What is the British Association for Supported Employment?

BASE was formed in 2006 by the merger of the National Association of Supported Employment and Association for Supported Employment. Both associations had been active in the area of supported employment in the UK since the early 1990's. It was felt that a unified voice is essential as a lobby to protect the interests of the industry and to develop best practice within it.

BASE currently represents over 200 agencies throughout the country and is committed both to supporting these and to encouraging new ones to develop. As an independent member organisation, BASE is open to any agency delivering supported employment services in the UK. Affiliated membership is open to any individual or organisation who is interested but not delivering supported employment services.

BASE is concerned with establishing collective action on national issues that cannot be addressed by individual agencies and members. As a priority, the Association developed a nationally accepted definition of Supported Employment. This still offers a guideline to good practice, with its basic requirement that employment should mean integration into a regular work setting.

The Association is registered in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee (Reg. No: 05794990) and has formal memoranda and articles. It has charitable aims. It is unlikely for now that BASE will seek formal charitable status.

BASE currently has a National Executive Committee to lead the Association's development work in areas of concern to the membership:- service development; employer and trades union relations; welfare benefits; relations with Government Departments; European issues; fund-raising; marketing of Supported Employment; regional networking; and service standards.

BASE supports regional activity through networks of agency members. These regions largely correspond to regional government areas. Each regional network meets quarterly and BASE is making funds available for regional activity and events.

The Aims of the Association:

To assist people with disabilities by encouraging the provision of support into employment.
To endorse and promote quality standards in the delivery of Supported Employment.
To nurture and encourage the setting up of new supported employment services.
To promote the training of supported employment personnel throughout the UK.
To provide a regular, detailed information, advisory and development service to association members.
To liaise and negotiate with national and international government and non-government organisations to promote the aims of the Association.

The benefits of membership

A lobby for sustainable policy and funding
A dedicated website with the latest news and developments
Access to best practice and support
A strong national voice with regional practitioner networks
Networking opportunities and a substantial discount at our annual conferences
Quarterly newsletter
Involvement in Government consultations

Membership categories

Full membership for individuals, agencies or employers, with voting rights, is available to individuals, agencies or employers who have a direct involvement in providing supported employment activities and who agree to the BASE aims and definition of supported employment. Agencies and employers are only entitled to one vote per membership fee.

Affiliated membership is available to individuals and organisations with an interest in supported employment and who agree to the aims and definitions in the BASE constitution. Affiliated membership does not carry voting rights.

We are currently exploring the best way to offer Corporate membership to national organisations.

Membership rates (annual from 1st April)

For details of membership rates please visit the page on joining us