Investigating the case for supported employment

Supported employment is intended to provide individuals with disabilities or long term health conditions with the type of support they need to gain and sustain work in the open labour market. The Scottish Government is promoting supported employment, for example through the publication of The Framework for Supported Employment in Scotland (Feb 2010). However, recent work by The Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE) has shown there is still a lack of understanding amongst stakeholders about supported employment and its benefits. The objective of this research is to gain an increased understanding of employers’ perceptions of the benefits of supported employment and the barriers to developing supported employment schemes within the current policy context.

The project will consist of three phases:

1. Desk research including a review of the literature on supported employment.
2. Research with employers who are involved with supported employment.
3. Analysis of findings.

A seminar will be held bringing together policy makers, employers and voluntary organisation staff to discuss future challenges and possibilities for supported employment.

Document

Event

Funder

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

Project team