peoplematter Issue 5May 2012

ContentsWelcome ................................................ 2Children’s centres contract award .......... 3Tipton pupils providing telecare solutions ................................................. 5Safeguarding Children Board hosts annual conference ................................. 6School funding reforms .......................... 7World Social Work Day awards ............. 8Developing services for looked after children .................................................. 9Fostering Fortnight – 14 to 27 May ....... 10Sandwell's Health and Wellbeing Board update ......................................... 12Whole of Life event ................................ 14

Sandwell Council ASSIST ...................... 15Can you dig it? ....................................... 16Sandwell Local Government Apprenticeship Scheme ......................... 17Sandwell’s Young STARS receive awards ................................................... 18Charity takes over three care homes ..... 21All go for new Tipton pool ...................... 22Campaign to tackle isolation of deaf teenagers launched ............................... 23An Evening with Dementia ..................... 24All change for Walkwell .......................... 25Employee survey results – update ......... 26

Whole of Life event at The Public

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Welcome

I hope you enjoy reading the May issue of People Matter.

I know from speaking with staff and service users how much hard work goes on each day in Sandwell on behalf of the local residents. However, each time I read a People Matter issue it reminds me again about the breadth of services that are provided to the diverse range of communities in Sandwell and how well we do that.

This is not a call for complacency as there is always scope for doing things better but I think we do not always take the time to celebrate. This issue sees a focus on two celebrations – our World Social Work Day awards and our Young Stars awards. Let us remember what is going well in Sandwell and feature more good news stories in People Matter and our wider communications.

The council's Employee or Team of the Month scheme is an opportunity to celebrate your achievements and successes. You can nominate a fellow employee or team for a monthly award. So if you wish to make a nomination, please submit it via the intranet. If you are a council employee with no intranet access, contact People Communications and Engagement Team.

If you have a story to tell then contact us and let more of us hear about it.

About peoplematter

peoplematter is published by the People Communications and Engagement Team and can be found on the council's intranet.

If you are an external organisation and would like to receive peoplematter contact the team via people_comms@sandwell.gov.uk or ring 0121 569 5438.

Barbara Peacock Corporate Director – People

The People theme brings together services that promote the health, safety, wellbeing and learning experiences of Sandwell's citizens at all stages in their lives. Many of our services focus on the most vulnerable adults and children.

Barbara Peacock Corporate Director – People

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Children’s centres contract awardFollowing an exhaustive commissioning and transparent procurement process Sandwell Council is now able to announce the names of the organisations it intends to appoint to run children’s centres in the borough.

In line with the council’s decision, the whole service has been contracted out and the contracts have been organised on seven individual lots and awarded for three years (with an option for a further two years). The lots are in line with the geographic boundaries of the six towns and the Local Learning Communities (hence seven lots, as West Bromwich has two Local Learning Communities).

The council is set to award contracts to Action 4 Children, Murray Hall Community Trust, Health for Living and Barnardos following the required 10 day standstill period. See table for details.

All of the lead agencies are third sector (not for profit) organisations. The new contracts will provide services that will build on the strengths and successes of children’s centres over the past ten years. We have revised the service specification to cover a wider age range (0 –19). There will be closer links to children’s social care and we have strengthened the arrangements for safeguarding.

The model for children’s centres, based on the seven localities, will facilitate more collaboration between centres and other services such as schools. As a result there will be better integration of service delivery with formal links to more targeted and specialist support to families.

There will not be any immediate changes as there needs to be a transition period following the contract award stage to enable the new lead agencies to smoothly implement the new contracts. It is intended that, depending on the complexity of the transition process, the new contracts will officially start between May and July 2012.

If you would like further information, please contact, Mark Gibbs on 0121 569 5646 or mark_gibbs@sandwell.gov.uk.

Town (local learning community)

Children's centresOrganisation the council intends to enter into contract with

SmethwickCape Hill and Windmill, Bearwood, Uplands and Londonderry, Galton Valley

Action 4 Children

Oldbury Oldbury, Green Acres Health for Living

Rowley Rowley Hall, Rowley Springfield, Cradley Health, Tividale Health for Living

Tipton Tipton, Great Bridge, Burnt Tree Murray Hall Community Trust

West Bromwich South

Greets Green, West Bromwich, Bright Future Action 4 Children

West Bromwich North Hillside, Great Barr Barnados

Wednesbury Friar Park, Wednesbury North Health for Living

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Tipton pupils providing telecare solutions The staff of STAY Team (Sandwell Telecare Assisting You) joined forces with RSA Academy in Tipton to develop solutions to help vulnerable people live at home as safely and independently as possible.

The team challenged pupils at the Academy to design new pendant adaptors for triggers used in telecare packages so those with limited dexterity could press them more easily.

The project finished with a presentation from the pupils to representatives from STAY and the manufacturer of the pendants.

There was a huge amount of enthusiasm and creativity from pupils and some of the designs were regarded as outstanding. Class tutor Chris Smith said: “I am delighted that we have been able to take part in such a worthwhile and innovative programme. Our students have risen to the task and produced outstanding designs. This is true citizenship in action.”

The Academy and STAY will be working on another project with next year’s students.

5 RSA Academy in Tipton

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Safeguarding Children Board hosts annual conferenceThe Sandwell Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB) held its annual conference on 22 March at the Public in West Bromwich.

The SSCB is an independent body which co-ordinates local work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Its members include Sandwell Council, police and the NHS.

One hundred multi-agency delegates attended the event, with the question this year being “what is ‘good enough’ parenting?” Professor David Howe from the University of East Anglia talked about child development, assessment and intervention, to help delegates recognise signs of abuse, and make decisions about what to do next.

The day was closed by the Independent Chair of the Board, Sally Rees, who has taken on the role of Chair for both the children and adult safeguarding boards. She said: “Professor Howe is widely respected in the field of abuse and neglect and he gave delegates useful insights into child development, assessment and intervention.”

A series of workshops were also held at the conference on multi-agency practice issues.

Sally has a clear idea of both her intentions and the wide remit of her responsibility. She said: “In both children and adult boards I have a real opportunity to help all of our partners work together in ensuring safeguarding people of whatever age."

For more information about the SSCB visit www.sandwelllscb.org.uk

Sally Rees, Chair

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School funding reformsThe Department for Education (DfE) has published a consultation document about school funding reform. The changes are planned to start in April 2013 and the headlines are:

• Local authorities have to simplify their local school funding formula and will be consulting with schools in the summer.

• The pupil count used to calculate funding will move from January to the preceding October.

• Funding for some services will transfer from the local authority and will go into school budgets.

• Any reduction in funding for individual schools will be limited to 1.5% per pupil.

• New rules for funding special schools and pupil referral units.

These changes will impact on all services providing support to schools. Service Director for Learning and Culture, Brian Aldridge, and Service Director for Children and Families, Helen Smith, are forming a task and finish group to assess the implications and to manage the process.

The World Social Work Day Awards were held at the Public on 27 March. This was a chance to say a special “thank you” to the exceptional people working in social care. Here are the winners.

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And the winners are...

Thank you for making a difference to the people of Sandwell

Well done to all the winners and those who were nominated

Tiffany Bridgewater Karen Key Melanie Jarvis

Newly Qualified Social Worker of the Year 2012

Social Worker of the Year 2012

Social Work Manager of the Year 2012

Other winners: Social Worker of the Year 2012

Elizabeth BrunBimla Kumari

Marlene FrancisFiona Tlou

Please save the date: World Social Work Day March 2013

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Developing services for looked after childrenSandwell Council’s Corporate Parenting Strategy outlines how the council and its partners will improve the outcomes for looked after children and care leavers and ensure they have positive experiences across a range of services.

As part of this the Looked After Children (LAC) Board held an event at The Public in February, entitled 'Have Your Say Day'. The aim of the day was to promote the LAC Board and seek the views of our looked after children and young people in respect of their awareness of the Board and its functions, agree priorities for the Board for the coming 12 months and to recruit new members to the Board.

A range of professionals attended to support the day that was organised and co-ordinated by a small working group from the Quality Development Unit, LAC Service, Young People's Service and Integrated Youth Support Service.

Approximately 70 children and young people attended. Some children (this included a significant number of under 4s) attended with their carers, others were supported to attend by the professionals working with them and some attended independently. Attendance equated to approximately 12% of Sandwell's looked after population.

The feedback from participants was very positive in terms of it being an 'enjoyable day' and gaining knowledge.

External agency Springboard has been commissioned to undertake a piece of work to review the Board and will be making recommendations about how to positively move things forward.

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Pam – in her own wordsTo mark fostering fortnight we are giving you an insight into the life of a foster carer, in their own words…

Pam from Tipton has been fostering for Sandwell for over eight years. As well as caring for up to three children at any one time, Pam also helps to train and mentor new foster carers. Here, Pam tells us what it’s like to be a Sandwell foster carer:

Why did you become a foster carer?I knew a few people who were fostering and thought to myself – I can do that, and better. I’d got to the stage in my life where my own kids were more and more independent and just didn’t know what to do with myself.

What was your first experience of fostering like?When I started fostering eight years ago, I didn’t know what to expect. The first two little girls I looked after were like a whirlwind – they were fantastic. I’d prepared for them by getting my daughter’s toys down but they ended up ignoring the dolls and playing with my son’s toy trucks instead.

What do you think of fostering now?Fostering has opened my eyes, they’re not all angels. It’s a steep learning curve and every child is different – they all deserve a chance. My mom says that I thrive on chaos. I like kids to be kids – here they can relax, play – and if they need help, me and my family are here for them. I always prepare myself for a challenge

but I haven’t come across anything I can’t cope with.

You need to try and understand what the children have been through. By putting yourself in their shoes you can understand why they behave a certain way. I really hold my hands up to the children; if I’d been through what they had I’d be ten times worse. They come through terrible times fantastically.

How do your birth children feel about fostering?My children are a great support to me. We’re always there for each other. Fostering has helped them to become the people they are today. They appreciate everything they have and are more willing to share with others. When the children need help with their homework, we all sit around the table and pitch in where we can. The children really learn from each other. My son is even tutoring one of the foster children staying with us. She seems to learn from him really easily. The other day she did really well in a maths test and came running in with a huge smile on her face desperate to tell my son.

How do you cope with saying goodbye to the children – do you keep in touch?Some of the children are still in touch with us – it’s so lovely to hear from them and see how they’re doing. You don’t forget any of them. It’s always going to be upsetting when children move on but then we always look forward to the next

children who will be coming to stay.

Do you have any special memories of fostering?We took two little girls on holiday to the seaside. They’d never seen a beach before and were screaming ‘Wow!’ at the top of their lungs. My own children were collecting seashells and the girls didn’t know what they were and were trying to copy by picking up handfuls of sand and putting it in their pockets. The one little girl picked up a rock and wouldn’t put it down all holiday – it was like her little pet rock.

What do you find rewarding about fostering?It’s very rewarding when you realise you’ve made a difference in a child’s life. When you get phone calls from teachers saying what the children have achieved – it’s great to know you’re making a difference even when you don’t realise you are.

Would you recommend fostering to someone thinking about it?I can’t recommend fostering enough. I have never looked back and could not see myself doing anything else. I have met such fantastic people and children through fostering.

The Family Placement Team are always looking for new foster carers. Call us on freephone 0800 358 0899 to find out more about fostering with Sandwell Council.

Fostering Fortnight – 14 to 27 May

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Sandwell's Health and Wellbeing Board updateThis is an update from Sandwell Health and Wellbeing Board’s meeting held in March 2012.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

The Health and Wellbeing Board have agreed a number of joint priority themes where mini JSNAs will be produced over the next 12 months. They will provide a review of the latest evidence and enable decisions to be reached on how to take work forward in these areas.

The Health and Wellbeing Board considered the draft Frail Elderly JSNA at the March meeting. Future challenges include planning ahead for an ageing population; improving the quality of life in old age; a focus on taking early action and delaying the risk of becoming frail; and services that are joined up and of a high quality. Some further work was requested by the Board, to build in the views and experience of local people and identify assets in the community that will help to tackle these issues.

The Board will consider an updated Frail Elderly JSNA at their next meeting in May. It was also agreed that the next JSNA priority theme to focus on is Early Years.

Future topic areas will include: • Adolescent health, particularly work

and education opportunities• Education, self care and

empowerment• Environment and its impact on health

• Learning disability• Long-term conditions/integrated care

(‘joined up’ approach across health and care organisations)

• Poverty• Workplace health and work

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy

The Board considered a draft Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy which includes an action plan with key interventions and outcome indicators for each of the seven high-level outcomes reported in the last newsletter. Further work is being done to refine the vision statement; say more about the impact of primary care; and explain how the Board will take a forward looking view on areas of service delivery that it is not directly responsible for, such as the future role of police commissioners.

The Board will consider a final draft Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy at their next meeting in May. The Strategy needs to be completed by July to meet requirements for the Clinical Commissioning Group authorisation process. A longer-term Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy will then be developed, informed by the above Joint Strategic Needs Assessment work that will come into effect from April 2013.

Wider communication and engagement

The Board gave the go-ahead to proposals in the Health and Wellbeing Board Communication and Engagement Plan for 2012/13. The aim is to take a more joined up approach to communications and engagement on the Board’s priorities working across the various organisational networks. The main focus will be on priorities for developing Joint Strategic Needs Assessments and the longer-term Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Over the next two to three months a Health and Wellbeing Board webpage will be developed and there are plans to make use of social media alongside other more traditional routes for ongoing two-way communication.

Transfer of organisational responsibilities

The Health and Wellbeing Board continues to keep pace with the proposed transfer of organisational responsibilities in the Health and Social Care Bill, particularly:• transfer of public health services to the local authority• development of Commissioning Support Services across both the Black Country

and Birmingham and Solihull PCT clusters • latest changes that will affect the development of local HealthWatch.

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Tuesday 17 April saw the launch of the Whole of Life approach in Sandwell, with a well-attended half-day event at the Public, in West Bromwich.

Hosted jointly by Sandwell Council, CARES, Changing our Lives and Ideal for all, more than 160 service users and stakeholders attended to have their say on how people with disabilities can receive health and social care support services from birth onwards.

A motivating opening speech by Chief Executive Jan Britton, talking frankly about his experience of growing up with a medical condition, set the tone for the day. Lively and moving presentations followed from Nigel Smith, a powerful self-advocate with a learning disability, Teresa Culverwell and Jenny Artwell who spoke from the viewpoint of parent-carers, and high-profile guest speaker Pippa Murray encouraged everyone to make the most of each day, by making ‘Whole of Life happen: starting now!’ To make the consultation meaningful, Whole of Life roundtable workshops were followed with the opportunity to put questions recorded during the day to a panel of experts, meaning attendees got immediate answers from lead officers across Sandwell’s adult and children’s social care.

Bigger issues that couldn’t be resolved were added to a ‘car park’, so attendees could see queries were carefully recorded, with a clear commitment for feedback to follow.

Feedback from attendees has been very positive overall, particularly from service users. Comments included, “This was a really good event , it’s brilliant to see the involvement that people have…(it has given me) excellent insight into issues faced as well as what is beginning to take place in Sandwell.”

For more information contact Barbara Herts, Programme Director Whole Life, on 0121 569 5885 or email barbara_herts@sandwell.gov.uk.

Whole of Life event

Sandwell Council ASSIST

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Sandwell ASSIST has been open for business since September 2010, with a dedicated team who have taken continuous strides to improve the performance of the service they deliver.

We reported last year that a project team was set up in November to look at steps that needed to be taken to make it easier for people to access the service, without losing any of the quality.

Areas of improvement

Statistics show that ASSIST is now answering more calls than before:• Prior to November 2011 only 59% of people got an answer to their call with

the other 41% choosing to hang up before we were able to answer. The abandonment rate now stands at around 20%.

• We are now answering 79% of the calls that are made to ASSIST, reaching a high of 92%.

• The amount of time people have to wait for their call to be dealt with has also reduced. Calls are now being answered on average in 2 minutes and 7 seconds, meaning waiting times for people contacting the service have reduced by more than half.

• Of the 21% of calls that are still being abandoned only 10% of those are after callers have waited longer than 20 seconds. This figure previously stood at 27%.

These initial improvements in performance are encouraging, but it is also clear we must continue to work on maintaining these standards. A service specification and improvement delivery plan are currently being drafted, and we will update stakeholders to share improvements and get feedback on our performance.

If you would like further information on Sandwell ASSIST email: people_comms@sandwell.gov.uk.

Can you dig it?For three weeks in March budding volunteer archaeologists and 150 pupils from three local primary schools joined council staff and archaeologists from Nexus- Heritage to see what they could find beneath the grounds of Manor House.

Over 400 people visited Manor House on 23 and 24 March to discover what the dig had unearthed, dating back to 1700. Lots of pottery and animal bones were recovered as well as garden terracing, an early 1800s forge (probably!), and sweets and crisp packets from the 1970s and 1980s.

The project was a real opportunity for local people to discover and share their own history and has received really positive feedback. The team is now planning to get the volunteers back try to set up a community archaeology group that can plan and carry out more excavations.

If you weren’t involved you can come along to the next events as Museums are looking to recruit more volunteers. Keep an eye on the Sandwell museums facebook page for more details www.facebook.com/sandwellmuseums.

16 The 'dig' team at Manor House

Sandwell Local Government Apprenticeship SchemeSandwell Council is embarking on a new apprenticeship programme aimed at getting young local people into employment.

Over the next four years the council will offer ten apprenticeships a year for a minimum 12 month period, which will include a recognised qualification.

The scheme will be managed by the Think Local Youth Employment Team, who will provide the support and advice to the apprentices, and be the link to the council.

The development of the programme is in its early stages, but one apprentice has been recruited and further posts have been advertised and are going through the recruitment process. An apprenticeship programme board will be setup to champion apprenticeships across the council and identify the skills shortages that can be addressed in various departments.

It is also expected that guaranteed interviews and priority, but not necessarily guaranteed placements, would be offered to young people leaving Council care.

Look out for more information on the scheme in the coming months. If you would like to find out more you can contact Suzanne Allen, Youth Employment Manager on 0121 569 2099.

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Sandwell’s Young STARS receive awardsSandwell’s talented young people were recognised for their achievements in a special awards ceremony.

The Sandwell Teenagers Achieve Recognition (STAR) Awards celebrated their achievements in either improving themselves or making a positive contribution to their communities.

The retiring Shadow Youth Cabinet and special guests presented the winners with their awards in front of an audience of 150 guests at The Hawthorns on March 30.The Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Joyce Underhill officially opened the awards, which are now in their fifth year.

The ceremony’s guest of honour was 16-year-old Ben Fowler from BBC1 show The Young Apprentice. Ben talked about his experiences on the show with Sir Alan Sugar and how he set up his own gardening business aged 12.

The STAR awards put a spotlight on the great work that young people do in their communities either as individuals or as a group and promote a positive image of young people.

The winners and runners up in each category were:

Pride of Sandwell Winner: Ahmed Ali

Young Carers AwardWinner: Adam GarrattRunner up: Sandwell Young Carers

Community Spirit AwardWinner: Abu SyddekRunner up: SPICES

Music AwardWinner: Inner City Kids Runner up: Julian Daley

Sports AwardWinner: Sandwell StarsRunner up: Callum Jones

Upcoming Star AwardWinner: Graeme HallRunner up: Joe Parker

Performing and Visual Arts AwardWinner: George Salter Collegiate AcademyRunner up: Thomas Rainsford

Long Service DedicationWinner: Leroy CohooneRunner up: Sarah Bentley

Bravery and Courage AwardWinner: Harvills Hawthorn Detached (Sophie Morris, Pagan Morris and Luke Scott)

Adult AwardWinner: Christine SmithRunner up: Paul Davis

One of the key aims of the awards is to help break down the negative stereotypes of young people and highlight excellent examples of how young people are and continue to contribute their time voluntarily, to help their communities.

Eighteen individual and group awards were presented to winners and runner up for a wide range of categories.

The main accolade of the evening, The Pride of Sandwell Award, was presented by the Mayor to Ahmed Ali.

Ahmed is currently studying Pharmacy at Staffordshire University. He was recognised for his work in the community, using football as a tool to overcome conflicts, prejudices and erase barriers amongst young people; uniting them with a shared interest.

The winners were presented with engraved trophies and runners up all received framed certificates.

Sharon Nanan-Sen, Principal Officer for Young People’s Services, gave special recognition awards to the retiring Shadow Youth Cabinet in recognition of their commitment to representing the voice of their peers. She officially presented them with their framed Princess Diana Certificate of Excellence for their efforts.

Young people from Sandwell schools and youth groups also gave entertaining performances, showcasing the talent that exists in Sandwell.

Mohammed Rohim and Adam Price, the joint chairmen of the retiring Youth Cabinet said: “These awards provide inspiration and highlight the commitment and dedication of Sandwell’s young people to contribute to their communities and their peers.”

18L to R: Superintendent Mark Robinson, Adam Garrat (Young Carers winner) and Joshua Singh (Youth

Elisha Iqbal (Youth Cabinet), Councillor Bob Badham (Cabinet member for Children and Families) and Sandwell Stars (Sports Award winner)

Callum Casey (Youth Cabinet), The Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Joyce Underhill and Ahmed Ali (winner of Pride of Sandwell)

Maryam Jabeen (Shadow Youth Cabinet), Brian Aldridge (Service Director Learning and Culture) (both centre) and SPICES (runner up of Community Spirit Award)

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Charity takes over three care homesSandwell Council has transferred three residential care homes to a charity to keep them open and save around 150 jobs.

Sandwell Community Caring Trust (SCCT) has taken over day-to-day running of Grafton Lodge in Oldbury, Glebefields in Tipton, and Greenhaven in Great Bridge under a 30 year contract.

Sixty seven people – including permanent and temporary residents – live in the homes. Many of them have dementia.

The council faced a choice of either closing the homes or finding an operator to run them to provide better value for money for the services being delivered.

Under the agreement the trust will build and open two new care homes on sites in the borough, yet to be identified.

The new arrangement will save the council around £1.5m a year.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for improvement and efficiency Councillor Mahboob Hussain said: “We have listened to what people told us and found a way to keep the homes open. It has not been easy but doing nothing was not an option. This solution will ensure continuing care for vulnerable people as well as retaining specialist services. It will also save dozens of jobs.

"Sandwell Community Caring Trust is an experienced operator with its roots in the Black Country and I am confident it will deliver the best possible service.”

A number of organisations expressed an interest in taking over the care homes.

SCCT chief executive Geoff Walker said: “We look forward to working with Sandwell Council on running these homes and ensuring residents’ dignity and quality of life.”

Care home staff will transfer to the trust.

All go for new Tipton poolWork has started on a new 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool at the corner of Alexandra Road and Thursfield Road in Tipton.

Alongside main and learner pools, there will be a changing village, dance studio and gym. It is hoped that the new centre will open in spring 2013.

Get involved, ask

questions and have your say

We welcome your views, comments and thoughts

on this project email cultural_services@

sandwell.gov.uk

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Campaign to tackle isolation of deaf teenagers launched

The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) is launching a campaign called Look, Smile, Chat to help deaf and hearing teenagers communicate with each other.

The campaign aims to reduce the social isolation experienced by some deaf teenagers by putting hearing teenagers in the shoes of their deaf classmates and giving them simple steps to make communicating easy.

Free resources, including short films, lesson plans and posters have been created for professionals working with young people.

NDCS is asking for your help in telling the teachers, social workers and other professionals you work with about the campaign and how they can help to improve the lives of the UK’s 45,000 deaf children.

For further information and to access the free resources, go to www.buzz.org.uk/looksmilechat.

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All change for Walkwell

Walkwell is a hugely popular programme that encourages and rewards people for walking more.

Previously called ‘Walk to Beijing’ the programme has now been operating for over five years and has encouraged nearly 10,000 people across Sandwell to walk more and improve their health.

In the past Walkwell has invited people to come along individually; now they are hoping to reach even more people, and target the programme more effectively, so they are looking for groups of seven people or more.

This is ideal particularly for school staff or parents, council or other workplace employees and other staff groups to take part in the programme, with rewards (shopping vouchers) for people who improve their health whilst taking part.

The programme is open to anyone aged 16 or over who lives in Sandwell, works or studies in Sandwell or has a GP in the borough.

Walkwell will:• check your height and weight, waist measurement and blood pressure• give you help and advice on how to increase the amount of walking you do• give you a step counter and a diary to fill in• invite you back after 14 weeks• perform the same measurements, and give you a reward if your health has

improved.

If you, or your organisation would like to take part, and you can identify at least seven people who can take part with you, Walkwell would love to hear from you. Contact Andrew Wood at andrew.wood@mytimehealth.co.uk or on 0121 612 1400.

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Employee survey results – updateAnalysis of the employee survey results has taken place and a breakdown of the results to service level is available on the intranet:http://intranet.sandwell.gov.uk/info/20167/chief_executive/1731/employee_survey_2011 A Cabinet Workshop has been held on the results and a report taken to Management Board. Based on this, four key topics have been identified as being priorities for directorates to address:• Leadership and vision• Managers facilitating workforce planning• All employees delivering value for money• All employees feeling valued for their contribution.

The results of the employee survey showed that many respondents had real concerns over several aspects of the council’s leadership and its commitment to make changes as a result of the survey.

Within the People Theme the breakfast briefings were setup as a result of requests from staff that senior managers provide a more visible presence. The feedback from these sessions has been very positive.

The new appraisal process is due to start shortly and managers should have started to arrange appraisal slots with their staff. The results from the employee survey should form part of the appraisal process and managers are encouraged to discuss their specific service results with their staff. Employees are also encouraged to make sure the employee survey is raised in their appraisals. This is a great opportunity for all employees to contribute suggestions which will bring about improvements to the four key topics and support the council’s drive towards achieving excellence.