Our ability to deliver quality services in the current environment is heavily dependent on the commitment and skills of staff working within services. The human resource development activities of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies are designed to support service delivery through ensuring that staff have the necessary skills, there are effective employment policies and practices in place within organisations and that organisations are supported in key employment related areas. The changes that are taking place in the operational environment are forcing organisations to review the way they have been providing services and to determine how service levels can be maintained in the context of reduced resources. Employees are vital to the success of organisations in addressing the current pressures.
The following section provides an overview of some of the key human resource related activities that the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies is currently (2010) involved in:
Human Resources Sub-Committee:
To support the Human Resources Sub-Committee in the implementation of its terms of reference.
Key Actions, 2010:
- To implement the agreed aims of the Human Resources Sub-Committee through arranging quarterly meetings during 2010.
- To provide the Sub-Committee with regular inputs regarding upcoming events, funding opportunities, human resource related developments.
- To provide opportunities for members to share information in relation to key human resource related initiatives / projects that they are engaged in at local level.
- To review the programme of work undertaken by the Human Resources Sub-Committee on a regular basis.
Industrial Relations Support:
The National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will continue during 2010 to provide support to its member organisations in relation to national deliberations regarding terms / conditions of employment for staff. The National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will also continue to monitor the position in relation to industrial relations matters of relevance to member organisations and to respond as required.
Key Actions, 2010:
Specifically this will include:
- Providing support to representatives who sit on national committees on behalf of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies member organisations.
- Supporting organisations in relation to key industrial relations issues / national agreements.
- Gathering information from member organisations in relation to key issues under consideration so a national picture / shared position can be developed.
HSE / Corporate Employee Relations Services:
To liaise with the HSE to ensure HR personnel are fully informed on human resource related matters.
Key Actions, 2010:
Throughout 2010 the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will continue to liaise with the HSE Human Resources Directorate to ensure that all National Federation members are updated on new developments as introduced by the HR Directorate.
- The National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will also work closely with Corporate Employee Relations Service, HSE, which is a representative body for health service employers, which aims to promote the development of improved human resource practices within the health service. It also represents and supports employers in the management of industrial relations.
- The National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will arrange bi-annual meetings with key personnel from Corporate Employee Relations Services with the aim of ensuring that human resource practitioners from across member organisations are updated regarding changes in employment legislation and policy related developments.
- To liaise with the Health Services National Partnership Forum (HSNPF) on various skill development initiatives.
Health & Safety / Employee Wellbeing:
To support health and safety / employee wellbeing issues within National Federation member organisations.
Key Actions, 2010:
This initiative will seek to support the Working Group which was established in 2009 to focus on the key areas of health, safety and employee wellbeing. Key areas to be included as part of the work plan include:
- Networking and developing links between health & safety personnel across Federation member organisations.
- Compiling a listing of existing health and safety related policies / documents / resource materials within agencies which maybe shared with others.
- Developing links with the Health & Safety Authority - the HSA’s Strategy Statement 2007-2009 outlines the vision of the Authority which is ‘A national culture of excellence in workplace safety, health and welfare, where all employees and organisations will commit to the active prevention of accidents, injuries and work-related ill health on a long-term, permanent and sustainable basis’. Specifically the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will work with the HSA on the implementation of its Five Year Plan for the Healthcare Sector 2010-2014.
- Evaluation / reviewing the work of the group on an on-going basis.
Employee Assistance Programme:
To explore the possibility of establishing a Employee Assistance Programme Group Scheme for National Federation member organisations.
Key Actions, 2010:
- To liaise with possible providers / relevant organisations in relation to the submission of tender proposals.
- To review tenders received with a view to selecting a preferred provider.
ROSE Project:
During 2010 the National Federation will participate as a partner in the ROSE (Reducing Occupational Stress in Employment) Project – this is a European Project funded under the Leonardo Programme. The primary objective of the project, whose lead partner is Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT), is to develop a combined person and work directed stress management programme in order to improve the retention of staff working in intellectual disability / mental health services.
Key Actions, 2010:
During 2010 the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will:
- Identify 6 organisations to take part in the piloting of the on-line stress intervention programme.
- Undertake a review of the pilot programme with a view to enhancing the final intervention tool which is developed.
- Contribute to the overall strategic management of the Project through attendance at partner meetings and participation in monthly conference calls.
- Contribute to the organisation of an end of Project conference where the main findings of the ROSE Project will be presented.
- Agree recommendations for the enhancement of local / workplace support services and national / European Commission initiatives on social inclusion.
Guide to Inclusive Recruitment:
To develop a ‘Guide to Inclusive Recruitment’ to assist organisations in adopting inclusive strategies in the recruitment of staff / volunteers.
Key Actions, 2010:
- During 2010 a working group will concentrate on the development of an inclusive recruitment guide which will be made available to National Federation member organisations. The guide will aim to outline a range of options for organisations as to how they can involve people who are availing of services more actively and how they can make their recruitment process for staff and volunteers more open.
- Provide training to National Federation member organisations in relation to inlcusive recruitment.
Garda Vetting - Staff & Volunteers
To ensure National Federation member organisations have appropriate procedures in place for Garda vetting of staff and volunteers.
Key Actions, 2010:
- To ensure that all National Federation of Voluntary Bodies members undertake garda vetting for staff and volunteers within their organisation and have the necessary policy and procedures in place.
- To liaise with personnel from the Garda Central Vetting Unit to ensure that National Federation members have access to a timely Garda vetting process.
- To address the issues of concern as identified by National Federation of Voluntary Bodies members in relation to Garda vetting.
Health & Social Care Professionals Council:
The Health & Social Care Professionals Council was established in 2007 with the aim of protecting consumers through promoting high standards of professional conduct, education and competence. The Council was established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 and will lead to the statutory registration of twelve health and social care professions none of whom were previously subject to statutory registration.
Key Actions, 2010:
Specifically during 2010 the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will:
- Support the National Federation representative on the Health & Social Care Professionals National Council.
Further Information
You will find links to relevant legislation here. For further information on the work of the Human Resources Sub-Committee, please contact our Human Resource Training & Development Co-Ordinator, Jillian Sexton, Tel: 091-792316.