skip to main content
Accessibility tool
Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999
Fully funded DfE Senior Mental Health Lead training now available for schools click here

New Changing Lives and Coventry staff praise inclusive Compass induction experience

Featured Video Play Icon

Published on: January 18, 2023

New staff at Compass Changing Lives mental heath support teams in Derby and Derbyshire have been reflecting on their three day induction to Compass.

Smita Sandhu, Team Leader for Compass Changing Lives tells us about her experience: “I think the staff were feeling nervous and possibly anxious about how the service will look and how it would meet their expectations. However, from the beginning, I sensed a very warm and a very family feel to Compass, which I still feel having been here for nearly three weeks!

“The first day had a lot of information, however, it was well organised. The three-day induction was quite relaxed and allowed for some light-hearted fun.”

Smita went on: “I am looking forward to a new Journey with Compass and to feeling positive about how we are working together to ensure that the Compass Changing Lives meets the needs of the children and young people in Derby and Derbyshire.”

Samantha Dodds, a Trainee Mental Health Practitioner for Compass Changing Lives said she gained knowledge, understanding and insight into the roles of Compass.

She said: “The personal way Rachael Bundock, the CEO shared the history, ethos and future vision of Compass really brought me in emotionally to the service and really fired me up to get going!”

Davinder Kaur Sahota, the service’s Clinical Operations Manager, also attended the event. She said she found it useful in many ways: “Firstly, I got to meet the team face to face and say hi to everyone.

“It was great that team building exercises were integrated into the day where feedback was taken on board where applicable. It was particularly beneficial to hear about Compass values, mission and aims and how Compass delivers the MHST model.”

Lauren Taylor, Supervising Practitioner for Compass Changing Lives said she enjoyed hearing how Compass “really invest in the whole school approach”.

She said: “This is something that I believe is so important.”

Also joining the Compass Changing Lives induction was the team from Compass Coventry.

Deborah, Practice Supervisor at Compass Coventry found the induction “insightful” and “exciting.”

“We’ve learned a lot and met with our counterpart teams,” she said. 

Saffron Mason, Implementation Manager for Compass was delighted with how successfully the induction went and seeing how the knowledge and passion that everyone brought with them will bring the vision for Compass Changes Lives MHST to life: “Bringing all these people together into one room has been really really powerful and people sharing their knowledge and experience has been fantastic.”

, ,