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We sat down with Youth Support Worker, Manish to get an insight into the ins and outs of his role and why youth work is a rewarding career path.

In the world of community service organisations, the challenge of balancing operational costs with uncompromised service delivery is more pronounced than ever. Amidst the backdrop of a rising cost of living, organizations are on a quest to find sustainable ways to cut down expenses without sacrificing the quality of support provided to those in need. One strategic approach to achieving this balance involves the meticulous management of overtime, particularly when rostering community support workers. Alison Farley, National Manager of Client Service and Delivery, sheds light on how a disciplined approach to overtime can serve as a linchpin in operational efficiency and service excellence. Overtime: A Last Resort, Not a First Option At the heart of sustainable operations is the principle of treating overtime as a measure of last resort. This philosophy is not just about cost-saving; it's fundamentally about safeguarding the welfare of community support workers and, by extension, the quality of service they provide. Overtime, when overused, can lead to worker fatigue, which poses risks not only to the employees themselves but also to the organisation and those it serves. The Edmen Approach: Striking the Right Balance Edmen Community Staffing Solutions exemplifies how a strategic approach to overtime can yield significant benefits. By prioritising this as a last resort, Edmen not only facilitates financial savings for community service providers but also champions the well-being of workers. The approach is two-fold: Firstly, implementing a clear and stringent approval process for overtime ensures that it is used judiciously and only in times of absolute necessity. This fosters a culture of accountability and emphasises the critical nature of planning and resource allocation. Secondly, the power of data cannot be overstated. Edmen's commitment to transparency and control is exemplified through comprehensive reporting and the provision of real-time dashboards for their clients. Surprisingly, regular reporting on overtime is not a universal practice, which can obscure visibility and hamper effective management. By making overtime data accessible and digestible, Edmen empowers its clients with the insights needed to make informed decisions and adjustments. The Edmen Advantage: Expertise and Scale What sets Edmen apart is not just their approach to managing overtime but their deep-seated expertise in the community services sector. This, combined with their extensive pool of support workers and an ongoing recruitment strategy, places Edmen in a unique position to offer scalable solutions tailored to the specific needs of community service organisations. Their exceptional service delivery model ensures that client partners and workers alike receive the support and resources they need to thrive, even in the face of operational and financial challenges. A Blueprint for Sustainable Service Delivery As community service organisations navigate the complexities of operating in a cost-conscious environment, the management of overtime emerges as a critical lever for ensuring both financial sustainability and the well-being of support workers. Alison Farley's insights underscore the importance of a disciplined, data-driven approach to overtime, highlighting how strategic rostering can pave the way for more efficient and effective service delivery. Through a combination of expertise, accountability, and innovative use of technology, Edmen showcases how organisations can maintain high standards of support while also adhering to stringent operational budgets. In doing so, they offer a blueprint for community service organisations looking to achieve a delicate balance between cost efficiency and uncompromised care. In essence, the journey towards operational efficiency and exceptional service delivery is multifaceted. It demands a commitment to strategic planning, a culture of accountability, and an unwavering focus on the well-being of both workers and those they support. As community service organisations look to the future, embracing these principles will be paramount in their quest to deliver meaningful support in the most sustainable way possible.