Minutes of the VSS Health & Wellbeing Committee

Wednesday 14th February 2024

Remote via Zoom

 

 

HWB Committee Members Present:

Patricia Haren (PH)                      VSS Board Member & Committee Chair

Sandra Horley (SH)                      VSS Board Member

Catriona MacArthur (CMcA)           VSS Board Member

 

 

VSS Officers in Attendance

Nicola Nugent (NN)                      VSS Head of Health and Wellbeing

Ciara Boyle (CB)                          VSS Health and Wellbeing Case Manager

Karen Morgan (KM)                       VSS Health and Wellbeing Case Manager

Carol Carmichael (CC)                  VSS Interim Programmes Manager 

Melissa McCartan (MM)                VSS Business Support Officer

 

 

A      Welcome and Apologies

 

PH welcomed everyone to the meeting.  

 

Apologies received from:

Lisa Brown, Boardroom Apprentice

Carol Carmichael, VSS Interim Programmes Manager 

Melissa McCartan, VSS Business Support Officer

 

CB agreed to take minutes in MM’s absence.

 

 

B      Minutes of Previous Meetings

 

The minutes of the previous HWB Committee meeting held on 15 November 2023 were agreed.  

 

Issue noted that section D of previous minutes is highlighted as though MM (minutes) intended to add further content. NN to liaise with MM to follow-up.

 

 

C      Action Points

  

NN provided an update on the outstanding action points, noting all have been completed or are on track for completion, with the exception of one longstanding action points:

 

08.02.20 – AP5: Additional Clinical Expertise to be recruited / co-opted onto Committee.

Recruitment for additional Board members and clinical expertise remains ongoing.

 

D      Policies: New & Under Development

 

Staff Clinical Supervision Policy was reviewed and agreed by committee members and will now progress to the VSS Board for sign-off.

 

PH asked whether the provision for supervision extended to all front-line call handling staff. NN confirmed all front-line staff will receive supervision and any other staff within the organisation who feel they require this support can avail of it as and when needed.

 

 

E      Training & Development

 

E1    TI Quality Mark Action Plan

 

NN provided update on TI Quality Mark as KM was experiencing technical difficulties.

 

-       VSS are currently working through the TI implementation plan and associated tasks/actions.

-       Support meetings with One Small Thing are on-going.

-       VSS plan to submit application at the beginning of March 2024 with the assessment process taking approximately 8 weeks to complete.

 

NN added that VSS will be attending an event hosted by QUB this month for the launch of research into Trauma-Informed Practice in Northern Ireland. KM will attend this event on behalf of VSS in partnership with SBNI as they are funding VSS to complete the TI Quality Mark through One Small Thing as a pilot to compare quality mark processes between One Small Thing and Trauma Informed Oregon with a view to developing a benchmark and standards.

 

NN agreed to provide an update on the event and the outcome of the TI Quality Mark application at the next meeting.

 

 

E2    Victims Choice Award Report

 

         NN provided an update on:

 

-       VSS’s successful application for the renewal of the Victims Choice Award and highlighted that the report was shared with committee members for information purposes.

-       VSS are currently working through the reports recommendations and plan to implement these as soon as possible including establishing a formal feedback mechanism for victims and survivors.

 

       

F      Clinical Governance

         

        NN provided verbal update on clinical governance.

 

 

F1 – Client Risk / Safeguarding / Serious Adverse Incidents

 

NN advised an update on the Client Risk Update for the previous quarter was provided at the recent Board meeting.

 

NN noted that there have been no client risk/ Adult Safeguarding or Serious Adverse Incidents recorded from January to date.   

 

F2-  Compliance Checks

 

Compliance checks for across the 47 funded organisations are in process and are on track to be completed by the 31st March 2024.

 

 

 F3-  Biannual Policy Review

 

Biannual review of the Protect Life Policy has now been completed for all 47    organisations.

 

G     Quarter End Outcomes Report

 

MBMLW Pilot evaluation report was shared with committee members for information purposes.

 

PH and SH commented on how helpful the emerging themes and patterns section of the report was in providing wider context to VSS’s work in the area of MBMLW.

 

H      Service Development

        

         Historical Institutional Abuse

 

 

CB provided an update on HIA. It was noted TEO are continuing their social media and outdoor advertising campaign to raise awareness of the redress scheme, which is in its final year. It was noted that VSS, COSCIA and community partners have not received the same level of engagement with survivors as was the case with the leaflet drop in May 2023.

 

CB advised TEO have scheduled a meeting with stakeholders for next week to review the success of the campaign to date and consider next steps.

 

 

         Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, and Workhouses

 

NN provided an update on MBMLW. The Committee noted VSS has been involved with the Independent Panel, whose role is to take oral testimony from survivors impacted by MBMLW to feed into a public inquiry. CB noted VSS are engaging with the Independent Panel to gain an understanding of survivors needs and to support them in developing a client journey. 

 

Troubles Permanent Disablement Scheme (TPDPS)

 

NN provided an update on TPDPS. It was noted that a leaflet drop across all households in NI will take place on 19 March 2024 as part of an awareness campaign and to highlight the August 2024 cutoff date for the backdating element of the scheme.

 

The Committee noted that VSS anticipate a rise in calls and demand for welfare advice and support following this awareness campaign and that VSS staff and Community Partners have been briefed and resourced to respond to increasing numbers of survivors seeking support.

 

Regional Trauma Network

 

NN provided an update on RTN. It was noted challenges continue regarding waiting lists and timescales for accessing tier 4 and 5 specialist services within the H&SC Trusts and the need for RTN to be appropriately financially resourced to address this issue.

 

NN discussed RTN launch event which will take place on 29 February 2024 at Belfast Met- Titanic Quarter. The First and Deputy First Ministers will be in attendance alongside the Health Minister, Robin Swan. VSS CEO Andrew Walker and Board member, Oliver Wilkinson will speak at the event. The focus of the event will be to highlight the journey of RTN to date.

 

NN agreed to update the committee on the outcome of the event at the next meeting.

       

Clerical Abuse

 

No significant update or progress to report.

 

 

I       Staff Welfare and Support

 

KM provided an update on Staff Welfare and Support.

 

It was again noted the Clinical Supervision, which was introduced in October 2023 is available to all VSS staff on a monthly basis.

 

KM reflected on the launch of the Cozy Corner on the 1st Floor of VSS offices highlighting this area has been dedicated to support staff health and wellbeing by providing an area where staff can connect with colleagues informally and take a break. KM shared the theme for the launch was ‘Flipping your lid’ which tied in with pancake Tuesday.

 

CB shared that staff appeared to have enjoyed the event and have been encouraged to make use of the space.

 

KM advised that VSS’s commitment to staff wellbeing is also relevant to the on-going work for the TI Quality Mark as well as aligning with SBNI’s & RTN’s TIP values in supporting the workforce to reduce the impact of compassion fatigue and burnout.

 

 

J      Health and Wellbeing Committee Work Plan

       

PH noted this is her final H&WB committee meeting and addressed the Health and Wellbeing Work Plan.

 

PH noted that the work plan currently runs from Jan-Dec of each year and suggested it may be beneficial to run April-March in line with VSS’s financial year and the delivery plans. Committee members agreed this could be considered going forward.

 

Induction plan for future committee members was noted and it was agreed that the Board induction pack could be updated to include an overview of the work of the H&WB committee with more in-depth induction to be provided based on new members’ needs. 

 

 

K      AOB 

 

PH thanked committee members and VSS for their work over the years.

 

SH extended a special thank you to PH for her support and guidance since joining the committee.

 

PH noted that SH has expressed an interest in taking over as chair of the committee with SH confirming same.

 

Committee members thanked PH for her commitment and dedication to her role as chair and wished her the very best with her future endeavours.

 

 

Date of Next Meeting

 

The next VSS Health and Wellbeing Committee meeting is scheduled to take place on 15 May 2024.