1. Making the extraordinary ordinary: employing service user Opening Up Jobs – developing routes into work through direct and supported employment projects

2. My experience of service user employment  HR Manager at Thames Reach prior to and during the set up of GROW – Giving Real Opportunities for Work  Experienced internal culture change programme  Involved in set up of trainee programme  Challenged to change recruitment practices  Managed HR team with ex-service user employees

3. Direct Employment – why?  No guarantee of a job from traineeship/supported employment route  Consistent standards and process for employing people from any background  Principles into practice – homeless charity’s aim is to support homeless people back into meaningful life

4. Direct Employment – how ?  Review existing recruitment practices and align with other principles and practices relating to user employment

5. Direct Employment – how ?  Job Adverts "Committed to achieving a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve, we especially encourage suitable applicants with a history of homelessness, with disabilities and from black and ethnic-minority groups."

6. Direct Employment – how ?  Person Specifications: "A depth of understanding of the needs and aspirations of homeless people which is based either on your own personal experience of being homeless or professional work or voluntary experience."

7. Direct Employment – how ?  Application Forms What should I do if I have any gaps in my work or employment history? Always explain any gaps in your work or employment history, for example travelling, maternity leave or periods of homelessness. We would like you to explain your gaps so that unfounded assumptions won’t be made. If you have experienced any periods of homelessness, these are viewed by Thames Reach as a valuable experience so please take your time to explain these fully.

8. Direct Employment – how ?  HR Issues? Team Issues Management Issues Personal Issues  Yes. Lots. Solutions? Challenging our own discrimination, and prejudice Flexible, effective management

9. Making the extraordinary ordinary: employing service user Opening Up Jobs – developing routes into work through direct and supported employment projects