UNLOCK: Tailoring and enhancing the European model of Supported Employment to unlock job opportunities for ex-offenders

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UNLOCK: Tailoring and enhancing the European model of Supported Employment to unlock job opportunities for ex-offenders

The Unlock Toolkit has been developed under the Erasmus+ UNLOCK project to support professionals in tailoring and enhancing the European model of Supported Employment (SE) for the reintegration of individuals with criminal records. The project partners are: RUMO and Consultis from Portugal and SUEM.BE/GTB from Belgium.

Employment plays a critical role in preventing reoffending and supporting long-term social inclusion. However, individuals with criminal records face disproportionate barriers in accessing the labour market. The UNLOCK Resource Toolkit provides practical strategies, practice-informed and pilot-tested tools, success stories, and adaptable templates to help bridge this gap. It aligns with the five-stage SE model established by the former European Union of Supported Employment (EUSE- since 2025 ASEE), while introducing targeted adaptations to meet the specific needs of individuals with criminal records.

The content is grounded in international evidence, national frameworks, and the experience of community-based organisations. Key contributions have been drawn from the Associação Portuguesa de Emprego Apoiado (APEA), VDAB, GTB and SUEM.be, the Belgian umbrella organisation for Supported Employment, as well as from the Association for Supported Employment Europe (ASEE), ensuring both relevance and applicability across different European contexts.

The Toolkit combines four complementary dimensions: a practical Supported Employment handbook for professionals; employer engagement guidelines designed to foster inclusive recruitment and sustainable employer partnerships; success stories and motivational resources intended to strengthen hope, resilience, and engagement among individuals with criminal records; and a Community Resources Directory mapping key support services available in Portugal and Belgium. The Toolkit is further supported by a comprehensive set of annexes, templates, and implementation tools intended to facilitate practical application in real employment support settings.

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