A Much-Needed Support Programme for Advisers

Alkhemy has provided capacity for over 25 Advice Centres over the last few years, our adviser programme is our most utilised and most well known. During this time we have been listening and learning, and one thing we know for sure is that our advisers need more support. Many advisers are working within services that are oversubscribed and struggle to meet demand; one of the very real risks is the intersection of burnout and compassion fatigue.

In this context, "burnout" refers to physical and emotional exhaustion due to prolonged stress and overwork, often manifesting as a loss of enthusiasm and efficiency in the workplace. "Compassion fatigue," on the other hand, is a form of secondary traumatic stress experienced by advisers who are emotionally affected by the distress of those they help, leading to diminished empathy and reduced personal accomplishment.

When burnout and compassion fatigue intersect in our frontline advisers, it poses a significant risk not only to their personal health but also to the effectiveness of the services they provide. Such conditions can lead to decreased job satisfaction, reduced productivity, and a higher turnover rate, which in turn compromises the quality of support offered to students in need. It's crucial that we address these challenges head-on to safeguard the wellbeing of our advisers and maintain the integrity and resilience of our advice services.

So whilst we’ll still be providing capacity to ease workloads, we’ll also be launching our new Adviser Support Programme (ASP) designed specifically to enhance the support that is currently on offer for advisers. 

Empowering Through Expertise and Experience

The ASP is built on a foundation of proven strategies and lessons learned from our extensive work with advice services. This programme brings together a comprehensive suite of support aimed at addressing both the professional and personal needs of advisers. From one-to-one coaching and mentoring to dynamic workshops and seminars, every aspect of the ASP is crafted to complement the advising experience.

Structured for Success

Key features of the Adviser Support Programme include:

• Regular Supervision and Support Sessions: These sessions will provide a structured space for advisers to discuss complex cases and professional challenges, guided by seasoned advisers
• Peer Support and Action Learning Sets: By fostering a community of practice, these groups help advisers share knowledge and solutions, enhancing the collective efficacy of SU teams.
• Blended Mentoring and Coaching: This personalised support extends throughout the academic year, ensuring advisers receive guidance that is both reflective and action-oriented.
• Diverse Learning and Development Events: Our curated events programme will tackle topics such as stress management, effective communication, and emotional intelligence, preparing advisers to manage their responsibilities and student interactions adeptly.
• Access to an Online Resource Hub: A treasure trove of case studies, best practices, and research articles available at advisers' fingertips, promoting ongoing professional development.
• Clinical Referral for Advisers: Advisers facing distress or neurodivergent challenges will have immediate access to a comprehensive wellbeing consultation and review from “Dr Rachel Reset Coach”, a private GP and Burnout Coach.
• And lots more…

Why More Support Means Better Outcomes

The enhanced support offered by the ASP isn't just about helping advisers cope with their day-to-day tasks; it’s about helping the way they work to create/maintain an effective, responsive, and empathetic advising service. With better support, advisers can be more proactive in identifying student needs, more innovative in developing new engagement strategies, and more effective in fostering an environment of success for all students.

Fair Pricing and Quality Support

I can hear people saying, “this is all well and good but how much is this going to cost?” Fair question, I’m often given feedback that programmes of this sort can exclude organisations with smaller staff teams and therefore limited access to the budget needed to take part. For this programme we are proud to be pioneering a sliding scale that should accommodate advice services of all sizes. Take a look at the information sheet below

Join Us on This Journey

As we roll out the ASP, I’d love to invite all advice services to join us in this initiative. We believe that by investing in our advisers, we are investing in the future of our students and the overall health of our education system. To learn more about how the ASP can benefit you, or to discuss customisation options for your team, don’t hesitate to contact us. Together, we can ensure that every adviser has the tools and confidence to make a meaningful impact.

Support for advisers is here, and it's designed to make a lasting difference. The programme will formally commence in July 2024 - although certain aspects of the programme will be available to access from June 2024.

Take a look at our information sheet below and contact us on hey@alkhemy.org.uk to register your interest.