Business support needed to help homeless back to work

UK business has been called upon to help the growing number of homeless people across the country return to full time employment by working in partnership with the government and voluntary sector.

The call for action from Business in the Community coincides with the fifth anniversary of its Business Action on Homelessness, Ready for Work programme which over the past five years has provided 1700 homeless people with work placements in 200 UK companies in 22 cities.

New research by Bain and Company shows that if business, the voluntary sector and Government coordinate their efforts, many more homeless people could have the opportunity to return to work. The findings also shows that the public continue to rate homelessness as one of the major issues facing society. Around 45% of consumers indicated that businesses should be doing more to help homeless people. When asked how businesses should be involved, 73% of consumers suggested job placements and employment training and 70% said job coaching.

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales met with former homeless people and business leaders to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Ready for Work programme, pay tribute to the many corporate leaders who have participated in the programme and encourage others to follow their lead.

The Prince, who is President of Business in the Community has been involved on in the programme since its inception in 1998, including a number of Seeing is Believing visits focusing on homeless people.

John Varley, chairman of Business Action on Homelessness and Group CEO of Barclays said: ìThere is a need for collaborative action between all sectors ñ voluntary, business and government ñ to provide permanent jobs, hostels which encourage and enable homeless to return to work and benefits which create incentives for people to return to work.

ìThe business world, in the last five years, has listened and learnt much about what can be achieved to support the homeless but we all know that there is much more to be done. Business needs to increase the number of placements offered, expand the offer of job coaching, support ex-clients through the client support network and encourage a move to permanent jobs.î

Ready to Work national partners include HSBC, Marks & Spencer, Barclays, KPMG, George Wimpey, Bradford and Bingley, Freshfields, ODPM and the Royal Mail. Marks & Spencer have been the lead placement provider, with 700 clients having completed placements and a dedicated programme, Marks & Start for homeless people.