Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE) are looking for an engaging and dynamic Chair who is determined to help disabled people into work and support them in the workplace.

The Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE) is the national representative body for supported employment providers and anyone interested in ensuring that disadvantaged people across our country have the opportunity of a working life. It brings organisations together to support people with disadvantages to find and retain paid work by increasing the availability, quality, and impact of supported employment services in Scotland.

In Scotland, the current employment rate of disabled people is only 45%, compared to 81% of their non-disabled peers - this is the Disability Employment Gap. However, in 2018 the Scottish Government launched the Fair Start Scotland programme, which offers the potential to expand supported employment services across Scotland. This is a once in a generation opportunity for SUSE to shape the future of employment services for people with disabilities and fundamentally improve the life chances of thousands of people who have been marginalised in our communities. 

About the role of Chair

SUSE are looking for someone that can engage with a wide range of people and win their respect through experience in influencing and connecting.  Above all, the incoming Chair will be committed to SUSE’s determination to help disabled people into work and support them in the workplace.

The Chair does not necessarily have to come from the not-profit sector and may be from a management, employment, or commercial background.  

As well as Chairing the Board, the Chair will support (and sometimes supportively challenge) the Chief Executive and Leadership Team, represent SUSE on the European Union of Supported Employment - attending 2 board meetings a year and supporting the delivery of an international conference held every 4 years. 

Please email us at [email protected] or call us on 01786 542 224 to request an information pack, full job description and person specification. 

This search is being conducted exclusively for The Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE) by BTA (Bruce Tait Associates). Our leadership team have all worked in the voluntary sector and we use this experience to match organisations and individuals to create great appointments.