The British Association for Supported Employment

BASE was formed in 2006 through the merger of the National Association of Supported Employment and Association for Supported Employment. Both associations had been active in the area of supported employment in the UK since the early 1990's. It was felt that a unified voice was essential to protect the interests of the industry and to develop best practice within it.

BASE currently represents over 200 agencies throughout the country and is committed both to supporting these and to encouraging new ones to develop. As an independent member organisation, BASE is open to any agency delivering supported employment services in the UK. Affiliated membership is open to any individual or organisation who is interested but not delivering supported employment services.

BASE is concerned with establishing collective action on national issues that cannot be addressed by individual agencies and members. As a priority, the Association developed a nationally accepted definition of Supported Employment. This still offers a guideline to good practice, with its basic requirement that employment should mean integration into a regular work setting.

The Association has formal memoranda and articles and is a company limited by guarantee with charitable aims.

BASE currently has a National Executive Committee to lead the Association's development work in areas of concern to the membership: service development; employer and trades union relations; welfare benefits; relations with Government Departments; European issues; fund-raising; marketing of Supported Employment; regional networking; and service standards. The NEC is elected by the regions.

BASE supports regional activity through six regional networks. These regions largely correspond to regional government areas. Each regional network meets quarterly and BASE makes funds available for regional activity and events.

The Aims of the Association:

  • To assist people with disabilities by encouraging the provision of support into employment.
  • To endorse and promote quality standards in the delivery of Supported Employment.
  • To nurture and encourage the setting up of new supported employment services.
  • To promote the training of supported employment personnel throughout the UK.
  • To provide a regular, detailed information, advisory and development service to association members.
  • To liaise and negotiate with national and international government and non-government organisations to promote the aims of the Association.

The benefits of membership

  • A lobby for sustainable policy and funding
  • A dedicated website with the latest news and developments
  • Access to best practice and support
  • A strong national voice with regional practitioner networks
  • Networking opportunities and a substantial discount at our annual conferences
  • Quarterly newsletter
  • Involvement in Government consultations

Membership categories

Full membership is available for agencies that have a direct involvement in providing supported employment activities and who agree to the BASE aims and definition of supported employment. Full membership entitles members to vote on proposals at our annual AGM and to elect regional representatives to the NEC. Agencies are only entitled to one vote per membership fee. Full membership is available to national, regional and local organisations.

Affiliated membership is available to individuals and organisations with an interest in supported employment and who agree to the aims and definitions in the BASE constitution. Affiliated membership does not carry voting rights.

Membership rates (annual from 1st April)

For details of membership rates please visit the page on joining us.