Workforce development and co production as key enablers of successful service delivery.

Kaleidoscope is a Welsh drug & alcohol agency providing medical & social/pyscho support to over 12,000 people. We believe the best services are provided by investing in urr workforce. Our People Strategy guides & measures performance & we use external assessors to review progress objectively. In the UK Investors In People provide this insight by speaking directly to staff to get their perspective on how the organisation is run. Kaleidoscope holds the highest Platinum award level, which only 2% of organisations achieve. 
In the world of social care being a model employer is critical & I will look at how this was achieved. 
IIP Assessment:
 
 
IIP told us:'There are so many things we could report on but have chosen a few to reflect on.• A fully engaged & motivated workforce with 85% of your 240 staff wanting to talk to us.• Leaders looked up to as role models by the people in the organisation.• Trust, respect & appreciation shared at all levels across the organisation.• People value the open, consistent style of communication & the fact that managers want to listen to what people say & involve them in decision-making is fully appreciated.• Your focus on the future with a 5-year Strategic Plan, thoroughly thought through, well written & openly shared.• Your desire & passion to be innovative creates opportunities for people to enjoy coming to work & continually improve.• A wellbeing focus appreciated by people - an important focus for your future success.• Your contract-winning performance is impressive & augers well for the future.• You have an enviable reputation in the sector & an ability to influence & shape the substance use agenda in Wales & beyond.• 100% of your people said in the survey they felt Kaleidoscope has a positive impact on society.'
Central to our approach is a structured 6 weekly supervison between staff & managers, with an annual appraisal on aspirations, goals & development targets, underpinned by training. We have staff representative groups and a global workforce development plan.  
The UK economic outlook is gloomy & social care remains poorly funded. We have to be nimble in the benefits we offer, including flexible working, extra health & wellbeing support, workplace & personal development training & a celebratory culture culminating in our annual staff award ceremony. These help attract & retain a motivated & engaged workfoce. 
Co-producing services is key & we ensure people with living experience of substance use are paid for their contribution. Wales is the first country in the world to have nationwide Peer2Peer naloxone delivery - a platform for engaging with Peers & service users in the design & delivery of services. Our 'Peer Academy' is developed with and for Peers and we increasingly employ those with living experience, enriching our service delivery. By adapting our supervision process, using flexible working & providing trauma informed training to managers we've adapted to this growing cohort of uniquely skilled staff.