2023 Conference - SUSE - Scottish Union of Supported Employment

This year’s annual conference , in partnership with Apt PSP, took place on Tuesday 16th May 2023 at BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.

Our theme was ‘The Inclusive Employer’ and it was a fantastic opportunity to bring together SUSE members, organisations and employers from across Scotland.

Here’s what the day looked like…

SUSE Annual Conference 2023 on Biteable.

Conference Overview

This document summarises the emerging themes from the day, including all the key discussions and learning points from the breakout sessions. Read it here: SUSE Annual Conference 2023 Overview

If you would prefer a Text Only version, please click the following link: SUSE Annual Conference 2023 Overview TEXT ONLY

Watch the speakers, panel discussion and main stage breakout sessions:

Sponsorship

We would like to thank our Sponsors and supporters, who helped to make the day as inclusive, engaging and interactive as possible for all delegates.

Our sponsors not only engaged with delegates on the day, but their participation allowed us to provide complimentary tickets and travel for our Experience Network and provide all the necessary assistive technology to ensure the day is as accessible as possible.

Thank you to our Headline Sponsor Diversity Scotland

This year’s Workshop Sponsors were Fedcap Scotland and ENABLE Works

We are also pleased to welcome the following organisations who exhibited at the conference:

British Association for Supported Employment (BASE)
DFN Project SEARCH
Values Into Action Scotland
Cole AD
Lugo IT
Fife Council, who recently achieved Disability Confident Level 3 Leader status

We would also like to thank our other supporters:

LAMH
Brett Nicholls Associates
The Alliance Scotland
Unite the Union Glasgow Not-for-profit branch
The James T Howat Charitable Trust

The Conference Day

It was another packed agenda! There were keynote speakers, a variety of workshops and, following feedback from last year, we also be offered selected training sessions as part of the day.

Please download our Conference Programme here:
SUSE Conference Programme 2023
Large font and Easy read versions are available.

Agenda:

9.00	Registration Opens / Workshop Selection
9.15	Morning Refreshments
9.45	Welcome – David Cameron, CEO of SUSE
9.50	Introducing the Inclusive Employer – Dr Danielle Farrel and Alyson Woodhouse
10.05	Apt Award Presentations
10.30	Keynote Speaker – Jenny Hinde, Board Director at The Clear Company
10.45	Breakout Session – Workshops 1-3
11.45	Refreshments
12.00	Panel Discussion – Do we need a new New Deal?
13.00	Lunch and Networking
14.00	Breakout Session – Workshops 4-6
15.00	Refreshments
15.15	Breakout Session – Workshops 7-9
16.15	Plenary and Closing Speech – Mike Brown, CEO and Creative Director, Maverick Games

Speakers:

Dr Danielle Farrel Managing Director of Your Options Understood
Chair of the Experience Network and Lived Experience Co-ordinator with Apt PSP

Alyson Woodhouse Experience Network Vice-Chair
Theatre Practitioner specialising in creating drama which is fully accessible for Blind and Visually Impaired audiences and performers.

Keynote Speaker
Jenny Hinde Board Director at The Clear Company
25 years’ experience as a HR and Change Director, leading successful global DEI programmes.

Mike Brown CEO and Creative Director, Maverick Games
Award winning creative director for Innovation in Accessibility.

Workshops:

There were 9 workshops available during the conference. Each delegate had the option of choosing 3 to attend.

Workshops were run by the University of Strathclyde, Values Into Action Scotland, Fraser of Allander, BASE, Cole AD, ENABLE Works, Fedcap Scotland, The Clear Company and 50 Degrees.

Full details of the workshops are available here.

Panel Discussion:

Do we need a new New Deal?
There are 5.3 million people of working age who are not currently in employment, a record number. In the run up to the general election 2024 we can expect a vigorous debate on how we can ensure everyone who wants to work has the opportunity to do so.

Ian Bruce, Equality Mainstreaming Manager (Skills Development Scotland) will be chairing the panel, which includes:

Catherine McWilliam, Nations Director – Scotland (Institute of Directors)
David MacDougall, Managing Consultant (50 Degrees)
Susan Paterson, Operations Director (Fedcap Scotland)
Lianne Williams, Depute Director (ENABLE Works)
Lewis Hedge, Interim Deputy Director, Fair Work and Labour Market Strategy (Scottish Government)

NEW for 2023 – The Apt Awards!

We are pleased to host the first Apt Award! These awards recognise organisations and individuals’ contributions towards creating inclusive workplaces and reducing the Disability Employment Gap.

The Winners were:

Apt Employer of the Year – Outstanding Commitment to Diversity – Into Work
Apt Employer Champions – organisations who have demonstrated progress in becoming a diverse workplace – Historic Environment Scotland and Ambassador Theatre Group
Diversity Champion – an individual who has led the way in their organisation – Michael Cusack, ACS Clothing Ltd and Amy Brydon, Borders College
Provider of the Year – an Apt Partner who has made a meaningful contribution to progressing the PSP and working towards a Centre of Excellence – Values Into Action Scotland (VIAS)
Outstanding Contributions to Apt – an individual who has made significant contributions within the PSP – Dr Danielle Farrel

What an inspiring group!