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Monday
It is a crisp, sunny spring morning, and I am interviewing a prospective candidate for the recruitment agency from the training side of Focus Pathways. She is a strong, mature 24-year-old, who is doing an NVQ in childcare.

I suggest that she considers support work with homeless women as well, because she would be able to understand their situation, having gone through it herself.

Both of her parents died when she was very young and she came to Focus when she was homeless. She was given supported accommodation and has since started to pick up the pieces and train for work.

Tuesday
I have an induction meeting this afternoon with a man I placed in a temporary job as a facilities assistant at Prime Focus' head office last week.

He came to us homeless and jobless at 50, living with his son and desperate to find work.

He's really happy with the job, fitting in well with the team, and has applied for a permanent post.

We agree to meet up next week to talk through interview techniques.

I really do hope he gets the job. He certainly deserves it.

Wednesday
Today I'm taking a young African Caribbean woman, who lives with her parents, for an interview and a tour around the project where she will be working.

She came to us as a trainee in business administration and ideally would like to work in the music industry.

Unfortunately I can't help her find that kind of job.

But I can find her work in the care industry so that she can gain experience.

The job I have put her forward for is receptionist at Focus Housing's residential care home for socially excluded men and women.

The tour of the home is a bit daunting, but I reassure her that I will phone every day if necessary to make sure she's OK.

Thursday
I have a meeting at Birmingham Foyer, another member of the Focus Group, to discuss its needs for trainees on placement and paid temporary staff.

It's important to keep in touch with other members of the group because we can meet many of their temporary recruitment needs, and they can provide our trainees with at-work experience.

I'm seeing the manager at the local Jobcentre this afternoon. They help us out with referrals when we have vacancies that we are unable to fill.

The meeting goes well, but I'm glad today is over. I know it's important to keep in touch with the group and other employment agencies, but I much prefer spending time with the 'real' people.

Friday
Today a former client phones almost everyone in the team, absolutely over the moon because he has finally been offered a permanent job, as an administration assistant with a housing association.

We are all delighted because we know how long he has been trying.

He came to us as a trainee 18 months ago, and has spent nine months with the agency – a very long time compared with the norm.

Some days I think it's all worthwhile, and this is one of them.