Springing into action
It’s wonderful that Spring has arrived – finally! Long may it continue…
It’s been so busy from an organisational point of view, with the launch of the new 2025-27 Business Plan and our new way of conducting appraisals. We also began a rolling programme of corporate inductions for new members of staff, with a highly successful event in Sheffield a couple of weeks ago.
And of equal importance, we are announcing in this Compass Points that our 2nd colleague survey will be launched next month.
We have done a great deal to respond to what you told us in the first super-positive survey back in October 2023 and we feel the time is right to gauge the views and opinions of you all once again – to check progress and to keep driving towards our ambition of becoming employer of choice.
Business Plan 2025-27 announced
Chief Executive Rachel Bundock has issued a short video to all colleagues which introduces the new Compass Business Plan.
You can view it here. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LWMUOynQrKIPsiHO_ER9wlimTctMko8L/view
Or view it on YouTube https://youtu.be/pGFDJwnFzng
The video outlines some of the ways we plan to build on Compass strengths and the amazing work done by staff every day “supporting children, young people, families and carers, creating positive and supportive work environments and delivering purposeful services directly and indirectly that demonstrate our shared commitment and values”.
Rachel stated: “What is new this year is the way in which we are linking the business plan priorities to the newly developed approach to appraisals and objective setting creating what we hope will be a real opportunity for everyone in Compass to recognise and contribute to these business plan objectives in a way which is meaningful to you in your role.”
Please take 10 minutes to watch the video.
Listening to Your Voice
by Triona Tootle, People Advisor
Following the first ‘Your Voice’ survey in October 2023 we have been working hard behind the scenes to make improvements in key areas highlighted in the survey and build on what colleagues told us was ‘great’ about working for Compass.
Developed from the survey results and focus groups, we’ve been working on 4 key areas to help us move towards becoming and Employer of choice.
Linked to the above the following actions have been underway:
- Change to appraisal/pay process for April 2025 – March 2026 following a consultation period
- New CPD panel for personal development opportunities
- Review of central benefits linked to colleague wellbeing and pay and perks
- New systems put into place to allow growth of Compass for the future and support all colleagues to deliver the best services to CYPF’s
More information will be shared shortly on this second survey including how to access it – the survey itself will only take 5 minutes to complete and will be completely anonymous.
We had a fantastic response to the survey last time which resulted in positive changes being made. We got to work in the true sense of “You said, we listened, we did”.
We hope you will have your say again to help us to keep on improving and developing as we grow.
Award winners enjoy a celebratory lunch
Six Compass colleagues received our annual Values Champions awards at a celebratory lunch with our Chief Executive and one of our non-exec directors, Claire Wood, in Sheffield.
Clare Hitchen, Diane Estwick, Elise Rendell, Helen Scouller, Jordan Olner-Clark and Sam Dunkley shared the awards after being nominated by their managers. They were chosen for exemplifying our four values of integrity, valuing each other, being solution focused and being consistent and reliable.
Chantelle Ross received the Leader of the Year Award.
Rachel Bundock, Chief Executive Officer of Compass said: “Our One Compass awards are an incredibly important part of our Compass calendar. Our values define how we work with children young people and familes as well as with each other.
“The annual lunch for our Values Champions and the winner of our Leadership award is a real celebration of what we stand for and who we are – it’s also always a lot of fun!”
Award winners receive their awards
Elise – supported
Elise said: “I’m not quite too sure how I managed to win it. I do feel very proud of myself for winning because I’ve only been at Compass for about 18 months. , so to win does fill me with a lot of pride that I’m doing something right with my job.
She said she felt well supported in her team at Compass Bloom by her colleagues and manager. She received “invaluable” support and reasurance from two supervisors last year.
Jordan – shocked
I was really shocked that I got the award. I thought – oh my goodness!
“I was not expecting it at all.
“In my nomination it said I was always happy to help others and always really approachable.”
She said she was very proud: “It is really lovely to be recognised for just who I am really, doing what I do.
“It’s really important to be open and honest. I think having integrity is really important in every day life, anyway.”
Diane – grateful
“I was very grateful to be recognised. I think that definitely as a team, we all offer a consistent and reliable approach. That builds trust.
“I’m very lucky because I absolutely love my job and the team that I am working are very supportive.
“We do our best to support each other and we’re all very focused on advocating and doing the best for young people.”
Helen – delighted
“I was really delighted that that my value of individuals was recognised. It’s really important in this work to keep things person centered, with the family in view.”
She said valuing each individual was “a really essential” part of the work the team does.
“We don’t provide a service that is one size fits all. We’re actually providing a service that has parameters and boundaries but we make that work for the individual because they come with so many different needs or issue
Samantha – speechless!
“I was speechless, when I realised I’d won. Which is unusal for me.
“It was a shock and it was nice to be recognised by my manager and my colleagues – that they feel that I make a contribution to the service.
“I do come up with a few ideas and I think oh shall I tell them the idea so obviously they must think it’s quite good, so pretty pleased.
“The team is very supportive. They listen and they come back to you with different approaches. We all talk it through. It’s a nice feeling – it’s a good it’s a good little service.”
Clare – emotional!
“When I was told that I had won the award, I was in total shock!
“I was a bit emotional! I am really proud to have bene nominated.
“But I am also really lucky to work with such a talented and supportive team.”
Chantelle – honoured
“Whilst initially shocked to receive the award, I am honoured to have received such recognition. I’m incredibly grateful, to be part of such an amazing organisation and service where staff are truly valued.
“It’s a privilege to lead the Changing Lives Team – they are incredible people with such skill, knowledge and commitment to providing the best services for CYPF across Derby and Derbyshire.
“The culture is one of kindness, support and respect for all, making it a lovely environment to work in. Thank you all for being amazing and a pleasure to work with!”
Compass introduces rolling corporate inductions for new staff
Events to be held quarterly to keep up with new staff enrolment
More than 40 members of staff, who have recently joined Compass attended a day long corporate induction event at a hotel near Sheffield,.
The inductees were the first to hear a new speech by CEO Rachel Bundock defining our Mission, Vision, Values and Ambitions.
Rachel told the attendees that Compass was proud of its history and put its values, front and centre of all it does. It was built on firm foundations nearly 40 years ago and is growing, with confidence.
Kim Jones, People Director, said: “Up until now, our corporate inductions have typically been twice a year and have been aimed at staff from new contracts which have recently mobilised.
“However, we now want to increase the number of corporate inductions up to four times a year, so the groups aren’t too big. We feel this would better suit our growing organisation.
“Often, new staff join existing teams in local services or central services and we want to properly induct those people as well as onboarding large new teams as a result of new contracts implemented.
And Chief Executive, Rachel Bundock said: “Holding our corporate inductions more regularly throughout the year means everyone gets the same induction experience irrespective of when you join.
“They will hear about how, what and why we do things at Compass and the standards we set.”
Rachel said: “The inductions are an opportunity to help colleagues understand and feel aligned to Compass mission, vision, values and ambitions.
“They help people to feel better connected to our collective mission and how we use our values, behaviours and lived experiences to create a positive, empowering and innovative culture that drives continuous improvement in our services.”
The latest induction was held at the Aston Hall Hotel outside Sheffield. Senior Operations Manager Saffron Mason welcomed the staff and then, as an icebreaker asked them to tell others on their tables who they were and a random fact about themselves.
Operations Director Jan Smith and Kim Jones then spoke about Compass’s culture – “It’s not just what you do, it’s the way that you do it”.
Quality assurance Lead, Sue Cody and Lauren Nixon, Assistant Director of Operations – North gave a Clinical Governance briefing before lunch. And after it, there were team building activities which were run by Sue Berry, Assistant Director of Operations.
The event was rounded off with Rachel’s address which included an insight into what drives her 25 years’ work for our charity. And the attendees were then encouraged to talk amongst themselves about their lived experiences and motivations for doing good work for children, young people and families.
Staff induction day feedback
Enjoyed Rachel’s personal story – Enjoyed the throw the teabag and toilet roll weight game –
Loved listening to Rachel’s lived experience – Very welcoming – It has been great to meet new people and hear everyone’s stories and experience. It has reassured me that I am in the right place with the right team, who share the values as I do. Fantastic Company – I’m excited for the future and proud to be part of something amazing! –
So lovely to meet other people who work for Compass and I felt privileged to be able to say that I work for a company with the values that Compass has. Going home feeling proud to be at the beginning of my Compass journey. – Really enjoyed meeting new Compass staff and from my own CompassBe that I haven’t yet had time to spend with. Reinforced why I joined Compass in line with my own values and why I wanted to do the job I now do!
The day went very fast. It was lovely to meet people from other services and find out some more background information – The day flew by – Nice opportunity to bring learning and experience together. Great to be with team members and wider Compass team – really lovely day
Its been a great day It was great to think about how the Compass values are evidence in Bloom – I found Rachel’s talk inspiring and recognised it aligns with my own experiences and future vision and it was reassuring to hear a member of SLT acknowledge and appreciate the experience of staff and the quality and meaningfulness of every interaction, seeing this and recognising this as an important as well as data collection – …it has been a lovely day meeting the wider Compass team my favourite part was Rachel’s talk – I found it highly relatable and inspiring… Really proud to work with such an amazing group of people and leaders
The entire day was really informative and fun. I started my day in a foul mood but by the end I felt very comfortable and happy with the day. Thank you all.
We launch new Whole School and College Framework
By Maddy Wakelin, Digital Communications and Marketing Officer, Compass FLEX
Compass’s MHST WSCA Framework is now available to all Compass services. The framework brings together Compass’ extensive experience of delivering WSCAs, underpinned by Compass values-based approach, principled ways of working and Public Health England’s (PHE) 8 WSCA principles.
The framework has been developed to help ensure a consistent approach to WSCAs across all Compass MHST services, providing teams with the practical tools, whilst remaining flexible and adaptable to effectively identify, and respond to individual, school, locality, and population needs.
Saffron Mason, Senior Operations Manager, said that ‘‘all Compass services deliver WSCAs in some form, whether that be helping to identify needs, delivering WSCA interventions such as assemblies, drop-ins or contributing to WSCA audits”.
Saffron explained that although the framework itself is new, the content is not. It simply pulls together all of the fantastic work our MHSTs and Emotional Wellbeing Services do ‘day in, day out’.
The WSCA Framework encompasses a collection of templates including, the ‘WSCA Annual Cycle’, ‘Foundation Training’ PowerPoint, ‘Pupil Wellbeing Survey’ and ‘WSCA Action Plan’. Some templates are mandatory and cannot be changed, whilst other templates can be adapted by services to reflect the local offer and needs.
Saffron said: ‘‘We hope that the new framework will be helpful to all services, through adapting the approach, tools and resources.”
And she added: “It’s fantastic to see Compass WSCA come to life through the framework. I would like to say a special thanks to all Compass MHSTs and Emotional Wellbeing Services who have helped bring the framework to life by sharing their knowledge, learning and practical tools. I hope the new framework is a true reflection of your hard work and dedication.’’
Check out the new WSCA Framework here: U:\Resources\Compass WSCA Framework Final.docx
Danielle needs your help!
Danielle Grant– Lead Trainer for the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training needs you!
The social value training team are looking for any staff member /volunteer who identify as disabled, neurodevelopmentally or with a learning difficulty.
You don’t need a blue badge and it doesn’t matter whether diagnosed, suspected or awaiting assessment.
Danielle says: “We will be looking at delivering the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training internally to Compass staff. The Tier 2 training requires a three person team to deliver it. If you would like to get involved and would like more information about what it would entail, the time expectations, training or anything else please email me”
- Trainer or facilitator
- Expert with lived experience with LD
- Expert with lived experience of Autism
Join the Remote Workers Practice Forum
by Lynne Tyler, Compass Shine
Calling all remote workers. Would you like to be part of a Remote Workers Practice Forum to share ideas, good practice and much more? We would like this group to be beneficial for all colleagues who work remotely and deliver support either 1:1, as a group or via the SilverCloud programme.
If you are interested or would like further information, please contact Lynne Tyler or Lydia Blakeney at Compass Shine. Or ask to join our next meeting on Tuesday 13th May at 9.30am.
Refer a friend for a cash reward
Know someone who you know would be just right for Compass – and for whom Compass would be just right for them?
You do? Well, refer that friend!
Do you have any colleagues in other organisations who may be interested in our roles, we have recently changed our Refer a Friend Policy and we have increased the amounts on offer, so for Band A-C the amount is increasing to £500 (from £250) and for Bands D-H the amount is changing to £1000 (from £350). Scan the QR code for the policy.
Fantastic
I would like to thank Charlotte Box and Rachael Askew for representing Compass Phoenix service at the recent JTAI meeting in North Yorkshire.
The chair of the group dropped me an email to say ‘Rachael and Charlotte were excellent. Really, really confident, competent and represented the service incredibly well’, and it is fantastic to hear such great feedback about how you represented the service.
So, thank you very much to both for attending and for representing the organisation and service so well, I hope you found being part of the process interesting and enjoyed being involved. – Zoe Davis, Service Manager, Compass Phoenix
Outstanding
A big thankyou to Jo and Charlotte in the Swanick team for their hard work and commitment to our schools and young people with our big push on whole school approach. Your dedication is appreciated and the feedback from families and schools has been outstanding”. – Samantha Whittaker, Supervising Practitioner, Compass Changing Lives MHST
Helpful & reassuring
A huge thank you to Andrew, Manny, and Colin from the Data Team for always being so helpful and reassuring—and for never making anyone feel like their question isn’t worth asking. Your support means so much! Thanks again! – Carla 😊 – Carla Hickman, Data and Admin Team Leader, Compass Bloom
Feel so welcome
I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone in Compass Phoenix for making me feel so welcome since I joined in January. A particular thank you to the T&C team who have put up with my many, many questions and answered them all brilliantly! – Andrew Watson, Training & Consultation Worker, Compass Phoenix
Congratulations
Compass Bloom would like to congratulate the following amazing people as they have all worked so hard to complete their courses and become qualified practitioners.
Hazel, Hayley, Jude and Lisa on completing their Supervising Practitioner course.
Freddi has completed the supervisory part of her SWP qualification.
Donna, Amber, Elise, Zoe & Claudia completed their Trainee EMHP course and are starting out in their new roles of Education Mental Health Practitioners.
They should be incredibly proud of themselves. – Anne Haines, Service Manager, Compass Bloom
Supportive & friendly
Thank you to Anne Tomkinson for stepping in to the Team Leader role at Caldecote and being amazing!
It’s been a challenging year, but you have remained so supportive, friendly, and understanding.
Thank you for all your dedication and kindness this year Anne. Lots of love Team Caldecote 😊
Massive thank you
I’d like to say a massive thank you to the guys in Compass Birmingham Locality 8 (Pete Marfleet, Kelsi Lamb, Nicole Folbigg, Phoebe Towers & Sherlock), as well as my Team Lead Lucy Marshall. It’s been a real privilege to work with you in the last year or so and I’ll miss you all. Keep the faith and keep up the good work! Love Joe x” – Joe Bertram, Schools Practitioner Compass Birmingham MHST
Thank you all
Thank you to Alice for all of her amazing work and dedication. You have gone above and beyond this month.
Thank you, Natalie, for all of your hard work whilst we have been short staffed. It has not gone unnoticed.
Thank you to Carolyn for attending all the school events and evenings, it is really appreciated. – Karen Newton-Skyrme – Derbyshire Dales & High Peak Team Lead & Supervising Practitioner, Compass Changing Lives MHST
Award Winners
I would like to say thank you to the values awards champions (and thank you to those that nominated us) and the SLT who treated us to lunch, it was lovely. And great to meet fabulous people doing fabulous jobs – so interesting what other Compass branches do. – Helen Scouller, Bereavement Counsellor MBACP, Compass Be
A complete rock
Emily works extremely hard on a daily basis and has been a complete rock to the team. Emily has been working extra hours and completing the work of 2 to support the team since being a team member down from January. Emily works tirelessly and will always have a smile on her face. Emily is always available for advice as staff enter and leave the office daily.
Emily is the fountain of all knowledge and will always offer support and guidance no matter how big her to do list is. We would like to thank you Emily and let you know that your hard work really doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you for all that you do to keep the team functioning. – Kim Pearson, Clinical Operations Manager, Compass Be and Compass Rise
Missing you already
Compass Bloom would like to wish Erin all the best as she temporarily leaves us to start her maternity leave. Enjoy every second Erin and we miss you already.
Smashed their targets
A massive well done to the whole of Compass Bloom who smashed their access target more than a month early, that is an amazing number of CYPF’s that we have supported.
I am so proud to be Service Manager for such a dedicated and passionate team and you know I think you are all Bloomin Ace! – Anne Haines, Service Manager, Compass Bloom
Charitable organisations and safeguarding
by Jan Smith, Operations Director
This month’s safeguarding feature follows on from the annual safeguarding training for Trustee’s and the Compass Board and describes some of the specific responsibilities of Compass as a charity and in turn the Board of Directors.
The annual training is the Boards opportunity to consider our safeguarding practices and gain assurance that the work we do is consistent with the specific expectations of charitable organisations.
All charities have a responsibility to ensure they don’t cause harm to anyone who has contact with them. Charities working with children or adults at risk have extra responsibilities. Trustee’s must make sure the charity fulfils this responsibility. The board will delegate some activities to a safeguarding lead or group, but retain overall responsibility.
The Board are committed to maintaining a strong safeguarding culture which means the can be assured that at Compass:
- we protect people
- we minimise the risks of any harm or abuse
- everyone has confidence their concerns will be dealt with appropriately
- everyone at the charity understands their role
To do this, the Board makes sure that the required actions (set out below) are set in place, regularly reviewed and continuously developed.
| June | Safeguarding L3 | Tues | 10th | Remote | Full |
| July | Safeguarding L3 | Fri | 18th | Remote | Full |
| September | Safeguarding L3 | Thurs | 18th | Remote | Tower Hamlets |
| October | Safeguarding L3 | Tues | 7th | Remote | |
| November | Safeguarding L3 | Mon | 24th | Remote | |
| December | Safeguarding L3 | Tues | 16th | Remote |
Safeguarding L4 – Team Leaders & Managers
| March | Safeguarding L4 | Mon | 24th | Remote |
Currently arranging more L4 dates with Trainer
BLS Training
We have begun phasing into face 2 face BLS Training since January with the plan by the end of the year we will have all services refreshing their BLS at specific months of the year. Those who cannot attend due to annual leave will be invited to a remote mop up session. Please see planned BLS dates below, please note that if your service is not showing I will be in touch asap with dates and times.
| March | BLS – Derby cohort 1 | Mon | 31st | F2F | All colleagues in Derby services due for renewal have been sent a calendar invitation |
| April | BLS – Barnsley | Tuesday | 1st | F2F | All colleagues in Barnsley have been sent a calendar invitation |
| April | BLS | F2F | Awaiting confirmation of dates for Tower Hamlets | ||
| April | BLS Andy Train | Weds | 16th | Remote | Mop up remote session for Birmingham, Derby, Tower Hamlets, Barnsley & Wakefield – Please contact training if you can not attend your allocated slot |
| May | BLS Andy Train | Tues | 6th | F2F | All colleagues in Wakefield have been sent a calendar invitation |
| May | BLS Andy Train | Weds | 14th | F2F | All colleagues in NE Lincs have been sent a calendar invitation |
| June | BLS Andy Train | Tues | 10th | F2F | All colleagues in Lancs have been sent a calendar invitation |
| July | BLS Mark the Medic | Weds | 9th | F2F | All colleagues in Connect4Health services due for renewal have been sent a calendar invitation |
| July | BLS Mark the Medic | Fri | 18th | F2F | All colleagues in Derby services due for renewal have been sent a calendar invitation |
| July | BLS Mark the Medic | Weds | 9th | F2F | C4H – Venue tbc |
| July | BLS Mark the Medic | Fri | 18th | F2F | Derby CL & ETISS – Coney Green |
| August | BLS Andy Train | Thurs | 7th | Remote | Mop up remote sessions for C4H, Derby & Lancs |
| October | BLS Mark the Medic | Weds | 15th | F2F | Derby CL & ETISS – Coney Green |
| November | BLS Mark the Medic | Weds | 19th | F2F | Birmingham W9 &10 |
| December | BLS Mark the Medic | Weds | 17th | F2F | C4H – Venue tbc |
| January | BLS Andy Train | TBC | TBC | TBC | Mop up session for Derby, Birmingham & C4H |
Non Mandatory Courses
| June | Mental Health First Aid | Weds | 11th | Sarah Watson Facilitating |
| June | Restorative Supervision | Thurs | 12th | Restorative Supervision Training – Chesterfield – x2 spaces left – please liase with your manager |
| June | Mental Health First Aid | Weds | 18th | Sarah Watson Facilitating |
Please email Training to book.
Creating conversations
At our February meeting, SLT discussed the best ways to share our new Business Plan with all Compass colleagues so it forms part of conversations at individual and service / department levels. The focus was on enabling colleagues to engage in meaningful conversations about Compass’ priorities and consider how their role will help to contribute towards us collectively achieving them.
Compass Community ideas
As part of our new Compass Community social value offer (formerly known as Positive Effect), SLT reviewed the list of suggestions / ideas from central services colleagues as to how local businesses could support Compass’ work nationally. The Compass Community team will now take forward those suggestions by contacting local organisations including those where central staff have existing links or contacts. SLT also agreed some key principles in developing corporate partnerships that will underpin the types of businesses that we want to engage with as well as those we don’t, taking into account Compass’ charitable purpose. The Compass Community team will use these principles to shape their discussions and agreements with businesses.
40th anniversary
SLT also talked through some ideas as to how Compass could celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026. It was agreed a small working group would consider a range of options and get input from service and department leads as well as the Compass Board.
Know our Senior Leadership
Click pic for more info.
People Director.
Click pic for more info.
Assistant Director (Operations). Click pic for more info.
2025 Awareness Calendar
Compass head office staff have produced a new Awareness Calendar for use in services. The Calendar is a live document. The EDI Thematic Working Group will agree more key dates and events in their upcoming meetings, which they will support organisation-wide.
See the latest Calendar for 2025 here.
U:\Staff Updates\Awareness Calendar and newsletter
Contacting your People Team
General People Team queries: peopleteam@compass-uk.org
Recruitment and onboarding queries: recruitment@compass-uk.org
Training queries: training@compass-uk.org
Compass Points email address.
You can get in touch with Compass Points via our email address. It’s compasspoints@compass-uk.org.
If you want to say thank you please remember to start the subject line with Just Say Thanks
Tell us your news…
Next deadline for Compass Points is 24th March, 2025.
Please note that sometimes, we may not publish all stories in the month they are submitted. Because of the volume of Say Thanks messages, we ask that they’re as brief as possible. We may need to edit any submitted content.
Please send all submissions, including thank yous, to compasspoints@compass-uk.org“