We caught up with Sue via Teams this week to find out how she is finding her new role, what she'll be working on and her plans for the future.
Hi Sue, lovely to meet you. How long have you been working for the Vale? she'll be working on and what her plans are for the future.
Thank you. I started on Tuesday. It's a strange time to be starting a new role because the majority of people, including my team, are working remotely so I'm not able to walk around and introduce myself to other teams in the department and put faces to names. But I'm sure I'll get to know the team soon enough, we did manage to have a quick chat via Teams yesterday.
That must be a real challenge! What other challenges do you think the present situation will bring your way?
So I applied for the job with the Vale of Glamorgan Council because I'd got to a point in my career where I felt like I needed a new challenge and to work for a bigger organisation, having previously worked at Valleys to Coast Housing in Bridgend. But in terms of the challenges Covid presents, I'll be getting to grips with how we plan to provide health, safety and wellbeing services to staff across the Council and in our schools. Coming in to the autumn we have particular concerns around flu season and making sure staff health and wellbeing is at the forefront of how we respond to the pandemic. I'll also be a point of contact for schools, liaising with SRS and Public Health Wales in case of any outbreaks or clusters. And attending TTP meetings. We have a vacant post within the team at the moment so I've already started shortlisting for that. I'm also told that there are a few policies that need reviewing, so there's plenty to get on with!
Wow, it sounds like you have hit the ground running and will be very busy indeed. What are your plans for the future of the service? Are there any new things you would like to introduce?
In my previous role I created a blueprint of the services we could offer the organisation by completing a mapping exercise of the team. I would like to do something similar here so we are clear about the services we offer and who is responsible for what within the team. I'd also like to introduce a clear desk policy, which I know other teams have. I think given the current situation this will make it much easier for work spaces to be sanitised at the end of each day.
It sounds like you have lots of great ideas and plenty to be getting on with, so we'll leave you to get back to work. Thank you for your time, Sue and best of luck in your new role.
Keep an eye out for more information on staff health and wellbeing initiatives, which will be shared very soon.