News

Hi Team Derian, I hope that you are all well.

 

A huge Thank You to everyone who has taken the time to meet with either myself or Kim over the last few weeks/months.  Staff engagement is the heart of providing our excellent services and care, and we have welcomed the opportunity to get to know you and understand your thoughts and views.

 

I hope that you feel that you have been listened to.  But more than that I hope that you have felt heard.  We have captured everything that you have told us, and have done so confidentially.  It is important that you know that you can trust the new HR lead and your new CEO.

 

We have briefed the Trustees and SMT regarding the key outcomes from the feedback and are now sharing them directly with you.  This is a summary of the key themes that came up during the discussion, and more importantly what we are doing to improve things.  There will be some quick wins – which is great – but other things may take some time so please bear with us.

 

Remember, this is a summary and we have tried to group feedback under key themes.

 

 

You Said – KEY THEMES	We are Doing
There is a lack of clarity and understanding around Leadership, SMT, structure, roles and responsibilities, and the impact of this.	We will review the structure, roles and responsibilities and ensure this is fit for purpose for both our current and future delivery, and communicate fully.
Clarity and communication is needed about DHs strategy and plans, and what we are planning to do in the future.	We will provide a 1 page summary of our current plans, and will engage with all staff through a consultation process about what our next strategic plan should include.
Communication across teams could be improved	We are reviewing current communication and engagement methods and will produce a plan to improve.  It is important everyone recognise that good communication is everyone’s job.
A lack of trust across teams	Trust us, this will change as will build on the culture and values, but we need you to engage and support one another.  We will produce a plan to develop relationships and trust.
Inconsistency in management processes and decision making across teams	We will review our people management processes and our workforce plan, and we will ask you for your input into this.  We will provide training for all staff with supervisory roles on managing people the “Derian Way”.
A disconnect between Vinten Place Staff & Hospice Staff	We will develop a one team approach, starting with an away day and possible opportunities for job shadowing.  We will work towards a greater understanding of the different roles across the whole organisation and how equally important every role is.
Unequal contractual and non-contractual benefits packages across roles and teams	A full review of all contractual and non-contractual benefits across all roles is taking place and where we think we should make changes we will produce recommendations.  We will share these recommendations with you.
Improved / more Clinical Supervision required and staff counselling services	This is being actioned now.
Improved Car Parking	A review of the parking and options for additional parking is currently taking place.  Once we have costed plans we will consult with staff.
More robust debriefs after a difficult case/death of a child	This process will be reviewed immediately.

 

 

I am extremely keen to bring together as many staff and our trustees for a Derian House Away Day, which we hope will take place in June or early July.  We are looking at how we can ensure that as many staff as possible can attend.

 

This will be off site and will be externally facilitated, and we will explore:

 

• Employee Engagement – listening and capturing more views and ideas on the current services we provide, are we meeting needs ?
• Establishing a baseline for next steps/strategic planning – where do we want Derian to be in 1, 3, 5 years, time ?
• The Derian Experience – how do we make Derian House a great place to work for everyone ?

 

This will be a really productive day and the start of planning for the future, and you all have a vital role to play in that, therefore anyone that can’t attend will be asked to feed in through other methods so that we capture your views.

 

And finally, just as a reminder, the next We Are Derian meeting is planned for the 24^th May, and I look forward to seeing you there, it was record breaking attendance last time, and so I am expecting the same !! J

 

If you have any questions or feedback about the process so far, the feedback and actions, or any other points please do let me know.

 

Team Managers/Leaders, please can you ensure that staff who may not access email regularly have sight of this email.

 

Thanks everyone – and keep up the amazing work that you are all doing !

 

 

Best wishes   Karen   Karen Edwards OBE Chief Executive Officer