2026 European Supported Employment Conference

2026 European Employment Conference

Book Tickets Online

Book Tickets online
View Full Programe
Become a memberJoin us
Book a course

Strategic Priorities 2024–2027

Driving quality, influence and inclusive employment forward.

BASE’s strategic plan sets out how we will champion evidence-based Supported Employment, strengthen quality, influence policy and funding, support employers, and work in partnership to embed inclusion across the system.

About BASE
Become a member

Working in partnership 

Strategic partnerships are central to delivering our aims. We work with partners across: 

Employment and skills 
Health, education and social care
Business and employer networks 

to ensure Supported Employment is embedded wherever employment decisions are made. 

1. Promote the Supported Employment model

We will clearly articulate the Supported Employment model and its evidence base for key audiences across the sector.

Key audiences

  • Policymakers and commissioners
  • Employers and employer networks
  • Providers and practitioners

This includes translating complexity into practical, usable guidance.

2. Strengthen quality and model fidelity

We will continue to promote the frameworks, approaches and learning that strengthen quality across Supported Employment delivery.

Key focus areas

  • The Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF)
  • Quality assurance and improvement approaches
  • Learning informed by data, experience and research

Our focus is on supporting consistency, sustainability and confidence in Supported Employment delivery.

3. Influence policy and funding

We will work across government and national bodies to influence programmes, challenge weak approaches and support commissioning rooted in quality.

Policy priorities

  • Promote evidence-based employment programmes
  • Challenge approaches that do not deliver outcomes
  • Advocate for commissioning that prioritises quality and fidelity

Our policy work reflects lived experience, practice expertise and research evidence.

4. Support employers to deliver inclusive employment

We will support employers to move from intention to action through practical, partnership-based approaches to inclusive employment.

Employer priorities

  • Develop inclusive recruitment approaches
  • Work in partnership with local Supported Employment providers
  • Move from commitment to practical action

Employers are recognised as essential partners within the Supported Employment model.

5. Build the case for investment in inclusion

We will continue to develop and promote the strongest possible case for investment in inclusive employment and diverse workforces.

Investment priorities

  • The economic and social case for diverse workforces
  • Evidence that inclusion improves business performance and retention
  • Approaches that move beyond tokenism towards sustainable employment

Our focus is on building a clearer, stronger case for long-term investment in inclusion that delivers lasting outcomes.

6. Strengthen communities of practice

We will invest in bringing people together across the sector to strengthen shared learning, confidence and workforce development.

Communities of practice

  • Providers and practitioners
  • Employers and employer leads
  • Commissioners and system partners

This will help share learning, build confidence and support workforce development across the sector.

Working in partnership

Strategic partnerships help turn ambition into action.

Strategic partnerships are central to delivering our aims. We work with partners across employment and skills, public services, and employer networks to ensure Supported Employment is embedded wherever employment decisions are made.

That means stronger connections, clearer pathways and more consistent delivery, so Supported Employment is not just supported in principle but built into practice.

We work with partners across three key areas.

  1. Employment and skills Working with partners who shape workforce development, skills provision and routes into employment.
  2. Health, education and social care Supporting more joined-up practice across services that influence access, progression and long-term outcomes.
  3. Business and employer networks Building relationships that help inclusive employment become practical, visible and sustainable in real workplaces.

Looking ahead

Keeping Supported Employment central to reform.

This Strategic Plan reflects BASE’s commitment to evidence-based practice, quality and accountability, and collaboration that supports meaningful system change.

We will continue to act on behalf of our members and the people they support to ensure Supported Employment remains central to inclusive labour market reform.

Our commitment

  • Evidence-based practice Grounding decisions, delivery and reform in evidence that supports better outcomes.
  • Quality and accountability Promoting high standards, consistency and confidence across Supported Employment delivery.
  • Collaboration and system change Working across partners and systems so inclusive employment is embedded in practice, not just in principle.

Next steps

Explore the plan, the model and the wider work that sits behind these priorities.