Bond‐Chicago1.

Methods	Allocation: random assignment ‐ information from trialists indicates that sealed envelope method was used. Follow up: 4,9,15 months. Lost to follow‐up: 18%. Objectivity of rating of outcome: raters not independent.
Participants	Inclusion criteria: i. age >18; ii. no prior participation in program; iii. unemployed; iv. wanting employment; v. attendance of >40 hours in first 4 weeks after admission (drop‐out rate of 20% before screening). Diagnosis: schizophrenia, schizophrenia‐like disorders (55%). N=131. Age:mean ˜25 years. Sex: 31% women. Race: 25% non‐white. History: ever married U/K, ever employed 72%, time since last employment 9 months, previous admissions U/K but 48% >3 admissions. Setting: urban, private psychosocial rehabilitation agency, Chicago, USA.
Interventions	1. Immediate job placement: i. paid transitional employment (minimum 2 days/week); ii. no prevocational preparation; iii. strong expectation to engage in paid employment; iv. close supervision by staff member. N=64. 2. Control: i. gradual approach to supported employment; ii. remained in unpaid prevocational work crew (minimum 4 months); iii. followed 'standard' schedule; iv. if placement failed returned to work crews before starting again; v. volunteer placements also available. N=67. Both groups could participate in individual and group counselling, evening support groups and a job‐club.
Outcomes	In competitive employment. In any employment. Monthly earnings. Not participating in program. Rehospitalised. In any form of employment or education. Unable to use ‐ Time in employment (not primary or secondary outcome).
Notes
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Allocation concealment?	Unclear risk	B ‐ Unclear