Measuring Outcomes that Matter in Supported Employment
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📘 Blog 5 of 7 in our Supported Employment Series
Measuring Outcomes that Matter
Links to all 7 blogs in this series are at the bottom of this post.
📊 Why Outcomes Are Crucial
Commissioners don’t just want activity — they want results that change lives. It’s not enough to say “we support people into work.” They want to see sustained impact: independence, inclusion, and long-term employment. This is what differentiates high-scoring bids from average ones.
That’s why measuring outcomes properly is essential. A service might have great intentions, but if it can’t evidence its impact, commissioners may look elsewhere. Using robust outcome frameworks — and presenting them clearly in tenders — can transform your submission. Our proofreading & review service helps refine outcome evidence for maximum clarity and impact, so commissioners immediately see the value.
✅ What to Measure
Quantitative data provides a strong backbone for evidencing success. The following are key areas commissioners expect to see:
- Sustained employment rates — e.g. how many people remain in paid roles after 6 or 12 months
- Progression — from unpaid placements or volunteering into paid, permanent work
- Job satisfaction and wellbeing indicators — demonstrating that people aren’t just employed, but happy and thriving
- Employer satisfaction and retention rates — showing businesses value the relationship and want to continue
- Reduction in support needed — e.g. how fading plans have led to independence at work
Commissioners often compare bids side by side — so specific, measurable data makes your service stand out over vague promises.
🧠 Beyond Numbers
Numbers are powerful — but they don’t tell the whole story. Commissioners and inspectors also want qualitative evidence, such as:
- Stories of people who gained confidence and independence through work
- Examples of families reporting positive changes at home
- Employers sharing how supported employment benefitted their teams
- Testimonials that demonstrate real-world inclusion
These human stories bring data to life. A statistic may show that 80% of people stayed in work after six months. A short narrative about one individual thriving in their role makes that statistic memorable and persuasive.
When framed effectively by a learning disability bid writer, outcomes become more than numbers — they become a compelling evidence base that helps you score higher in tenders.
🌍 Why This Matters in Bids
Commissioners don’t want to just fund services — they want to fund impact. When you can show that supported employment leads to sustained jobs, improved confidence, and inclusion in community life, your tender becomes far stronger.
The same applies beyond employment. Outcome frameworks strengthen domiciliary care bids and home care submissions, where commissioners increasingly demand measurable results like reduced hospital admissions, improved quality of life, or increased independence at home.
💡 Practical Example
One provider reported that 75% of the people they supported moved into sustained employment lasting at least a year. Alongside this, they shared anonymised stories of individuals gaining skills, buying their first car, or moving into independent living because of their new income. This combination of data and narrative created a compelling case — one that commissioners could see delivered both value for money and life-changing impact.
📚 Catch up on the full Supported Employment Series:
- 🌟 From Aspirations to Real Jobs
- 🧭 Person-Led Vocational Profiling
- 🤝 Building Employer Partnerships
- 🪜 Effective Job Coaching
- 📊 Measuring Outcomes that Matter
- 🧩 Making Reasonable Adjustments Work
- 🔁 Staying Employed: In-Work Support, Reviews & Progression