A month of progress, as we hit important goals
by Rachel Bundock, Compass CEO
Welcome to our October edition with lots to report on. It’s been another busy month with lots of incredible work going on across services, departments and organisational steering groups.
We have an update resulting from this month’s EDI meeting outlining the various programmes of work being undertaken to further embed EDI across all aspects of Compass.
We’ve had an excellent response to our first staff survey. A whopping 84% of you took the time to share your views and experiences for which SLT are very grateful as this will allow us to really understand what you think we are doing well on and prioritise the areas we need to improve. Your Voice does really matter in helping us become the employer of choice. The results from the survey will be shared in January once the People team have had time to analyse the data.
We’re also launching this year’s CEO Values Champions awards, a hugely important part of our annual calendar when we get the opportunity to share and celebrate the amazing work you do. This year the awards will be open for nominations during the month of November so we very much look forward to receiving nominations from across all areas of Compass.
About inspiring and aspiring…
Finally, as a member of the National Leaders Council, Jan Smith and I attended an afternoon tea event chaired by Lord David Blunkett at the House of Lords. The theme of the event was overcoming adversity where Lord Blunkett shared his own personal experience of the challenges he faced attending a school for the blind from the age of 4 and his father’s untimely death from a workplace accident when he was 12.
He shared the lack of aspiration that his school teachers had for him and his peers because of his disability and that it was both his own resilience (using his other senses to compensate for his lack of sight) and the kindness of an adult who gave up their own time to tutor him which got him to college and then on to university. What struck me in hearing his story was the important role we play as adults and professionals in helping inspire our future generation.
When famous and successful people look back on their journeys, they always speak of the kindness and belief of one individual who made a difference to their lives. It was a powerful reminder that kindness, giving someone your time and instilling a sense of worthiness are the greatest things we can give to children and young people. Because that in turn creates hope, aspiration, self belief and resilience.
Big staff response to first Your Voice survey
Four out of every five members of staff at Compass completed the inaugural Your Voice staff survey, which ran through October.
The five minute, online questionnaire was done by 271 employees out of 323 – that’s 84%.
Kim Jones, People Director, said: “I’d like to express a huge thank you to everyone who took part.
“We hoped we’d get a representative sample of the Compass population – but we’ve been able to get the views of the vast majority of people who work for Compass which is an amazing response to our first staff survey. Along with all in the SLT, I’m absolutely delighted with the response rate.
“Now, comes the task of collating and reviewing the answers to produce a results report which we will share as soon as possible in the New Year.”
The results of the Your Voice staff survey will provide a baseline of data so the People Team can track our progress and improvements.
Staff were asked for their views on our strategy and values and about our leaders. It also asked for views on how it feels to work for Compass and how inclusive we are. “Your Voice” will be key in helping make Compass an ‘employer of choice’.
Search begins for this year’s CEO Values Champions
Compass managers are being invited to submit their nominations for our 2023 CEO Values Champions.
With the deadline for submissions set at the end of this month, the Senior Leadership Team will consider the prestigious list in December. And our four values winners will be announced in January 2023.
Compass CEO Rachel Bundock will get the deciding vote on our winners and will present our values champions with their awards in the new year.
Last year, winners of the Values Champions awards travelled to a city centre restaurant in Sheffield to receive their trophies from Rachel. Also present, were Compass Chair Claire Wesley and People Director, Kim Jones.
Managers are asked to nominate a team member they believe exemplifies one of our four values of Integrity, Valuing Each Other, Being Solution Focused and having a Consistent and Reliable Approach.
Before submitting your nomination, you should get approval from your ADs/Head of Department.
In a new video, Compass People Director, Kim Jones says of the awards: “We’re now asking managers to begin thinking about their nominations and submit their nominations in the month of November.
“And just as a reminder, each of the four values winners will get an extra day’s annual leave the following year, £500 to do with what they wish and a trophy and certificate.”
,Our “CEO Values Champion” Awards are the top tier of our reward and recognition package. Our “Say Thanks” initiative runs each month in Compass Points giving the opportunity for team members to acknowledge great support and work from others.
There is also the “Everyday Hero” award scheme which gives team managers the flexibility to award individual or team effort of going above and beyond.
More information on the schemes including the nomination process for “CEO Values Champion” can be found here U:\People Team\My Compass Awards
New Equality Diversity and Inclusion Framework aims to “leave no stone unturned” – Rachel.
Compass’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion steering group met this month and considered a proposal to develop a new wide ranging EDI Framework, which is aimed at replacing our existing EDI policy.
CEO Rachel Bundock, who chairs the group, said: “The new Framework looks to go beyond the confines of a statement of intent and policy, extending to procedures and guidance, providing tangible and practical support to staff at all levels within Compass. We recognise that for EDI to be properly embedded in all aspects of Compass requires a whole organisational approach so our policy framework will be integrated to cover both staff and service users..
“We are identifying and prioritising workstreams and implementing as we go.”
Service Development Improvement Plans fall within the Framework and senior operations have been working with managers to implement them locally.
Other pieces of work being considered are EDI thematic working groups, Staff induction, Training & competency framework, Discrimination definitions, Health Equity / Equality Impact Assessmentsand a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian.
Attendees to the Teams meeting also agreed to focus on three EDI thematic groups initially. Those groups are Race and Culture, LGBTQ+ and Learning disabilities; it was agreed that further groups on Gender and Physical Disabilities would be rolled out later next year.
The group agreed to open membership of the groups to all at Compass led by line managers. It is hoped the first group meetings will be held before the end of the year.
The focus of the working group will include:
- Keeping up to date on latest developments and changes in legislation, policy, and best practice
- Developing strategies and initiatives to promote inclusivity, awareness and the equitable opportunities specific to theme
- Disseminating best practise new initiatives across the organisation
- Creating, updating and sharing central resources for their area of expertise
- Increasing awareness and knowledge as part of Compass EDI awareness calendar including micro training events such as “lunch and learn or “TED Talks”
- Communicating the work
- Identifying barriers and challenges faced by individuals
Service news
Our new phone app improves access to emotional health and wellbeing support for Wakefield’s children, young people and families
Compass and Visiba Care have partnered to create Wakey Wellness, an innovative app which provides […] Continue reading
Safe East staff get digital training to enhance their work with young people
The staff at Safe East, our Tower Hamlets service for young people, took time out […] Continue reading
Our Resilience Project presented to mental health network
Becca Holmes, Compass GO! Supervising Practitioner, has given a well received presentation to members of […] Continue reading
Resilience Project’s Wellbeing Festival a big success
The Resilience Project at Compass GO! held its Wellbeing Festival at The Trin Centre, Cleethorpes […] Continue reading
Strengthening our connection with the local community through crafts
The Derby / shire Changing Lives, Ilkeston MHST have been working alongside Parkside High CIC […] Continue reading
Danielle inspires trainee teachers at Nottingham Trent university
Our Positive Effect Wellbeing Trainer, Danielle Grant has delivered a one hour workshop to 35 […] Continue reading
Georgia dives in to raise money for a worthy cause
Trainee education mental health practitioner, Georgia Bone, bravely took to the skies and dived out […] Continue reading
World Mental Health Day 2023
By Vicky Robson, School Nursing Healthcare Support Worker, Warwickshire Connect 4 Health
Kate Perham and I attended Leamington College and Moreton Morell College for their events for World Mental Health Day. Along with other local agencies, we attended with an information board and lots of resources for students, spoke to loads of students and both events were a success and were well attended.
Birmingham session
Hayley Spies, Jessica Kennedy and Yve Spray at Birmingham MHST attended an event for World Mental Health Day hosted by the Forward Thinking Birmingham, the city’s mental health partnership aimed at 0-25 year olds. Delegates shared information to support “Recovery & Growth: Building a life worth living”. Looking at the CHIME model of recovery (Connected, Hope, Identity, Meaning and Purpose, Empowerment). It aimed to develop ideas in supporting the CYP&C of Birmingham.
The morning session consisted of workshops and discussions including What is helpful help? Themes from post-traumatic growth research, Recovery through activity by Occupational Therapy-What is a peer support worker? The afternoon session focused on table activities and interactive stalls. By Yve Spray, Trainee EMHP, Birmingham MHST.
Grateful for the help and support you’ve received from a colleague? Tell us about it…
Just Say Thanks…
A HUGE well done to Harry Dixon and Lily Cooper for passing their trainee course and becoming qualified EMHPs- so proud of them both. 😊 – Laura Lockett, Service Manager, Compass GO…
Sarah, this will never be enough to thank you for what you do for us here at Compass Bloom.
Here goes… Thank you soooo much for all your hard work, I and the service would not be able to function without you. Your enthusiasm, your positive and supporting nature makes working with you and alongside you an absolute pleasure. There is never a job that you don’t give 100% to even the not so nice jobs 😊. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you do, your hard work and your support is very much appreciated and I’s so happy you are here with me here at Compass Bloom 💜. Thanks Carla x – Carla Hickman, Senior Administrator, Compass Bloom.
I would like to say a massive thankyou to Siobhan Kearney for all her help and support in setting up and training staff in IAPTUS in Birmingham; overseeing the office renovations in Derby; project management support for the recruitment for Wave 10 in Changing Lives and just for being you! Really appreciated – Sue Berry, Assistant Director, Operations.
Now that we have finished our EMHP training year, we would like to give a big thank you to Zowie (Paton) and Vicky (Triffitt) for going above and beyond to support us throughout our training and helping us transition into our new role of EMHPs. The wider Compass GO team have also been a wealth of knowledge and support throughout the year and we both could not be more grateful. – Harry Dixon & Lily Cooper, EMHPs, Compass GO…
Thanks to the team in Compass Changing Lives for supporting with reducing our waiting list time across the service by picking up 20 cases from other teams within the service that had been waiting from anywhere between 3- 6 months plus. Great teamwork! – Davinder Kaur Sahota, Clinical Operations Manager, Compass Changing Lives MHST.
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of the North Yorkshire Phoenix team. I feel incredibly lucky to work alongside such motivated, compassionate and dedicated individuals. You humble me everyday with not just the support you show to the young people in our care but to each other. Nothing ever feels like its too much trouble (although I know I often ask a lot of you) and everyone is so solution focused and positive and just happy to do what every you can to help each other out! Thank you all so much, just for being you. – Lotty Jarvis, Team Lead (Clinical), Compass Phoenix.
A big thank you to Clare Hitchen for supporting me with the Quality Assurance work over the last 10 months, you have been great to work with – I will miss you ☹ – Sue Cody, Quality Assurance Lead.
Take Good Care – Your Health and Wellbeing with Danielle Grant
Usually, the monthly wellbeing column offers suggestions about how to use the 5 ways to wellbeing model, to feel good and function well. It’s fair to assume that this is the main objective. From this column, we can infer that by following the ideas or implementing adapted versions of them you will in turn have ‘Good Wellbeing’. A + B = C right?
But what if that doesn’t work? What if the assumptions are all wrong and that we can function well but indeed do not have good wellbeing? These assumptions are as unrealistic as the social expectation that everyone loves the various ‘holidays’ we have around the corner; there will be joy and laughter.
That is, of course, in part true. There will be some moments when you are having fun, with people that are energising and make you feel great. But there will be moments when you are downtrodden, and people around you have become energy vampires. There will be times when you are motivated and the 5 ways to wellbeing is another tool in your arsenal- you feel fortified and resilient. But there will be other times when nothing will help and your arsenal (or cup) is empty and there is nothing left.
It reminds me of the Dr Suess Poem- ‘Oh the Places you’ll go” – one of my all time favourites. It is such an honest reflection on life. If you have not read it, I highly recommend it; the theme is very much: You will be fine, you will be great and you will achieve. Until you don’t. Then, you won’t. Life will be good sometimes and everything will flow, but sometimes it doesn’t and sometimes it just is tough.
There are too many variables, stakeholders and moving parts to coordinate to ensure smooth sailing the entire day, every day. It is like being expected to sail a boat across the sea, in a storm, with a hole in the sail. Chances are, there will be some rough days.
So I guess this month, I am not going to talk about a particular ‘wellbeing’ strategy. Sometimes as a ‘grown up’, as a parent, as a professional, as a friend, partner or spouse you are not the pillar of strength you want to be.
Life can be hard work and can constantly challenge you. So, if sometimes you wake up and say to yourself: “Not today, pumpkin,” I think we can all forgive that of others and of ourselves.
Reviewing progress against strategic priorities
Senior Leadership Team Update
As well as fine tuning our proposed organisational development plan, ahead of our strategic planning day with the Board in November (which will include the resources we need to develop our central and local infrastructures as we continue to grow, career progression pathways, etc.), we also reviewed progress against our strategic priority workstreams.
We reflected on the progress made in developing an EDI policy framework that will bring together procedures and contemporary practices required to effectively support our workforce and service users.
Priority workstreams underway include reviewing EDI training and competency requirements, staff induction and individual responsibilities to provide people with clarity on roles and responsibilities at different levels of the organisation. All proposed changes will be considered by senior operations, managers, and the EDI steering group in December before being finalised and implemented across Compass over the coming months.
We reviewed the excellent progress being made by Sue Berry and the Birmingham team as they continue to implement the new service which went live in September. And the successful transfer of the Coventry Children Looked After mental health service and staff team to Compass led by Jane Wright which went live in October.
SLT members also received an update on the progress made to recruit to six new additional teams across Derby and Birmingham in January 2024 as part of the wave 10 MHST roll-out.
Finally, we reviewed the work undertaken to date as part of our business development priorities for the remainder of the year, which is to successfully defend the Tower Hamlets Safe East contract and prepare for upcoming opportunities to develop a system-wide early intervention offer building on existing contracts.
SLT reflected on the significant preparatory work completed by those involved and remained confident we were in a strong position ahead of the tenders going live.
Know your Senior Leadership Team…
| Rachel Bundock | Chief Executive |
| Mark Roberts | Director of Finance |
| Kim Jones | People Director |
| Jan Smith | Operations Director |
| Lisa Gale | Assistant Director (Operations) |
| Sue Berry | Assistant Director (Operations) |
| Jane Wright | Assistant Director (Operations) |
| Rose Kearns | Assistant Director – Business Development |
| Sue Cody | Quality Assurance Lead |
Safeguarding update, with Jan Smith, Operations Director
Focus on FGM
This month’s safeguarding feature has a focus on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) following a recent case in one of our Compass services where the team had to consider protection from harm for a 6 year old in their care. Talking about these circumstances in a child’s life always creates an opportunity to reflect on our responsibilities and role in working with girls who are at risk of/subject to FGM.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but where there’s no medical reason for this to be done. It’s also known as ‘female circumcision’ or ‘cutting’ and is usually carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15, most commonly before puberty starts. It is illegal in the UK and is child abuse.
FGM causes considerable pain and can seriously harm the health of women and girls. It can also cause long-term problems with sex, childbirth and mental health.
In the recent discussion and action the Compass team shared information with partners and professionals and created supportive and honest relationships with the parents to protect the girl from future harm and to prevent risk associated with FGM. But it was also a reminder that the responsibility to safeguard in FGM includes a statutory responsibility to report FGM (a link and more information is available in the Safeguarding Policy).
NSPCC have produced information to help increase knowledge of FGM please use this link https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/ to learn more about FGM including information on those most at risk and access to a specialist helpline.
If you would like to know more about Compass Safeguarding practices or you would like to suggest a focus for the Safeguarding feature in Compass Points which will help your colleagues gain a greater insight into safeguarding practices please let Jan know – jan.smith@compass-uk.org
Quality report by Sue Cody, Quality Assurance Lead
CGG convenes at Safe East in London
Members of our Clinical Governance Group (CGG) attended Tower Hamlets Safe East for the quarterly CGG meeting. The CGG is an advisory group to the Board of Directors and has members of non-executive directors, members of SLT, (CEO, operations director, assistant directors (operations), senior operations manager, and Quality Assurance Lead) as well as independent topic experts.
This was a great opportunity to see the service at a local level and provide the opportunity for Non Executive Directors Claire and Len and members of SLT to meet staff within the service and share the great work that they are doing.
Find out more about the work of the Clinical Governance Group
The Clinical Governance Group is an advisory group to the board and is held quarterly. This is includes discussing and sharing information from the Directorate Clinical Working Groups, Case Studies from each directorate, discussion and feedback on service and organisation audits, discussion of themes and any incidents of concern and lessons learnt, report on complaints and compliments, monitoring of organisational Clinical and Safeguarding procedures and policies and reviewing the organisational clinical risk register. This ensures that the services Compass provides are providing safe and effective care, always striving to continuously review and improve.
Sue says: “As Quality Assurance Lead, I report to the CGG on all the above alongside OD, and ADOs to ensure that we are delivering effective Clinical Governance across the organisation. For further information about CGG and clinical governance, the Clinical Governance Process document sits in P:\Clinical.
Launch of SDIP
A new Compass Operational Service Development and Improvement Plan (SDIP) was launched at the Service Managers’ meeting online in September.
The SDIPs are to ensure there is a consistent approach across services, while ensuring all services apply their local knowledge, data, individual service goals and aspirations within this.
Service Managers will be discussing and working with all members of the team on their Service Development and Improvement plans over the coming months.
This document was piloted successfully by Compass Elevate and Compass Safe East in July.
Alongside this the Management of Stakeholder Feedback Policy was published, this is the first version and supersedes the Service User Feedback Policy. This policy encompasses the importance of ensuring that services meet the needs of CYPF and how feedback from our CYPF and stakeholders is crucial, highlighting the need for addressing priority areas for continuous improvement within the service SDIPs.
For more information the documents are available below.
Compass Operational Service Development and Improvement Plan (SDIP)- U:\Quality\Service Development and Improvement Plan
Management of Stakeholder Feedback Policy – P:\Operations
Assessment Quality Audits
It’s great that all our Assessment Quality Audits, were completed by all services in August.
I can say that overall, there was a high standard of documentation within the assessments completed by practitioners across all services.
Assessment Audit focuses on reviewing the quality and effectiveness of the assessments of children and young people which are completed by our practitioners that are referred and accepted into our services.
The Assessment Quality Audit Tools are available here:
Assessment Quality Audit Tools – U:\Quality\Audit Resources\Assessment – Quality Audit Tools
Contacting your People department
General HR queries: hr@compass-uk.org
Recruitment and onboarding queries: recruitment@compass-uk.org
Training queries: training@compass-uk.org
You can now get in touch with staff looking after Compass Points via our new email address. It’s compasspoints@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
Compass Awareness Days Calendar for 2023
The Compass Awareness Calendar for 2023 is our most comprehensive yet and has new sources including the NHS. Please take a look to see what’s coming up in the next month or two and through the year.
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