European Union of Supported Employment What we have achieved Robert Elston Treasurer

EUSE: Development & Progress Updated Constitution Each National Association has a voting right Code of Conduct/Responsibilities Terms of reference for office bearers Standards of etiquette at EUSE Council meetings Cluster Group Formation UK/Ireland Nordic Southern countries German speaking Opened new bank accounts Attract more interest Euro accounts and Sterling account Increased financial management and planning

EUSE: Development & Progress Increased Council member participation at meetings 5 Council meetings Averaging 18 members from 13 countries Increased EUSE membership Switzerland & Wales Influence on European Commission Presentation at HLG Brussels Adoption of EUSE Definition, Values and Process Questionnaire on SE to member states Funding of Study of SE in Europe Participation at 9 th EUSE Conference

EUSE: Development & Progress Making formal partnerships with other groups with similar objectives and influences. Notably with EASPD and EDF To join with the Ramus organisation in putting a tender together for The European Commision study into supported employment

EUSE: Development & Progress EUSE Scholarship Awards € 5000 made available Strict eligibility criteria 4 Awards (Northern Ireland, England, Finland and Czech Republic) Visits to Ireland (2), Netherlands and Portugal Reports published on EUSE website 9 th EUSE Conference in Prague 400+ delegates from 34 countries Workshops from EUSE Council members Increased collaboration between EUSE and CZuSE 10 th conference in Denmark June 2011 announced

EUSE: Development & Progress Development of Leonardo Partnership Preparatory Meeting – Edinburgh January 2008 Agreement on What, Why and How 14 out of 17 National Associations signed up 12 out of 14 approved worth €147,000 to Partnership Position Papers completed How To Guides started

What is the Leonardo Project ? EUSE had developed some very good quality standards but there was no training available for many countries to achieve those standards. There was a need for position papers on the 5 stage process. These could be used in redefining supported employment, to services, funders and politicians There was a need to develop this work right across Europe as a standard.

Project initiation We had an initial meeting in January 2008 to scope the project define the aims and objectives and start the bid writing process. It was decided to do 14 position papers on various aspects of the 5 stage process these were on

The Project: Position statements Client Engagement/Job Readiness Vocational Profile Job Finding Working with Employers On and Off the Job Support Supported Employment for Employers Supported Employment for Policy-makers/Funders Values, Standards and Process of Supported Employment Paid & Unpaid Employment Quality v. Quantity of Supported Employment Outcomes Career Development/Progression Work Experience Placements Developing a Local/National Partnership

The Project: How to guides It was also planned to develop 9 how to guides on the following topics –Client Engagement/Job Readiness –Vocational Profile –Job Finding –Working with Employers –On and Off the Job Support –Work Experience Placements –Developing a Local/National Partnership –How to Recruit a Person with a Disability –How to Recruit a Job Coach/Support Worker

Project development From there it was decided to develop training guides that each national association could use: –Client Engagement/Job Readiness –Vocational Profile –Job Finding –Working with Employers –On and Off the Job Support –Work Experience Placements –Developing a Local/National Partnership –How to Recruit a Person with a Disability –How to Recruit a Job Coach/Support Worker

Project development This would then develop a thorough toolkit that could be used by individual country membership to improve the quality of supported employment throughout Europe as well as properly inform services, funders and politicians. 14 countries applied for the funding which would allow for 12 mobility's throughout the project and therefore would allow us to develop a quality product. Twelve countries were successful in gaining the approval.

Leonardo: the countries involved ScotlandNorthern Ireland EnglandAustria IrelandSweden GermanyNorway GreeceFinland SpainDenmark

Leonardo: Progress so far We have had 4 Leonardo meetings where we have finished all of the position papers We are on schedule to finish the How To Guides by November 2009 and to develop the training guides by June of These will then be available to each individual country as well as the rest of the EUSE membership who were not successful in the funding. The project will be disseminated at the 10 th EUSE conference in June 2010

Developing Supported Employment: Strengths Offers equality of opportunity Combats discrimination and exclusion Person-centred approach Can be used for a wide range of client groups Supports both the client and the employer Focus is on paid employment/full integration Existing established network (EUSE)

Developing Supported Employment Mainstream funding of Supported Employment Advantages Disadvantages Funding dictates the programme Absence of regulations and standards Limited training opportunities Inconsistency Lack of reliable data and results It is not so easy!!

EUSE: Areas for Future Development To provide practical leadership Develop and improve supported employment standards Assist achieve more consistency Expand membership and help new nations develop national associations Participate and have influence in SE Study Complete European SE Toolkit Design relevant training events Increase influence nationally/internationally 10th EUSE Conference Focus on increased Results and Outcomes

Establishment of a European Model Definition “ providing support to people with disabilities or other disadvantaged groups to secure and maintain paid employment in the open labour market ” Core values & principles 5 stage process Engagement Vocational Profile Job Finding Employer Negotiations On & Off Job Support Appropriateness for new client groups