October/November
STAFF Newsletter
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Hi Staff
It was great seeing all those who were able to make the recent CEO Briefing on Microsoft Teams. In the meeting, we covered some of the interesting insights from the Staff survey, for which we received a fantastic 80% response rate. The information from that survey helps us to understand your experience working with Essential Personnel, what is working well, and where there are opportunities to improve what we do.
What we found was, we have a diverse workforce of which 41% of our staff are people with disabilities, 5% of our staff are of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, and 54% were female.
Our staff indicated strongly that they felt determined to give their best effort at work, they felt a sense of accomplishment. They felt Essential Personnel positively impacted peoples lives, is dedicated to diversity and inclusiveness and has a safe work environment.
Our staff also indicated that further development was needed for effective interdepartmental communication, and for the need to review our brand to better reflect the organisation. This honest feedback is valued at Essential Personnel as it enables us to shine a light on what we do well, whilst also making improvements to these areas. Thank you to all those that provided feedback.
The aim of these 20 minute CEO briefings is to provide you with more information about Essential Personnel and keep you informed on our key areas of focus. These briefings will continue to take place every second Thursday of each month on Microsoft Teams, please contact your line manager if you had any issues accessing the meeting.
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The Employment Buddy Program is now in full swing with our first group of young people heading out on their first four-hour work placements at the end of this month.
This week we have welcomed our second group and are asking for assistance in introductions to family, friends or previous colleagues in the following business areas:
- Warehousing, Logistics or Distribution organisations (Picker Packers, Storeperson roles)
- Pet Shops and Animal related jobs (Vets, Stables, RSPCA, Animal Havens etc)
- JB Hi-Fi or similar
- EB Games or similar
- As mentioned, financial incentives and training for the Buddy is provided.
If you would consider an email or phone call introduction for us, please contact or refer people to Sonia:
sonia.mackay@risenetwork.com.au or call 0460 417 323.
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Some exciting news, we have purchased the land next door to the Skills Centre in Northam. This addition to our Northam site will provide the potential for more community engagement and an increase of our services for people in the area.
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Kind regards,
Dawn McAleenan - CEO
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2nd Quarter Staff Award Winners
Thank you for your participation in the Second Quarter Staff Recognition Award.
The winner of the individual staff second quarter award is Bruce Fehlauer, and the team award this quarter went to the Coordination of Supports Team(Anita, Rachel, Brandon, Teeny)!
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From the nominations, it was clear Bruce puts in special effort for all the activities involved around supporting Customers, and the actions observed in his nominations show that he really lives Essential Personnel's values in what he does.
A few snippets from the feedback given explain that:
- Bruce is always very respectful and encouraging to Customers.
- He raises any concerns quickly, so they can be addressed and brings his solution to the table also.
- If he feels he needs more training he will ask.
- Bruce welcomes all new support workers and visitors with a friendly approach.
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Some of the feedback submitted for our Coordinators of Support highlighted that:
- They embody supported decision-making, working with customers while showing genuine care and respect for all parties involved.
- Our Support Coordinators go out of their way to ensure customers and their families feel understood. Examples of this include ongoing regular communication with customers and families, at a level above and beyond the typical industry norm, in person and over the phone, showing the value that they place in their customers' lives and individuality.
- Our support coordinators often share industry knowledge and best practice with each other.
- They also embody a balanced approach for bridging the gap between different services and roles that both Essential Personnel and the industry offer.
- They are not afraid to voice concerns where safety or poor practice are at play, always seeking the best outcome with genuine motives.
Well done to all winners, and thank you to all who submitted nominations. All staff are free to nominate any staff member or team, and you can nominate the same people again in the future if you wish.
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- You said you wanted more visibility from the senior management team - The CEO is now doing monthly briefings online ✅
- You said our branding does not reflect who we are - Essential personnel are engaging an external consultant to assist us in undertaking a review ✅
- The Property Care team said they wanted a new trailer - Rene was able to secure a grant from the Honda Foundation to provide a new trailer ✅
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Great news!
Essential Personnel’s Property Care Services team has received grant funding from The Honda Foundation for a purpose-built trailer to assist our team to perform gardening and maintenance work across the Wheatbelt region.
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This is Miranda, whom we've been supporting on her employment journey since 2015!
Miranda recently celebrated working at Woolworths for 25 years at the same store where she wears a wonderful smile everyday to work. Woolworths had put together a lovely morning tea and presented Miranda with flowers and a voucher, Essential Personnel also gave Miranda some flowers in appreciation for her hard work!
Well done to all our staff who continue to provide invaluable support to customers in their employment over the years!
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Just a reminder that Essential Personnel is committed to being a high performing organisation, that provides a high quality service to our customers.
One way we do this is to ensure that all staff have the appropriate knowledge, skills and training to perform their duties to the highest standards.
While line managers are always alert for relevant professional development training, did you know there are some great resources for you to find courses and training if you would like to increase your knowledge or learn something new?
The National Disability Services (NDS) and Disability Services Consulting (DSC) are great resources for different training opportunities.
https://www.nds.org.au/events-and-training
https://teamdsc.com.au/training
There is also specific training on ESS in the training centre for DES staff which can assist in building your skills and knowledge.
Your supervisions and appraisals are a great time to discuss your training needs and future aspirations. This would be a time to set a training plan of action moving forwards. However, you can have this conversation with your line manager at any time. 😊
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Feedback and Complaints
Essential Personnel staff and customers are encouraged to give feedback, as this helps us continually improve our services and supports for both staff and customers.
If you would like to get in touch with a compliment, feedback or complaint - please contact your line manager or our People and Culture Manager, Julie Carter.
A complaint could be an expression of, or the cause of, pain, anger, discontent, regret or annoyance relating to workplace grievances. Some examples of workplace grievances could include issues relating to:
- Bullying and harassment
- Discrimination
- Workplace health and safety
- Work environment
- Relationships in the workplace
- Organisational changes
- Terms and conditions of employment
You can also submit feedback and complaints via our website here: https://essentialpersonnel.org.au/contact-2
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With the onset of warmer weather, it is important to be aware of the hazard snakes may pose in the performance of your work. Please be especially mindful of potential snake encounters around garden and bush areas, or any dark warm place that may provide refuge for a snake. When walking in the dark, try to stick to well lit areas so you can see where and what you walk on.
If you encounter a snake
Please keep your distance if you spot a snake. This means refraining from trying to capture, kill or interact with a snake. Only trained and accredited snake handlers should be tasked with capturing and relocating the snake if required. Remember that under Australian legislation, native fauna are protected including snakes. If you do encounter a snake and it does not move on, please call Parks and Wilflife’s Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 and they will provide details of licensed operators who can safely relocate the snake.
West Australian Reptile Park highlight five species of snakes that may be encountered in and around Perth regions. For more information on the below species please visit here.
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Snake bites – First Aid
Royal Life Saving WA indicates that signs and symptoms of a snake bite include:
- A bite site
- Pain around the bite site
- Burning, tingling or abnormal feeling of the skin
- Abnormal heartbeat and pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Nausea or vomiting
Their recommended treatment for a snake bite is:
- Follow DRSABCD
- Contact 000 immediately
- Talk to and reassure the patient
- Restrict movement as much as possible
- Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage (if able to, mark the site with a pen)
- Immediate pressure over the bite site
- Apply a broad pressure bandage (10-15cm wide) firmly over the bite site
- Starting from the extremity (fingers or toes), bandage towards the torso or as much of the limb as possible
- Apply a splint to prevent movement
DO NOT wash the bite site as identification of the venomous snake may be made from remaining venom on skin or clothing.
DO NOT cut the bitten area.
DO NOT try to suck venom out of wound.
Please complete a hazard report if you sight a snake or an incident report if someone is bitten.
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Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Have a nice day!
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