BASE Supported Business Alliance

Developing a quality assurance mark for Department for Work and Pensions

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The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Esther McVey, has today announced increased funding and other measures to support businesses that provide extra employment support for disabled people with the greatest barriers to work.

When the Work Choice employment programme ends in March 2019, ongoing support will be offered to individuals working in “supported businesses” through specially designed new elements of the government’s Access to Work scheme.

In parallel, the government will also work with the Supported Business Alliance (SBA) and The British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) to help them develop a new quality mark for supported businesses.

Social Enterprise Mark CIC is delighted to be involved in this development, which will provide assurance to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on the quality of employment outcomes for disabled people.

Martin Davies, Supported Business Alliance, Chair of the Supported Business Steering Group, said:

“I welcome today’s announcement which will secure the future of thousands of job for disabled employees. We have been working alongside the DWP for over 12 months on this and will continue to collaborate with them to develop a quality assurance ‘mark’ for supported employers and a long-term funding model. We’re committed to supporting the government IN getting more disabled people into sustainable employment and ensuring the supported business sector can flourish.”

Lucy Findlay, Managing Director of Social Enterprise Mark CIC added:

“We welcome the news that so many jobs have been secured for disabled people. We look forward to working with DWP and the Steering Group going forwards to develop a quality mark that will help these businesses ensure social value and financial sustainability for the future.”