Oxfordshire receives national recognition for work to secure jobs for people with disabilities and health conditions
People with disabilities, long-term health conditions and other significant barriers to securing and sustaining paid employment are being supported by a service in Oxfordshire that has received a nationally recognised certification.
Oxfordshire Employment has been successful in the renewal of its Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) accreditation, affirming its position as one of the UK’s leading providers of inclusive employment support.
Supported employment is a personalised, evidence-based approach designed to help people with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or other significant barriers to work secure and sustain paid employment.
The Oxfordshire County Council service first achieved the SEQF award following a rigorous two-day audit in September 2024, which reviewed over 150 pieces of evidence and included interviews with customers, employers, and partners. That initial assessment resulted in an indicative grade of ‘Good’, with a score nearing 80%.
To retain the award, Oxfordshire Employment recently completed a follow-up review to evidence progress against its original action plan and demonstrate continued compliance with the standards expected of the SEQF. This successful renewal confirms the service’s ongoing commitment to quality and improvement.
This places Oxfordshire Employment in a select group of organisations nationally recognised for delivering high-quality supported employment.
Deborah Montgomery, Contracts Delivery Manager said: “This achievement is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our team. We’ve worked hard to complete our action plan and improve key areas, including six-month employment retention for our customers, where we’ve seen a significant uplift from 53 per cent to 80 per cent.”
Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at Oxfordshire County Council, added: “This recognition reflects the hard work and values that underpin our supported employment services.
“Oxfordshire Employment is helping people build confidence, skills, and independence through meaningful work, and that’s something of which we’re incredibly proud.”
The SEQF kitemark, awarded by the British Association for Supported Employment (BASE), is the new benchmark for quality in supported employment. It assesses fidelity to the five-stage model, including vocational profiling, job matching, in-work support, and employer engagement.
Oxfordshire Employment’s accreditation is valid for three years, with annual reviews to ensure continued excellence.
The SEQF review also highlighted Oxfordshire Employment’s commitment to continuous improvement, inclusive practice, and data-driven service delivery.
The team’s efforts align with national occupational standards and support the council’s broader mission to help vulnerable residents into sustainable, meaningful employment.
This achievement follows Oxfordshire County Council’s adult social care service being awarded a “Good” rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in September 2025, recognising the council’s commitment to high-quality, person-centred support for residents across the county.
Looking ahead, Oxfordshire Employment plans to build on this success by strengthening employer partnerships and enhancing support pathways for job seekers across the county.
For more information about the SEQF accreditation, visit Quality in Supported Employment – BASE.
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