Written by: Steve Gaunt, Employment Advisor – Families Matter Initiative, Department for Work and Pensions

As DWP Workers with various job roles, both in the Jobcentre and out in the community, we support similar client groups as VOICES; very often those who have the most complex needs.

Over the past few months we have attended a wide variety of courses provided by VOICES including Managing Conflict, Compulsive Hoarding and Working with Substance Misuse. These courses have all been delivered to an exceptionally high and professional standard. They have all been very informative, covering both theory and practical applications. The materials have been designed using a high proportion of local content reflecting the difficulties of clients we meet within Stoke on Trent so are particularly relevant; case studies and video recordings of people with lived experience. The courses have all provided ample opportunity for guided skills practice.

One thing that really works well in the VOICES learning programme is that each course has been attended by staff from a variety of other support organisations and, as such, provided not only an opportunity to practice skills from different perspectives but also an excellent networking opportunity. Each course has also led to a deeper understanding of other organisational working practices and a commitment to move forward with a more integrated approach to multi agency working to improve the holistic support available to all our clients.