What is OSW Link?

OSW Link is a database system developed by OSW in partnership with Resource Information Service. All of our provider partners are connected to the system via the internet, and use it to record details about their clients, and about the work they have done with them. If a client moves from one project to another we can thereby ensure a seamless flow of information about the client's employment and training needs, and about the work that they have done with us already. Link is thus an important tool in developing more cohesive working practice between the many training and guidance providers who are part of the OSW partnership.

What do we use OSW Link for?

We also use Link for purposes of monitoring the work of our provider partners so that we can report to our funders on, for example, how many clients a project has worked with in a given period, what kind of work they have carried out, how many hours of training have been delivered, and how many of their clients have successfully moved into employment or further education, or have gained a qualification.

Link provides us with a wealth of demographic information about the OSW client base, which allows us to more effectively plan and target our services in the future. For example we have been able to gain important information about those of our clients who have English as a second language, and thus think about how we might more effectively cater to homeless people in London with language needs. On a more general basis, the statistics generated by Link can provide a very useful source of information for other agencies conducting research on the homeless population of London.

If you would like to know more about OSW Link please contact our IT/Database Manager Ian Canadine (email: iancanadine@osw.org.uk).