By andrewwalsh
Workplaces are made up of people, and people’s experiences can change over time. As a supervisor or manager, you may notice changes in a worker’s behaviour, wellbeing, or performance and wonder what might be going on. These situations can be difficult to navigate, especially when health concerns, mental health, substance use, caregiving responsibilities, financial stress, … Continued
By andrewwalsh
Related resources Many DEI efforts focus on what we can see. This webinar recording expands the conversation to include how people think, process, and learn. Designed for community social services professionals, this presentation connects the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion to neurodiversity, a dimension of diversity that’s often invisible and under-discussed. Through practical strategies … Continued
By andrewwalsh
In many organizations, worker input is routinely collected, yet it does not consistently translate into visible or sustained change. This gap between input and action can undermine trust, weaken engagement, and limit the effectiveness of participation initiatives. This article examines how organizations can move beyond input collection toward structured approaches that enable meaningful influence. Community … Continued
By andrewwalsh
A support worker finishes a challenging shift helping several chronically unhoused individuals secure housing. Nothing went wrong on paper. Appointments were kept, applications submitted, and no incidents occurred. Yet, on the way home, they replay decisions in their mind, “Did I advocate enough? Could I have connected them with more resources?” There’s no one to … Continued
By andrewwalsh
Content advisory: This article includes discussion of traumatic events commonly encountered in community social services, including suicide. A youth outreach worker responds to a call about a youth in crisis. When they arrive, emergency services are already on scene. The situation is stabilized, but distressing details emerge: the youth was found after a suicide attempt. … Continued
By andrewwalsh
Psychosocial hazards can quietly affect staff well-being and service quality in community social services. In this webinar, we’ll unpack WorkSafeBC’s five psychosocial hazard categories: interpersonal environment, job design, workplace conditions, need for employer support, and exposure to traumatic events. Using real-world examples, viewers will build confidence in recognizing psychosocial hazards in their own workplaces—such as … Continued
By ellie
A case manager starts the day with multiple complex cases. By noon, two urgent situations arise, documentation piles up, and breaks are skipped. There is no clear guideline for what counts as a manageable caseload, and the day ends with unfinished tasks and lingering anxiety. No traumatic incident occurred, yet the structure of the job … Continued
By ellie
A new social navigator starts their first shift in a community clinic. They are given a list of people to support and access to their electronic medical records. There is no formal introduction to staff, no structured safety orientation, and no discussion of potential risks when doing outreach. The new worker introduces themself to staff … Continued
By ellie
Imagine this: A team meeting ends. One staff member leaves feeling dismissed after being interrupted repeatedly. Another feels frustrated but stays silent about a growing workload imbalance. No policies were broken. No voices were raised, yet tension lingers. In community social services, we are deeply committed to building trust with individuals who may have experienced … Continued
By ellie
Work in community social services involves far more than completing tasks. It requires building relationships, providing emotional and social support, responding to crises, and navigating complex systems. To sustain this work and provide quality service to communities, individuals at every level of the organization need an environment that supports and protects their wellbeing. Whether you … Continued
