Fidelity Assurance In Connect to Work

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Discover how fidelity assurance underpins the quality and consistency of Connect to Work services across England and Wales. This page explores how IPS and SEQF standards drive continuous improvement, inclusive employment and meaningful outcomes for people facing barriers to work.

BASE/Inclusive Trading are delighted to be working in collaboration with Social Finance, supporting the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in the delivery of Connect to Work, a central programme within the Government’s Get Britain Working Strategy. Running from August 2025 to March 2030, this national contract is designed to ensure that Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) services across England and Wales are delivered to the highest standards.

Fidelity at the Heart of Quality

Quality assurance is central to the success of Connect to Work. To ensure services are delivered consistently and to the highest standards, the programme will be underpinned by the IPS Fidelity Scale and BASE’s Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).

Together, these models provide a structured way of reviewing practice, identifying strengths, and guiding improvement across both IPS and SEQF services.

IPS Fidelity Reviews: Each year, Social Finance’s IPS Grow team will assess how closely IPS services align with the IPS fidelity scale. The scale offers a clear set of standards against which services can measure their practice, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for development. Reviews focus on principles such as rapid job search, integration with partner services, and ongoing support once employment is secured.
SEQF Reviews: BASE will apply the Supported Employment Quality Framework to services delivering supported employment through Connect to Work. SEQF offers a structured way to evaluate service quality across supported employment provision, providing benchmarks, highlighting strengths, and identifying areas for growth.

Following both IPS fidelity and SEQF reviews, services will take part in Communities of Practice. These collaborative forums allow services to reflect on findings, share learning, and explore solutions together. Outcomes from these sessions will then inform tailored SMART action plans, ensuring improvements are embedded in practice and drive continuous development across the programme.

Adapted Language

As an essential first step, Social Finance and BASE have convened Expert Reference Groups to refine the language used in the Fidelity Scales. These included IPS and SEQF services, experts by experience, DWP, CfMH, Commissioners, Employers and Research Professionals. The adaptation of the language ensures terminology resonates with the unique context of Connect to Work services, while the integrity of the scales themselves remains unchanged.

Please see the adapted language scales with additional guidance, tailored to Connect to Work via the links below:

Editable Version IPS fidelity scale for Connect to Work (CtW)

SEQF CtW Self-Assessment Document (Dec 2025)

Driving Inclusive Employment

Connect to Work is voluntary and aims to support people with health conditions and those facing complex barriers to employment. It also helps people at risk of losing their jobs to retain employment and remain economically active. By embedding both IPS fidelity and SEQF assurance into the programme, Social Finance and BASE are ensuring that services meet evidence-based standards, uphold sector-wide quality, and continuously evolve to deliver meaningful, lasting impact.

Inclusive Trading delivers training on the Supported Employment Quality Framework which is suitable for Managers of Connect to Work services – see the latest courses

Further Resources

Connect to Work

Get Britain Working Strategy