About The Children's Trust

On joining the organisation all members of staff have a comprehensive induction programme, which details key induction training and ongoing mandatory training that has been identified as relevant to their role. Discussions on learning development form part of appraisal procedures and managers are encouraged to offer ongoing guidance and support surround training opportunities. They are developing a template for managers to inform what will become career and development pathways for the various roles within the organisation. They have an annual training brochure which is circulated to all areas. The training and development team and HR Director work closely with middle and senior managers to ensure they are working towards meeting the development needs of members of staff. They have a learning strategy in place which is regularly reviewed by the HR Director and Training and Development Officer.

With over 500 staff and a child-friendly ethos, there are often memorable social events. Recently the staff of one of the residential children’s houses climbed to the roof of London’s O2 as a teambuilding and fundraising exercise. When the Chief Executive heard about the day he asked if he could come along too! The annual summer barbecue for staff and volunteers is always well attended and gives people from across the organisation a chance to mingle with colleagues from other parts of the charity who they might not see regularly. An excellent big band played at the event and staff were served their lunch by members of the senior management team. More recently, Halloween provided an opportunity for every department to host a spooky, multisensory experience which was enjoyed not only by the children and young people staying with them, but was also their staff.

They have for some years run a working group of staff as a forum to raise and discuss ideas and act as a sounding board for management decisions. Since the new Chief Executive started in April they have introduced monthly “exchange sessions”, which any member of staff or volunteer can attend to raise any questions or issues with him. These have been very well attended and have not only enhanced the sense of senior management visibility and engagement amongst staff, but also given the Chief Executive vital insight into the feelings of a wide range of our people. Their ability to engage with their people will be greatly improved in the new year when the new intranet comes into force. As a charity they have not previously had the resources to invest in a comprehensive intranet, but they were recently very fortunate to be donated the development of an intranet pro bono by Interact, a leading developer. They are very excited by the opportunities the new intranet will provide for engaging and communicating with their people.