Welcome to your May Compass Points

It’s been another busy month and once again there’s so much to take note of as we continue our Compass journey towards becoming the Provider of Choice.

The launch of our Freedom to Speak Up Guardians is so important in building on and further safeguarding our open One Compass culture.

‘Speak Up’ will be another way for Compass colleagues to raise any concerns they have about practices within the organisation in a safe and supported manner.

And happy first birthday to Compass Flex! Our roving Compass-wide team of specialists have really nailed their remit of supporting our local services in a variety of different ways. Making real change happen by lending a hand to reduce working times, strengthen services’ comms and marketing and supporting the implementation of new services. They enjoyed a well-deserved birthday cake.

On the subject of cakes… I’m hoping services will rise to the challenge of the first ever Compass Pride Bake Off! I very much look forward to judging the best looking one. Shame I can’t taste them!

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Helping to shape the future of MHSTs

I was delighted to attend on behalf of Compass, a Ministerial Roundtable on the roll out of MHSTs to date, at the Department for Education with the Minister for Early Education Stephen Morgan.

Compass were one of the organisations representing from the charitable sector involved in the delivery of MHSTs across England. Others included CYPs Mental Health Coalition, School Wellbeing Partnership, Young Minds, Anna Freud,  Nurture UK, and Barnardo’s.

It was a great opportunity to share our experience of what works and particularly how charities such as Compass deliver these services flexibly and innovatively whilst maintaining model fidelity. We talked about the delivery challenges we are facing and where there are real opportunities for improvement in advancing the model further and how we get to full national roll out which requires additional investment. I, along with other organisational leaders, will continue to work together and to meet with DfE to progress the evolution of the MHST model and share learning and best practice.

Mr Morgan wrote on X: “It was lovely to celebrate their successes and share what works as well as some of the challenges as we roll out MHSTs across the country. Together, with the support of these organisations, this government will continue to deliver an education system that allows our young people to achieve and thrive.”

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This month’s contents

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Survey results to be shared next month

By Kim Jones, People Director

A huge thankyou to everyone who completed Compass’ Your Voice Survey over the 4 weeks the survey was open. The final participation rate for the survey was 78% which is a great result; almost 4 out of every 5 employees who work for Compass added their voice!

The results are being collated currently and will be shared with all colleagues from early July 2025. Within the results we will be reviewing how colleagues responded across Compass to each of the survey areas as well as comparing those responses to the last time the survey ran in October 2023. We will also be sharing local results with local teams.

This approach will give us the opportunity to celebrate areas where we have made positive strides as well as focus on areas where more work is to be done creating actions based on active listening to evolve and improve.

Again, a big thankyou to all who participated in the survey – your responses will shape the future of Compass and support our organisational goal as we work towards becoming the Employer of Choice in our sector!

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Continuous Professional Development

by Sarah Watson, Learning & Development Manager

We are really pleased to confirm that the Learning & Development Steering Group have been able to approve several requests for funding to attend events, workshops and sign up for leadership qualifications. This is hugely important to support you in gaining knowledge and skills which you can use at work and Compass are committed to supporting colleagues develop. 

Please use the CPD request form to help steer your discussion with your line manager to identify what professional development is required, what outcome you are looking for and the best way to achieve this. Your manager will also input to the form with their comments and authorisation. This information is then reviewed at the steering group to make the decision, so it is really important that care is taken in completing the form to enable a decision to be made speedily.

Please use the most up to date version of the CPD form to make your requests which can be accessed here (please note that there are likely to be delays to your request being reviewed if it is not submitted using the correct form) :

If you have not yet considered your personal development, why not schedule some time to do this?

Or on the learning portal under the Professional Development tile.

Meetings of the Learning & Development Group take place every month – either the third or fourth Friday, and it would be helpful if any requests can get to us the week before. Our next meeting is 27 June. If you have any questions, please do contact me, Sarah Watson. I will be happy to help.

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Compass Flex is now a year old!

The Compass Flex team recently celebrated their first birthday!

The Flex team met up in May, at York Head Office and celebrated the anniversary with a delicious cake. The morning was spent enhancing the team’s knowledge and skills in relation to safeguarding and Compass Flex’s newly launched digital interventions offer. After a team lunch they came together and reviewed the service’s new performance dashboard, which was led by Siobhan Kearney and developed in collaboration with the whole team.

Time was also spent reflecting on the team’s accomplishments over the last 12 months, highlights include:

• Starting as a team of four and growing to a team of seven, with a diverse range of expertise from a range of different disciplines.
• Supporting Compass Shine and Compass Changing Lives to reduce waiting times, by delivering emotional health and wellbeing interventions to 300+ children, young people and families.
• Launching Compass’ Operational Communications and Marketing Group to ensure a consistent and co-ordinated approach across services.  
• Strengthening services’ social media channels and publishing routine service promotion and health messaging.
• Supporting Compass GO… and Compass Shine in the delivery of digital interventions, SilverCloud and OSI, including developing systems and processes.
• Launching two new evaluation projects: the evaluation of Lumi Nova and SilverCloud, with Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and the evaluation of Compass’ MHST Model, with Exeter University.
• Supporting the implementation of three new services: Derby/Derbyshire EITSS, Birmingham Wave 12 and the Tower Hamlets School Health Service.

The Compass Flex team also discussed future ambitions, including using data to drive forward efficiencies and service user experience, developing a Compass-wide digital interventions offer and developing Flex’s offer in relation to equality lead areas. All of which will form part of the Service Development and Improvement Plan.

Saffron Mason, Senior Operations Manager, said: “What a fantastic year for Compass Flex, the team has achieved great things, not just because of their unique talents, but also because of their collective spirit, hard-work, commitment and genuine helpfulness. Thank you.

“I look forward to seeing what the next year holds and how we can further develop our offer of support to all of Compass’s services and the communities we serve… watch this space.”

From left to right: Bethani Key, Maddy Wakelin, Saffron Mason, Biancha Bear, Jack Oxley, Kelly Jones and Siobhan Kearney.

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Pride Bake Off takes off across Compass this month

By Harry Dixon, EMHP, Compass GO…

Following last year’s competition, it was wonderful to reflect on not only the teams coming together to take part and celebrating Pride month but also spending time together creatively as a team.

We wanted to continue this feeling of togetherness for this year’s competition. I look forward to seeing the entries, and being able to share across our respective communities, how we celebrate Pride Month.

To celebrate Pride Month this year, each team within Compass is invited to showcase their baking skills by creating colourful, Pride-themed bakes.

Teams are encouraged to come together and share (and taste) their submission, sending pictures to Sue King by Friday 20th of June. Rachel Bundock, our CEO, will then select the winning cake from the pictures submitted. The winners will be announced, along with the prize, in Compass Points.

View and print out the flyer

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Bloom Trainee Supervising Practitioners speak at national event

Compass Bloom colleagues were invited to present at the first National MHST Senior Role Networking event to showcase the Trainee Supervising Practitioner (TSP) role.

Anne Haines, the Service Manager at Compass Bloom, said: ‘‘We are proud that national commissioners have acknowledged this as an example of good and innovative practice, asking us to share this at the first National MHST Senior Role Peer Network.’’

The introduction of the TSP role has enabled ‘‘staff to develop their skills within supervisory practice, alongside their qualified colleagues’’ said Jude, Clinical Operations Manager at Compass Bloom. Staff have been supported through attendance at Supervisory Skills courses. Jude highlighted that ‘‘The feedback regarding this role has been positive and has led to staff reporting they feel more prepared for the Supervising Practitioner role and continue the delivery of high quality supervision within Compass Bloom.’’

During the event, held on January 23rd 2025, Saffron Mason, Compass Flex, presented the ‘Grow Your Own’ model, that Compass follows, emphasising the practical applications of the TSP role and sharing testimonials from colleagues.

Service Manager Anne added: “At Bloom, we take immense pride in our “Grow Your Own” approach to career development, ensuring that both new and existing colleagues are supported as they take the next step in their professional journey. A key part of this initiative is the Trainee Supervising Practitioner role, which provides structured and supportive, career progression opportunities within our team.’’

Anne concluded: ‘‘Their (National Commissioners) recognition reinforces our commitment to investing in our workforce and is a testament to the dedication of our team and our belief in empowering individuals to reach their full potential.”

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Promoting the need to talk in times of grief

by Kim Pearson, Clinical Operations Manager, Compass Be and Compass Rise

Compass Be, Barnsley are currently working on a very exciting summer event to promote the importance of conversation and quality time with those close to us, especially in times of grief.

When someone important dies in a child’s or young person’s life the impact can be really tough, as everyone around them is likely to be struggling too. In grief, alongside the really normal feelings of disbelief, sadness, possibly relief and anger, it is especially important to engage in restorative activities that keep life normal in small ways and provide relief from the intensity and disruption of feelings a death brings; for children and young people that’s why play is so important, in all its forms.

Wider Barnsley services are being invited along to join in the fun. The aim of this invent is for EVERYONE (all staff included) to get involved in fun, creative and team building activities. WATCH THIS SPACE…….

 

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Parent drop in event in Birmingham

by Jorine Beck Service Manager Compass Wave 12 – Birmingham North and West

Beth Walker and Debra Mills from Birmingham MHST hosted a parent drop in event at City Road Primary at the start of May.

Beth said: “We were based outside school in the morning, giving some information about (our service) to parents as they were dropping their children off to school.”

These events are part of our Whole School Approach to increase visibility in our new schools in Birmingham North and West, so parents/carers and CYP know who we are and what we offer. 

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Services mark Mental Health Awareness Week

Compass’s services took to social media to share and raise awareness of this week. This year’s theme was Community, keep reading to see what Compass services got up to…

Compass Be

The Compass Be team have been in schools, out in the community and working hard in the office today ‘Wearing it Green’ for #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek 

Compass Shine

                                            

Compass Elevation

Compass Bloom

Compass Phoenix

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week ❤️

The Five Ways to Wellbeing, developed by the NEF, are a set of evidence-based actions which promote people’s wellbeing.

Which action will you be promoting today?

Compass Rise

In light of Mental Health Awareness Week shared a post from the Mental Health Foundation, showing nine ways to get involved in your community.

Being part of a community has powerful benefits for our mental health and overall wellbeing.

Compass Birmingham

Our team took on the Ice Bucket Challenge during Mental Health Awareness Week to raise awareness for mental health and the vital work Compass does with young people. 🩵

Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we raised funds that will go directly towards supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing✨
A big shoutout to our brave participants and everyone who donated your support means the world!🫶🏼

We nominate our other services to complete the Ice Bucket Challenge!: @compassclmhst @compassc4h

Watch the full video here – https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJrYacSMmHX/?igsh=eWcwdHZsNDh5bmdw

Please show your support to Compass services, by following services on social media, if you feel comfortable in doing so.

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Colleagues take the opportunity to…

Making their mark

I want to say a big THANK YOU to the Birmingham Wave 12 team and specialist team for making all our recently joined staff feel so welcome and supported. We have welcomed Shanina, Monika, Klaudia, Jordan and Laura to our teams, and they are already making their mark! – Jorine Beck, Service Manager Compass Wave 12 – Birmingham North and West

Huge thank you to Tracy Collins and her central team Liv and Leesa in Barnsley. Tracy are her team are always the first to volunteer to support colleagues and pick up extra assessments when needed, even though they are busy themselves.

It is very much appreciated and does not go unnoticed! Thank you all. – Louise Doughty, MHST Team Lead Compass Be

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With Jan Smith, Operations Director

Educational Neglect

This month’s safeguarding feature summarises key themes in the understanding of educational neglect a type of safeguarding concern which is increasingly evident in our work with Children, Young People and their families and carers across Compass.

Working with school aged children places Compass practitioners in a good position to identify emerging issues regarding education neglect and to act to safeguard them where there are concerns.

The Department for Education (DfE) has stated that ‘persistent failure to send children to school is a clear sign of neglect’ and there is a growing acknowledgement that failure to ensure regular school attendance which prevents the child reaching their full potential academically is a form of neglect.

Working Together to Safeguard Children provides this neglect description, ‘the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development’. and since Dec 2023 this definition now explicitly includes a parent or carer failing to provide suitable education.

Educational neglect, persistent and severe absence are recurring themes in Safeguarding Practice Reviews. In contrast, regular school attendance is a protective factor for the most vulnerable children and young people, providing opportunities for support whilst giving them the best possible start in life.

It is suggested that educational neglect of a child (less than 75% attendance over 3 terms) which significantly impacts their welfare and/or educational outcomes is likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health; well-being, development and/or life chances. This may also indicate wider concerns regarding poor routines and boundaries or a lack of parental engagement.

Practitioners and safeguarding professionals can consider the significance of educational neglect if they become aware of persistent and/or severe absence from school by:

1. Demonstrate professional curiosity in relation to children not in school including those who are Electively home educated / not on roll.
2. Question as to why children are not in/attending school.
3. Consider how you and others might resolve the absence from school e.g. screen for emotionally based school avoidance.
4. Seek advice from the child’s school if you are concerned about a child’s attendance.

For more information on the whole school approach, partnership working and school action on attendance please see:

Working together to improve school attendance (applies from 19 August 2024)

If you have concerns about a child, young person or vulnerable adult please discuss them with your local Designated Safeguarding Lead or contact Compass Designated Safeguarding Officer jan.smith@compass-uk.org.

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With Sue Cody, Quality Assurance Lead

Introducing our new Freedom To Speak Up Guardians

Compass is launching new Freedom to Speak Up Guardians (FTSUGs) who will support colleagues to speak up about work-related concerns.

The FTSUGs are here to address concerns that have not been resolved via line management routes or when staff feel that they are unable to raise concerns through this route.

Part of their role, which begins early in June, will be to reassure staff that they will not be disadvantaged by speaking up about issues including:

• Poor quality standards of care
• Unsafe health and safety practices
• Damaging personal conflicts at senior or managerial level
• Bullying or harassment in the workplace
• Other types of malpractice such as fraud, bribery, theft.
• Failure to comply with a legal, professional or regulatory requirement

The new national roles are seen as essential to safeguarding the open culture in Compass’ services and departments, this is another way of ensuring staff and beneficiaries are treated fairly in respect of our values, vision and mission.

The two colleagues who will be taking on this role, are myself Sue Cody, Quality Assurance Lead, this will be an additional part to my role. Maggie Clarke, retired Assistant Director Operations, will also support this role, Maggie is a member of our Clinical Governance Group and is subject matter expert in school nursing.

The Freedom to Speak Up Guardian role will reach across the whole organisation. Myself and Maggie will ensure that people who speak up first and foremost are heard, are thanked and that the issues they raise are responded to through the appropriate routes.

The FTSUGs will also make sure that the person speaking up receives feedback on the actions taken.

Maggie said: “This is a very important role which ultimately provides another layer of  protection for our colleagues and beneficiaries.

“Colleagues who see something wrong and want to speak up must know they are protected in doing so and that their concerns are met and that they’re kept in the loop.”

We will be identifying and addressing any barriers to speaking up and we aim to promote a positive speak up, listen up and be heard culture, ensuring that as a result of issues being raised, there is an opportunity for learning and improving across the organisation.

Please see the FTSUG policy and procedure

P:\Corporate\Freedom to Speak Up Guardian Policy & Procedure – June 2025.pdf

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Speak Up mandatory training requirement

Sue and Maggie have completed the National Guardianship Office Mandatory Training for all Freedom to Speak Up Guardians.

All colleagues are required to complete the mandatory online training on Speaking Up relevant to their role and responsibilities by the end of August 2025 – see table below. This training is key to help colleagues understand the vital role that we all play and the support available to encourage a healthy speaking up culture in Compass for the benefit of our beneficiaries and colleagues:

Subject	Who	Type
Speak Up-Core Training	All Staff	Online – NHS elfh Hub
Listen Up	All Line Managers	Online – NHS elfh Hub
Follow Up	All Senior Leaders including Non – Executive Directors	Online – NHS elfh Hub

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Experience User Questionnaire Task & Finish Group Update

The Experience User Questionnaire (ESQ) Task & Finish Group has successfully finalised our organisational approach and process to ESQ CYPF feedback, following the successful soft launch in services Compass Bloom and Safe East. This group was established to address specific challenges and streamline the ESQ on the back of participation and discharge audits in 2024.  

Initially we will be rolling out as part of Phase one to the services where senior administrators were involved in the soft launch Safe East, Bloom and Elevate from the 2^nd June 2025.

Myself and Colin Quigley will be in touch with service managers and service senior administrators the week of the 16^th July with information for the Phase 2 roll out over a 4-6 week period, when best suits the individual service.

The finalised process includes several key improvements:

• ESQ component for each directorate to be added to service SOG to embed a consistent approach
• QR code for individual services set up and service reporting
• Easy read/Dyslexia friendly versions of the ESQ available
• Implementation of ESQ tick box on IAPTUS (awaiting date for this to be added to system)
• Review and analysis of ESQ feedback in service Clinical team meetings and Clinical Working Groups
• Development of ESQ performance dashboard

These changes are expected to significantly improve the overall user experience and provide valuable insight and data to improve our services and organisation. We will continue to monitor the process and make adjustments and improvements based on feedback.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all members of the ESQ Task & Finish Group for their hard work and dedication, it has been a pleasure working with you all – Judith Ashworth, Rachel Askew, Julie Crossland, Isabel Main, Vic Jones and to Sade Grant and Carla Hickman for supporting the soft launch.

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Warning on use of Artificial intelligence tools

With Johanne Parker, IG Lead

Across Compass, we take data protection very seriously.

Our approach to data protection is set out in our data protection policy and with more and more cyber-attacks happening we are – right now – on with drafting an Information and Cyber Security Policy.

Also right now, we are seeing much greater use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled recording and listening systems being used for work purposes.

Our information and cyber security arrangements with BCN (our ICT service provider) cover use of Microsoft CoPilot. And, with the consent of participants, the recording options in Microsoft Teams may be used within the Compass Portal.

But, neither we nor BCN can exercise any control over AI based information tools that are not inside the Compass Portal.

So, to protect sensitive personal information about colleagues and service users and to maintain control over the distribution of Compass information, staff must not introduce or use AI-based recording tools that process personal data (about employees or service users) without prior approval from our SIRO (Senior Information Risk Owner).

Such tools include, but are not limited to:

• Automated transcription or recording systems used during meetings or interviews; Compass staff hosting meetings with external partners and/or members of the public in which personal, confidential or sensitive information will be discussed should decline requests for automated transcription.
• AI systems for profiling, decision-making, or service automation
• AI Chatbots or any other tools that process personal data as part of interaction or support services

All such systems must be subject to appropriate due diligence and must not be implemented until a full Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) has been completed and reviewed by the DPO (Data Protection Officer) and signed off by our SIRO.

This ensures that any risks to privacy and individual rights are identified early and addressed in line with UK GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and Compass’s duty to embed data protection by design.

Compass recognises the potential benefits of emerging technologies but is committed to using them responsibly, transparently, and in a way that respects individuals’ rights and expectations.

If you have any questions about the above, please email: information.governance@compass-uk.org

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Business Development Strategy agreed

At our May meeting, SLT approved Compass’ Business Development strategy for 2025/26 which included contract tenders, organic growth, new product development and Compass Community social value work. The strategy remains centred on the three core strands of our business: mental health and emotional wellbeing; public health nursing (school-aged); and risky behaviours. However, there was a commitment to explore market appetite and opportunities to support children and young people who are NEET, awaiting autism diagnosis/post diagnosis support and wider partnership with universal youth provision. Compass Community will remain focused on embedding its social value offer working in partnership with Compass local services and businesses including the provision of health and wellbeing training.

EDI focus

SLT also reflected on the progress made on embedding a positive and empowering EDI culture across the organisation; this included looking back on the work completed over the last 12 months centred both on service user and workforce developments. The review was conducted by the CEO and the Chairs of the Thematic Working Groups. It was a great opportunity to take stock of all that practically had been achieved – reflecting on what was working well and what the next steps will be. In addition, the working group chairs agreed EDI priorities for 2025/26:

• Completing and launch of the Compass EDI Framework
• Embedding the EDI Thematic Working Groups to ensure consistent representation and engagement from all Compass services
• Producing service user and workforce EDI demographical data consistently across all services enabling us to do essential analysis on representation

Finally, we approved the launch plan for the new Freedom to Speak Up Guardian role, which will further enhance opportunities for Compass colleagues to speak up if there are areas of practice they are worried about.

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Know our Senior Leadership

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Training update

BLS Training:

Compass Bloom – Tuesday 10^th June – 10am-11.30am, 1.30pm-3pm (f2f)

Connect4Health & Coventry Shine – Wednesday 9^th July –  9.30am  – 11am, 11.30-1pm, 1.30pm-3pm – Coventry Village Hotel (f2f)

Derby Cohort 2 – Friday 18th July – Chesterfield – 9.30am-11am, 11.30am-1pm, 1.30pm-3pm (f2f)

REMOTE – MOP UP FOR SERVICES LISTED ABOVE (ONLY FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT ATTEND F2F TRAINING) – Thursday 7^th August 10am-11.30am, 1.30pm-3pm

Derby Cohort 3 – Wednesday 15th October – Chesterfield 9.30am-11am (f2f) 

Birmingham Cohort 2 – Wednesday 19^th November – Birmingham Office 9.30am-11am (f2f)

C4H/Coventry – Cohort 2 – Coventry Village Hotel – 9.30am-11am, 11.30am-1pm, 1.30pm- 3pm (f2f)

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See the latest Calendar for 2025 here.

U:\Staff Updates\Awareness Calendar and newsletter

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Contacting your People Team