Accomplish • Dec 16 • 2 min read

Freddie’s Impact: How a Person We Support Helped Recruit the Right Team

At Keys Group, we are dedicated to empowering the people we support to play an active role in shaping their lives. At our Cheshire Supported Living service, part of  Accomplish, we recently reintroduced an initiative that involves one of the people we support in the interview process for potential team members. This collaboration reflects both the personal growth of those we support and the value of their input in identifying the right candidates. Here’s how the process unfolded, with feedback provided by the support team at Cheshire Supported Living.

Meet Freddie

Freddie*, who has been supported by Cheshire Supported Living since 2021, is celebrated for his independence, creativity, and fantastic sense of humour. Most recently, he reached a major milestone: moving to a new home with the support and encouragement of his team.

Freddie’s Role in the Interview Process

When Freddie was asked if he would like to participate in interviewing candidates, he eagerly agreed. Before the pandemic, Freddie had been actively involved in selecting team members who would support him – a practice temporarily paused due to COVID-19 restrictions. With the return of face-to-face interviews, the team at Cheshire Supported Living was excited to reintroduce this  initiative.

“I am very proud we have implemented this process in the past and now we are re-implementing this as we are empowering PWS to be involved in choosing potential staff team members who will have a direct impact in their life,” says Hubert Czupryn, Locality Manager of Cheshire Supported Living.

During the interviews, Freddie played an active role, asking potential candidates his own questions and engaging in open discussions. His topics often covered likes, dislikes, and questions to help him get to know the candidates better. The support team observed these interactions closely to assess how well the candidates connected with Freddie.

The Benefits of Freddie’s Involvement

Freddie’s participation brought multiple benefits to the recruitment process:

• Enhanced Interactions: Observing how candidates engaged with Freddie provided valuable insights into their suitability for the role.
• Confidence and Creativity: The process helped Freddie grow in confidence when interacting with new people and allowed him to showcase his creativity through thoughtful, personalised questions.
• Better Candidate Selection: Freddie’s unique perspective ensured candidates who not only met the professional criteria but also built a genuine connection with him were identified.

Responses from Candidates

The candidates’ responses to Freddie’s involvement were overwhelmingly positive. Many appreciated the opportunity to meet someone they might support, finding it rewarding to interact with Freddie and gaining a deeper understanding of the meaningful work they would be part of at Keys Group.

Reflections and Broader Implications

Involving the people we support in recruitment processes is more than just a practical method – it reflects Keys Group’s core values of excellence, passion, integrity and caring. Freddie’s active role in choosing team members ensures he has a voice in decisions that directly impact his life.

The Cheshire Supported Living team highlighted how inspiring it was to see Freddie thrive in this role. Reintroducing this practice demonstrates Keys Group’s dedication to fostering environments where the people we support can truly shape their own journeys.

Looking Ahead

At Keys Group, we are inspired by the creativity, humour, and independence of the people we support. Freddie’s involvement at Cheshire Supported Living exemplifies how empowerment and collaboration can lead to positive outcomes for everyone. As we expand this approach across our services, we remain committed to creating inclusive spaces where every voice is heard.

*Name changed to protect confidentiality