Liliana Bustos, Clinical Practice Lead
Kids First provides specialist therapeutic counselling for children and young people who are victims of sexual abuse, and/or who engage in problematic or harmful sexualised behaviour.
‘We work with people who have been exposed to trauma of sexual abuse,’ explained Liliana. ‘This has an undeniable impact on the psychological and emotional wellbeing of the workers.’
The work can be challenging, complex and, at times, de-energising.
Cultivating an environment that acknowledges these demands and allows team members to feel connected and supported is crucial.
Based on the team's wellbeing survey, the team decided to create an interactive ‘Staff strengths map’.
The team wanted to promote feelings of recognition, connection, support and belonging within the team. They also wanted to highlight what they are good at and enjoy doing.
Using an interactive database, workers were invited to share:
- a photograph of themselves and biography
- a brief description of themselves
- their professional strengths, training, therapeutic and theoretical framework expertise, service sector experience, and internal processes connections
- personal strengths and interests.
The team could then quickly and easily find colleagues who had the strengths and experience they needed.
For example, a team member could find someone who specialised in a certain therapeutic approach and reach out to them.
The resource strengthened relationships and provided opportunities for collaborative practice. It was also added to the induction process for new team members to help them feel welcome and supported.
And it is not just the workers who have benefited. The ‘Staff strengths map’ has allowed the team to provide a better level of care for their clients.
‘It has been really helpful and positive for everyone,’ Liliana said.
How to create a Staff strengths map
Instructions for how to create a Staff strengths map:
- Identify people in the team and list of work emails.
- Create a spreadsheet or shareable document which can be viewed and edited as a live document for people who are part of the team.
- Everyone uploads their information about:
- their role
- a brief bio
- a brief description of themselves using the main 2 strengths and self-care strategies
- photo
- service sector experience
- theoretical frameworks (expertise and training)
- internal processes (clinical and operational)
- networks and committees
- interests (self-care and leisure).
- Explore and connect!
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