"Service user involvement in ERIF (Employment Resource Interview Forum)."

On Wednesday 28th November 2012 a panel of 3 service users were on an ERIF interview panel, unfortunately there was only one candidate which left the panel with nothing to compare.

One of the service users did their first interview and was not shadowing but took part in the interview process which they enjoyed.

One of the service users chaired the panel and was nervous yet also quietly confident.

One of the service users sat on the panel and enjoyed being part of the whole experience of ERIF and another of them scribed and oversaw the day.

The service user panel met with the professional panel for 15 minutes and discussed the candidate in detail, they were deemed appointable.

The other panel asked the service users if they would feel comfortable seeing this newly appointed member of staff in a professional capacity and they all said that they would.

The professional panel were accepting apart from one person, it was felt that this person gave the impression that the service users were not wanted or needed. Feeling this way, as ERIF is to expand, service users need to be accepted as equals in the interview process.