Section 11 - Member Care providers

It is good practice for there to be an appropriate framework for the provision of member care and that member care providers are trained and supported appropriately. Much member care can be provided by mentors or pastoral care workers, not only by trained therapists and human resources (HR) personnel. Spiritual directors and confessors are also important member care providers. Informal care is to be encouraged

Good practice includes:

11.1 Appropriate framework for providers

• Ensuring member providers behave ethically
• Providing member care providers with accountability mechanisms within their organisation, church or professional structures
• Ensuring member care providers have access to regular supervision
• Providing opportunities for member care providers to network with mental health professionals and sources of pastoral care, so that they can make referrals for further help if necessary
• Seeking feedback on care provided and conducting an internal audit of procedures and guidelines
• Ensuring procedures are in place for dealing with any complaints
• Encouraging member care providers to have a healthy work/life balance

11.2 Training for providers

• Ensuring member care providers have appropriate training [i], for example in listening skills, pastoral care, child protection, and when to recommend professional treatment'
• Ensuring member care providers have access to regular ongoing training such as conferences [ii] and learning from others in the mission or humanitarian sector
• Ensuring professional member care providers maintain their registration/accreditation and Continuing Professional Development [iii]

[i] A two-week training course for any member care provider is offered by Operation Mobilisation. Email membercare@ict.om.org

[ii] Global Connections runs a member care forum and there is also a European Member Care Consultation which is held every two years. See www.globalconnections/membercare

[iii] See the Society for Human Resource Management www.shrm.org