Across Europe, people are finding new ways to create employment opportunities, strengthen support and build more inclusive workplaces.
This December, the 16th European Supported Employment Conference will bring together practitioners, employers, researchers, policymakers and people with lived experience to share ideas, explore challenges and learn from one another.
While the full programme is still being finalised, we’re delighted to offer a first look at some of the workshops and side panel discussions already confirmed.
From employer engagement and job coaching to quality, digital innovation and transitions into work, this year’s programme reflects the creativity, commitment and expertise that continues to drive supported employment forward across Europe.
Take away ideas you can test, adapt and use in your own work.
Many of this year’s workshops focus on the day-to-day realities of supporting people into work and building inclusive workplaces.
Delegates will explore topics such as employer engagement, working interviews, work tasters, job coaching, digital skills development and supporting people to progress and sustain employment. Sessions will showcase practical tools, proven approaches and lessons learned from real-world delivery across a range of settings.
Whether you’re working directly with job seekers, engaging employers, managing services or shaping policy, there will be opportunities to discover approaches that can be adapted and applied within your own organisation and community.
Learning From Different Perspectives
Supported employment continues to evolve through collaboration, innovation and shared learning, and this year’s programme reflects that spirit.
Each session is rooted in a shared goal: helping more people access good jobs, build sustainable careers and experience the benefits of meaningful employment.
Confirmed workshops and side panels include
- Bridging the Gap: A Modular Chain of Support for Vocational Integration of Vulnerable Youth and Adults
- Beyond Inclusion: Creating Real Employment Opportunities for People with Autism
- The Business Engagement Odyssey; how to train your supported employment specialist in employer engagement
- European Supported Employment Guidelines
- Empowering People with Disabilities Through Digital Skills Training
- How to balance Quality with Performance within Supported Employment Delivery
- Introducing the self-employment pathway
- Coaching the Coaches: Who is Supporting the Job Coaches
- Trying before applying! – The power of work tasters in Supported Employment
Alongside these sessions, delegates will hear from presenters sharing experiences from different countries, systems and service models, creating opportunities to compare approaches and learn from one another.
Conversations That Matter
The conference side panels will tackle some of the biggest questions facing the supported employment community today.
Discussions will explore topics including:
- Driving quality across Europe
- Transitions from education to employment
- What quality looks like from an employer perspective
- What research tells us about sustainable employment outcomes
- Building a shared understanding of supported employment across countries and contexts
These conversations aim to encourage reflection, challenge assumptions and strengthen the evidence base that supports inclusive employment practice across Europe.
A Truly International Event
One of the unique strengths of the European Supported Employment Conference is the opportunity to connect with colleagues from across borders.
This year’s programme includes contributions from across the UK, Europe and the wider international supported employment community, creating space for new ideas, fresh perspectives and meaningful collaboration.
By bringing together different experiences and approaches, the conference creates opportunities not only to learn from others, but also to contribute to the future direction of supported employment.
Join Us in Liverpool
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more information about confirmed workshops, speakers, side panels and conference highlights. With sessions covering everything from practical frontline delivery to research, quality and systems change, there will be something for everyone involved in creating inclusive employment opportunities.
If you’re looking for inspiration, practical ideas, new connections and the chance to be part of conversations that matter, the 16th European Supported Employment Conference promises to be an event not to miss.
