Launch of Supported Business quality mark

A new quality mark has been launched for Supported Businesses. The Social Enterprise Disabilty Employment Mark (SEDEM) has been designed specifically for the supported business sector, with the aim of providing assurance for commissioners/funding bodies and disabled people on the specialist supportive environment provided for employees with disabilities.

This new Mark, which was developed with the Supported Business Steering Group, following discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), builds on the experience and evidence of the government Disability Confident scheme, existing Social Enterprise Mark CIC accreditations, as well as the customs and practices of the Supported Business community as exemplar employers and businesses.

“We are really excited to announce the launch of our newest products. This marks a key milestone for us in our work with the Supported Business Steering Group, as well as DWP.” says Lucy Findlay, founding Managing Director of Social Enterprise Mark CIC.

“We hope that this accreditation will become a yardstick for businesses that wish prove their credentials in creating the most supportive environment for employing disabled people, as well as demonstrating their social value. We are particularly pleased to see take-up from some of the leaders in this field and hope that more will follow as we work with DWP and Steering Group to refine the details.”

The eight organisations involved in the pilot phase for the new Mark include CLARITY, one of the UK’s oldest social enterprises, and Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, a division of Royal British Legion Industries, which provides employment opportunities to members of the Armed Forces community.

Geoff Streetley, Managing Director of BBMC, said:

“As a socially-thriving, commercial enterprise now in its 100th year of providing crucial employment support to injured veterans and people with disabilities, we are immensely proud to have been awarded the Social Enterprise Disability Employment Mark. This mark is the recognition of our commitment to improve the lives of people in need of support, each and every day.”

Following initial testing of SEDEM with a number of local authorities, a separate accreditation, the Local Authority Disability Employment Mark (LADEM), is being introduced, to recognise the specific benefits of supported businesses that are embedded in Local Authorities. County Print Finishers, part of Oxfordshire County Council, and Tremorvah Industries (part of Cornwall County Council) are involved in the pilot phase for this Mark.

“County Print Finishers was keen to achieve the Local Authority Disability Employment Mark to demonstrate our commitment to help people with a disability in Oxfordshire to find and stay in work, whilst also promoting excellent standards in the supported employment sector” says Will Gardner, Unit Manager at County Print Finishers.

Full information on these new Marks and how to apply, along with case studies on the pioneering recipients can be found on the Social Enterprise Mark CIC website