a Supported Employment Guarantee and a Quality Standard for Supported Employment in Scotland. It suggested that a steering group be established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations. We understand that the Scottish Government will take this forward but don’t know the mechanism for doing this. SUSE is keen to participate and to ensure our members voices are heard as any new initiatives introduced.
The review also highlighted the Apt Disability Employment Gap PSP as a suitable mechanism for improving how employers attract recruit and retain disabled people ultimately with a view to making a significant impact on the employment gap. We hope that the government will take this on board and that it will increase the likelihood of them commissioning an employer focus service in the future. It also confirms our belief that a Centre of Excellence is needed for Scotland’s employers that builds on the learning from the PSP and connects employers to the many expert providers that can support them to diversify the workforces.
SUSE will continue to lobby for the recommendations of the Supported Employment Review to be implemented in full by the government and we will seek out opportunities for our members to participate in this important process.
In Summary:
- The Supported Employment Review is welcome and could be a watershed moment for services and providers in Scotland.
- The Scottish Government now need to implement the Supported Employment Review recommendations in full.
- New resources will be needed to implement the recommendations and SUSE and its members will lobby for this.
- The Supported Employment Review endorsed a number of initiatives that SUSE and its members have developed and we will work to have these introduced in due course.
If you would like to discuss this further please contact David Cameron, SUSE CEO at david@susescotland.scot
