21/05/2026
A few days on from our 2026 Annual Conference (and we’ve all warmed up after the first rainy Conference Day in a few years!), we’re sharing a few reflections…
As always, it was brilliant to bring so many people together - from across Supported Employment, policy, employers, and lived experience. What really stood out this year was the depth and honesty of the conversations.
Here are a few themes that we felt were highlighted during the Conference:
👉 It’s not just about getting people into jobs anymore
There was a real shift towards thinking about long-term careers, progression and belonging. Quality support is what turns a job into something sustainable and meaningful.
👉 The world of work is changing - quickly
AI, automation, changing labour markets… these came up again and again. But what felt important was the balance - yes, there are challenges, but also real opportunities to use these tools to reduce barriers rather than reinforce them.
👉 We can’t ignore the reality of inequality
The research shared - particularly around disabled women - was powerful and, at times, uncomfortable. It reminded us why this work matters so much, and why we need to think more deeply about intersectionality.
👉 Employers are key and they want to engage
A consistent message was that many employers do want to be more inclusive, but don’t always feel confident about how to do it or communicate what they are doing. That’s where partnerships, practical support and shared learning really come in.
👉 Inclusion isn’t about treating everyone the same
It’s about fairness - creating environments where people have what they need to succeed. That came through strongly in discussions on organisational justice and workplace culture.
👉 There’s a lot of innovation happening
From improving digital accessibility, to new ways of having better workplace conversations, to using AI to personalise support - it was encouraging to see so much creativity and commitment across the sector.
For us, the biggest takeaway was this:
There is real momentum, but also a clear recognition that we still have work to do - together.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed - our speakers, workshop leads, partners and delegates. The conversations don’t stop here.
Our Conference Report will be sent to all delegates very soon.
[Video description: The video shows delegates listening to speakers and panel discussions, also networking, chatting to exhibitors and moving between breakout rooms. It also shows images of a delegate holding the Conference programme, a Supported Employment poster and a young person holding up the DuoDay selfie board while smiling.]
