As part of the TMD London partnership participation agenda, OSW set up a Client Policy Forum. The aim of this was to help us ensure that client participation informed our policy work. The forum met regularly to review and feed back on OSW policy and research work. This feedback was given directly to OSW's Policy Manager and policy and research steering groups to influence their decision making. Forum members were all individuals who had experience of homelessness, or who were at risk of being homeless.

The forum was set up in August 2006 and its achievements included agreement of terms of reference and membership, influencing the content and outcomes of OSW's research reports, and consultation on the content of future projects and funding bids, including the Right Deal for Homeless People.

For future opportunities to influence policy making, please contact Michael Fothergill (email michaelfothergill@osw.org.uk, telephone 020 7089 2732).