Shifting the balance of power around opportunities for a working life
/This article was featured in the SCDC Weekly - 4th June 2025
SCDC recently attended a conference held by the Scottish Union of Supported Employment who are working to support disabled people and those living with long-term health conditions to have the opportunity of a working life.
The conference had a range of sessions and inputs, with a focus on Supported Employment and different approaches and programmes being delivered to narrow the disability employment gap across Scotland.
There many examples of this type of activity, including work being done by Scottish Government around social security, and a showcase of an app that provides signposting and support. Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living presented on the importance of services created by and with the people with direct experience of needing them.
SCDC was asked to run a workshop which focused on how co-production can be used to emphasise lived and living experience in how decisions are made. Other sessions and speakers spoke of the need to co-design and co-produce at all stages and levels within an organisation – including recruitment, service design and delivery.
Communication, care and connectivity were key messages from the panel discussion, as well as an acknowledgement and desire to see more community-led research to understand some of the key issues that people and organisations are facing.
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