Thames Reach developed training and work-related support for service user employees, as well as finding other routes into working for the organisation.
Thames Reach developed and delivered a traineeship programme for service users interested in working for the organisation in a variety of roles, but who required training and support to carry out the role to a high standard. The traineeships turned out to be very successful and assisted enormously in the attitudinal change that occurred across the staff teams.
In addition, Thames Reach also developed a service user volunteering scheme, providing service users with training and work experience as a stepping stone towards paid employment.
A review was conducted of all Thames Reach externally procured services (e.g. gardening, catering, cleaning and maintenance). Recommendations were made about specific jobs which are currently contracted out, that:
- They should be brought in-house and jobs filled by service user employees
- Contractual agreements be revised to ensure service providers employ service users as part of their workforce, or
- Thames Reach to set up relevant social businesses or to establish partnership arrangements with existing social businesses working with homeless people
