The PIB has come a long way since it began in late 2016 as a forum for the Practitioners’ voice, and has developed further since we have been in the Trust. The PIB has actively promoted the Practitioners Voice, and has grown into a dynamic group which acts as a two way channel for communication, consultation and discussion between Practitioners and Senior Management. The PIB has also been actively involved in specific projects, such as the development of the Practice Standards booklets in 2019, and has inputted to a number of initiatives including: Supervision and Appraisal policies, the Learning Hub, the Worker’s Journey, and the Relationship Based, interactive 360 degree tool in development with the University of Birmingham.
In response to current working arrangements due to COVID-19, the PIB has continued to meet virtually and has provided a vital line of communication between Staff and Senior Management, highlighting concerns and challenges as well as reflecting on working practices which are working well; this has helped Management to respond to concerns directly in communications. For example the PIB strongly influenced the improvements made to PPE. As the focus begins to return to ‘Business as Usual’ and moving forward, some PIB members are also taking part in small Task and Finish groups around specific issues.
The PIB is highly valued by Senior Management, and either the Chief Executive or one of the Directors attend part of the meeting each month to hear the voice of practitioners and staff members.
It is essential that all staff voices right across the Trust are heard, and with this is mind, we need to broaden the membership of the PIB to include all areas of the Trust, including Support Services, so that all staff in the Trust are represented, and everyone’s voice is heard.
The Service Areas currently represented are: Care Management, Children in Care, MASH/SAAT, Fostering, EDT, CWD, Youth Offending Service, FST/FGC/MST, the Contact Centre, the Safeguarding Unit (IROs/CCs), Early Help, QA/BA, Business Admin, ASYE, and Students on Placement.
As the PIB broadens out we are seeking 2 staff representatives from each of the following areas:
• HR Service
• Finance Service
• Performance and Data Service
• Commissioning and Placements Service
• Systems and Programmes Service
• Partnership and Engagement Service
• SCSP Team
We meet on a Friday morning, once per month (next meeting is 17-07-20, 9.30 to 11.30). You don’t need to have any prior experience of a Staff Forum, just a willingness to participate and join in, collaborate with your colleague members of staff, and be the ‘voice’ for your part of the service. The only criteria is that you are not a Manager. Having 2 reps from your service means that one of you will always be able to attend and represent your service.
If you work in one of these areas and would like to become a PIB member, please contact Carol Singleton (Head of Practice and PSW) for any informal discussions – 07816178287.
Please send you nominations to Joanne Moore (Business Admin Officer, Workforce Development) by 10-07-20.
