Berry Street Web Docs CEO's Report 2009 | Page 19

o o o o o o o o o o More than 90% of respondents in leadership roles said they had the skills and knowledge to manage team dynamics. A similar number indicated they were clear about organisational messages they were required to deliver. 87% of staff agree they are kept well informed about plans and progress of the organisation (76% last year). 78% of staff report regularly reading the Banner (down from 91% last year following a move to an electronic medium for distribution), which has now been redeveloped into an e-newsletter. Almost 54% of respondents think communication has improved in the last 12 months and another 36% think the current level meets requirements. The Berry Street Values are well understood with 97% of respondents saying they are aware of the Values and that they see others applying them in their work (same as last year). 92% of respondents indicated that their team regularly laughs and enjoys each other‟s company. 18% of respondents said they did not have the time they needed to reflect on their practice (35% last year). 72% of respondents believe that their competence in dealing with diverse cultures has improved in the last 12 months or that they were already skilled in this area. 79% of respondents indicate that they have a good work life balance (up 5% from last year). 99% of staff reported that they believe their job is worthwhile and 89.5% reported that the organisation also believed their work was valuable (up 4% from last year). A 3% salary increase for all staff in July. Fifteen (15) staff took advantage of our 8 weeks paid Maternity Leave and 2 weeks paid Parental Leave. We also continue to have a very good retention rate for those accessing this leave and expect all except one to return to work. More than 10% of our carers, staff and their families utilised our Employee or Carer Assistance Program (EAP/CAP). This is an increase in the usage on last year. Have recruited 58 people to the Victorian Bushfire Case Management Service (VBCMS). We have used a model that means we have used both local leaders, local staff with excellent qualifications, including some from other roles in Berry Street, as well as people with a broad range of qualifications from outside of the area. Due to the nature of the VBCMS work, we have put in place additional supports around these staff including monthly phone “check ups” with a counsellor who can then provide debriefing as required, regular team debriefs provided by an external counsellor and our monthly Tuesday Focus meetings where information can be shared. All staff also have access to a skilled Take Two practitioner who can provide consults as required. Although the program was always time limited we undertook to train all of the supervisors in Berry Street‟s model of supervision and provide them with some mentoring and guidance as they established themselves in their new positions. We have implemented a new approach to Salary Packaging that has reduced Berry Street‟s administrative burden to deliver packaging and increased its flexibility for staff and have increased staff using packaging from 46% to 53%. 18