The Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) was created to help drive continuous improvement across the sector. 

Originally developed in partnership with colleagues across Europe in 2017 as part of an ERASMUS Project. The main objective of the project was to improve services for vulnerable job seekers, employees and their employers by creating a quality framework for supported employement agencies.

In 2018, BASE adapted the full SEQF to the model fidelity version, to improve quality within the sector. 
The SEQF Model Fidelity concentrates on the 5 stages of supported employment, with Business Results and Key Performance Indicators embedded within, so services can asess how closely their service delvery is following all aspects of the 5-stage supported employment model, which is also known as model fidelity. 

Evidence shows that closely following the stages of the model and embedding the values of supported employment leads to better outcomes for individuals and employers. What separates the Supported Employment model from other types of employment support are the underpinning vales and National Occupational Standards which are at the heart of all delivery.

The SEQF model fidelity is intended to establish a core set of values and quality standards that supported employment service providers should uphold. The model was developed with the notion that supported employment services should ensure that everyone with a disability and/or neurodivergence seeking paid employment receive high-quality support to find, maintain, and flourish in well-matched employment. Employers seeking to promote workforce diversity should also receive high-quality assistance for making reasonable adjustments and meeting their business goals. 

The SEQF Model Fidelity tool is free to use and if your organisation is committed to focusing on quality outcomes, then undertaking a self-assessment is a great place to start.

However if you wish to demonstrate the quality of your service to commissioners, jobseekers and employers, Inclusive Trading on behalf of  BASE can evaluate your self-assessment, provide you with a score and action plan to further support your continuous improvement journey. By evaluating the provider's adherence to the SEQF model fidelity, the assessment can certify the quality of the provider's supported employment services to job seekers, employers, and commissioners. 

In 2024, BASE modified the tool further to ensure it remains fit for purpose and robust to deliver quality supported employment.

What is a SEQF Model Fidelity external assessment?

An SEQF external assessment takes place over two days and is carried out in collaboration with you at your service by two Assessors who are experts in the SEQF Supported Employment model and in carrying out SEQF external assessments. An SEQF external assessment has two key purposes.

1. The external assessment enables SEQF providers to receive an externally validated score of the current fidelity of their service across each element of the SEQF model fidelity. This helps services to benchmark their service, understand its strengths and development needs, and potentially to receive SEQF fidelity recognition.
2. The SEQF external assessment enables services to be supported in a process of continual SEQF improvement. It is a constructive external assessment that encourages self-reflection and that is oriented towards supporting services in on-going improvement journeys. Whilst services will naturally be focused on their current fidelity score, more importantly moving forwards is that services engage with the external assessment as part of an on-going process of reflection and improvement.

Read more about the step by step process of a SEQF Model Fidelity external assessment process 

Further Resources 

SEQF Full Version 

SEQF Model Fidelity Assessment Guide (2024) 

Downloadable SEQF Assessment Tool (2024) 

Regulations, Terms and Conditions of SEQF Model Fidelity 

BASE and Inclusive Trading CIC have been working collaboratively with the University of Strathclyde and the University of Sheffield to develop a set of resources that are designed to help Supported Employment providers better understand, deliver, and evidence high-quality supported employment provision.

Videos on SEQF Model Fidelity (coming soon)