We provide Training for Staff & existing Volunteers and proposed New Volunteers.
Training is based around the Psychotherapeutic Interventions (A programme Integrating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Client- Centred Counselling devised and formulated by: Findlay Collins RMN, A, MPhil- University of Paisley and Dave Deady RGN, RMN, DN, DTMN, BA(Hons) Dip.Couns. University of Paisley) and our own in-house course P. A. L. S. ( PETAL’s Accelerated Learning by Sharing).

We know of no other course available that integrates Cognitive Behavioural and Person Centred Therapies at a practical level of delivery.

Though coming from contrasting perspectives both approaches value the importance of the therapeutic relationship as a means of enabling, teaching and facilitating healthy coping mechanisms with a client experiencing psychological pain and/or disharmony.

The workshops for the course are held at PETAL's premises.

This course was been very well received and has proved to be beneficial to all those that participated and it is our intention to continue with this.

PETAL Management Infrastructure
Petal is managed by a voluntary Management Committee who are responsible for all aspects of:

• Service Delivery
• Service Development
• Employment/ Management of Staff

All decisions affecting the operation of petal are ratified by The Management Committee Directors.
Decisions are reached democratically, by consensus of opinion, following discussion and consultation with petal staff and the CEO.

In line with the criteria set by our individual funding sources Management Committee Directors manage the funds secured, and ensures that the set aims and objectives involving standards and outcomes are adhered to.
Regular reporting mechanisms are undertaken to keep Petal clients informed of developments, events and feedback is distributed regularly though newsletters and other media.

The Management Committee Directors are also responsible for ensuring that paid staff receives:

• Regular appraisals
• Support and Supervision if required (sourced externally)

Where appropriate or relevant to their post within petal opportunities for career development are made available to staff.

Stakeholders

We have clearly established partnerships with the Justice Department at the Scottish Government and Victims Support Scotland, Police Scotland, North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council Social Work Departments and with statutory and voluntary organisations to identify roles, responsibilities and ways in which our services impact on national policy and the longer term sustainability of Petal.

The organisations we work with

• The Police
• The Procurator’s Fiscal
• The Victims & Witness Unit
• Witness Service at High Courts
• Social Work Resource Departments: North and South Lanarkshire Councils.
• Community psychiatric nurses
• Local schools
• Victim Support Scotland,
• CRUSE
• Choose Life Scotland & Regional Office
• SAMH
• Parole Board Scotland,
• Chartered Institute of Housing
• SCVO and local CVS

We contribute to debate and take part in consultations, which include issues such as preventing secondary victimisation (damage resulting from insensitive handling of a criminal case). The purpose is to improve the provision of information, recognition, consideration and support during the criminal justice process to families in homicide cases.

Petal Support is part of The Victims Forum and the Lanarkshire Community Justice Authority with the remit to reduce re-offending.  The emphasis is to reduce re-offending through information sharing, co-operation and effective joint working.  The membership of the group represents statutory agencies who deal with offenders and also victims.  The members co-ordinate inter- agency work, identify gaps in support to families, recommend improvements and new service delivery. Petal represents the views of victim organisations; raise the awareness of the effect offenders actions have on victims and their families.