Nordic Joint Statement in Support of Supported Employment
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We, the undersigned Nordic supported employment organizations, jointly advocate for the broad and high-quality implementation of supported employment in our countries. Despite our strong welfare state traditions, the employment rate of persons with disabilities remains significantly lower than that of the general population.
Supported employment is a well-researched and effective model that enables inclusive and sustainable participation in working life. Research presented at a Nordic event held in March confirmed its effectiveness across various target groups. The model offers concrete solutions for a diverse labor market, including from the perspective of persons with disabilities.
The seminar highlighted the following observations and experiences:
Finland: Legal protection and physical accessibility alone are not enough. High-quality support services and best practices, such as supported employment, are essential to achieving genuine inclusion and diversity in working life.
Denmark: A new model is being piloted in Job centers, applying the IPS method (Individual Placement and Support) to NEET youth with mild mental health challenges. Initial results show increased well-being and reduced anxiety and depression.
Norway: General disability research can and should be used as a foundation for supported employment studies. One example presented was research on disabled entrepreneurs who employ other persons with disabilities. Studies show a clear employment gap—38% among persons with disabilities compared to 74% in the rest of the working-age population.
Sweden: The impact of gender in supported employment services is a little-known topic in research. However, a Swedish research project found that gender affects access to services. In some diagnoses, there are more male service users, and the same applies to vocational rehabilitation. Gender also plays a significant role in various stages of employment support. Some assumptions and expectations may be strongly influenced by gender and affect how individuals are perceived or what behaviour is expected of them.
Although supported employment has existed in Europe for over 30 years, its availability and quality still vary. A recent report by the European Commission shows that supported employment remains less accessible than, for example, work activities or so-called sheltered workshops. Adhering to the model’s core principles leads to better and more sustainable integration into the labor market.
We call on policymakers, service providers, and stakeholders to:
Ensure the availability and quality of supported employment services.
Base implementation on research and evidence-based practices.
Promote equal opportunities and full participation in working life for persons with disabilities, in accordance with Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Together, we commit to advancing supported employment as a key tool in building inclusive labor markets in the Nordic countries.
More information:
ASEE website: https://a4se.eu/
European Commission report: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/286e3369-1b5b-11f0-b1a3-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
Signed by: Nordic Supported Employment Organizations