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Quality in Supported Employment

Background to the Supported Employment Quality Framework

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 employment agencies. BASE adapted the full SEQF to a model fidelity version, in 2018 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 assess how closely their service delivery is following all aspects of the 5-stage supported employment model, which is also known as model fidelity. To ensure, model fidelity remains fit for purpose and robust BASE re-evaluated this quality framework again in 2024.

Why use the SEQF model fidelity® tool?

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.

Free Resources

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.

BASE and Inclusive Trading CIC have collaborated with the University of Strathclyde and the University of Sheffield to develop a set of free resources. There are nine videos as well as downloadable resources in pdf format which are designed to help Supported Employment providers better understand, deliver, and evidence high-quality supported employment provision.

 SEQF Model Fidelity Assessment and Audit

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.

Visit the SEQF Model Fidelity External Assessment page to learn more 

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