Earlier in September, the Council’s Supported Employment Team welcomed auditors from the British Association of Supported Employment (BASE) into the Civic Centre. Following the audit the service has been formally awarded accreditation, confirming that Wolverhampton’s Supported Employment Service is:
- Embedding national occupational standards into delivery.
- Championing inclusion and workforce diversity across the city.
- Providing a service recognised as responsive, collaborative, and high-quality.
Since its launch in March 2023, the service has been working across the city to:
- Support residents with disabilities and/or neurodivergence into meaningful jobs.
- Provide ongoing in-work support so people can flourish in employment.
- Help businesses recruit inclusively and carve roles to suit individual strengths.
Auditors assessed the service against the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) - the national benchmark that ensures services uphold strong values and deliver high-quality support for both individuals and employers.
Auditors praised:
- The job carving policy and strong partnership with HR.
- The team’s responsiveness – managers said support was quick, positive, and practical.
- A strong partnership culture – collaboration across the council and with external partners was evident throughout the process.
They concluded that what makes Wolverhampton stand out is not just the model itself, but how the whole organisation works together to make it succeed.
An action plan report will now follow, sharing best practice and suggested improvements to help the service continue building inclusive workplaces across Wolverhampton.
To find out more about the service please visit Supported Employment - Workbox