Bereavement

RE: Bereavement

Sal the 1st — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 08:17:30 GMT

must admit I only got little over half way through that particular course when I was working with BX - sounds like it has been cut considerably (which wouldn't be a bad thing if its still same format) the one I did was over a year or more as I recall, but I had already done counselling over 3 years at college. I didn't enjoy the BX course at all. The best training I have undertaken in this area came through Cruse.

RE: Bereavement

carrie ball — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 23:54:11 GMT

Hi, as far as I am aware it was about £200 an if I did it the left i would have had to pay them back. Bearing in mind I have paid for all my courses myself. It is by the Blue Cross so I assume it would be good. Pretty sure it was only 7 weeks. It is for the purpose of being an advisor so not sure what that entails, but I hope it works for the clients sakes

RE: Bereavement

Sal the 1st — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 21:09:30 GMT

[quote user="carrie ball"]

Hello!

OK here goes. For many years I had wanted to setup a bereavement counselling service where I worked, it was a busy animal hospital and clients were just not getting the support they needed. I have the qualifications and I could find the time. I even came up with a memorial range, leaflets and a business plan. I was told to speak to my head nurse, my CD, the practice manager the Regional director, back to the CD etc etc etc. Refused or ignored. So years later I move to a smaller branch. Try again, no joy. So I am on mat leave and I decide to setup my own business doing bereavement counselling. Get pulled in off mat leave for an investigatory meeting to see whether disciplinary action is neceasary. No case to answer, I can work a second job as long as I stick to their terms. This is after an unsuccessful grievance I brought up a few months prior which was pretty much stamped on. So I see a ad from my employers that they are now offering bereavement training to staff!!!! Feeling just a bit peed off. seven week training course to be bereavement advisors. I have been qualified for 16years have done a diploma and a level 3 cert in the field. Was told under no circumstances could I do my business on their site. Then this. I even got an invite to do the training! So, I have handed in my notice, my business is slowly but surely starting to gather momentum and I am now doing a diploma in counselling skills, and about to do a foundation degree in counselling. this might all sound petty, but after being refused and ignored for so long, and now they are doing their own version. Just feels like a kick in the teeth.

[/quote]

interesting - I have worked in counselling (including bereavement) on a voluntary basis on and off for years for a number of charities and just wondered about the level of qualifications and training of the people delivering the course? This is a rapidly growing area - done properly it can really benefit those in need, done badly it can really screw people up and for a very long time. I do worry about the 'quality' of some of the training being currently offered by various places

I wish you well with your studies and future venture . Must admit if it had been me I would have done their seven week course (if it was free) just to find out what their course was all about.

RE: Bereavement

carrie ball — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:19:39 GMT

hi, sorry that didn't mean to come across as snippy, I should have stated I was VCA earlier . I am genuinely thankful for the reply, just didn't want to get into trouble I know how hard you guys work for the RVN title. Thanks again, nice to know there are supportive people out there

RE: Bereavement

sananbaz — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:09:56 GMT

Apologies, I made assumptions. The rest of my post still stands though.

Good luck with your new venture X

RE: Bereavement

carrie ball — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:03:32 GMT

hi, I am a VCA not an RVN, but thank you. i appreciate the kind words and support :)

RE: Bereavement

sananbaz — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 17:53:34 GMT

Sometimes you just have to accept that some employers are not very good at managing people or making good business decisions. As obvious as it is to you that you have a profit making idea that will also add a USP to your practice, they only see your idea as something that makes you unique and indispensable, which bad managers fear as it may lead to you wanting more pay, better hours or being less available for RVN duties. What they've done is lost a skilled and dedicated RVN; feel sorry for them, then forget them (but remember not to give them any discounts for your services in the future!).

On another note, I hope you dated your resignation for the end of your maximum maternity leave, so that you get all your maternity pay and accrue a year's worth of holiday pay

Good luck

RE: Bereavement

carrie ball — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 15:24:15 GMT

hi, firstly thank you. I am doing an online counselling skills course via Centre of Excellence online. I am also hoping to enrol on an Open University Foundation Degree in Counselling. The other courses I did were purely pet bereavement, such as a Diploma in Companion Animal Bereavement Counselling and a ABC Level 3 Certificate in Pet Bereavement Counselling via the Blackford Centre. These courses were all distance learning, the Open University course is for a human counselling qualification, so this is a new one for me in every sense. It isn't easy juggling the time, as I don't want to reduce the time I have with my kids, but you find a way. Good Luck to you, wishing you all the best.

RE: Bereavement

nikki.mits — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 14:28:15 GMT

Good for you! Your practice obviously said no because they saw it as an opportunity to nick you idea and profit for themselves, so well done on standing up for yourself even if it means handing your notice in.

May I please as you some advice regarding studying counselling? I would really like to retrain as a counselor and have been looking into courses etc. Are you currently doing the level 2 counselling skills course? If so, how are you finding it?Are you managing to fit it in with your busy life and are you finding it to be a good introduction to the counselling degree? I have an interview at a college on wednesday to discuss this course but would really appreciate some insider knowledge about the course and the work.

I agree that there are not enough bereavement counselors around and i think your idea is fab!

Good luck on your journey!

RE: Bereavement

carrie ball — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 14:13:44 GMT

Thank you, was feeling like I was being petty, but maybe not. Anyway as of next month it isn't my problem. I do hope it all works out though, because I feel we do need more bereavement advisors, I wanted to make sure that the last visit didn't have to be the last. Anyway, 2 vets have asked for my cards and a Guide Dogs for the Blind branch have asked for some. Plus I have my own facebook page and am on wordpress, Instagram, twitter, tumblr and The Good Vet and Pet Guide. Plus my local paper are doing a feature on me. phew! all this and looking after a 5 month old, a 7 year old a goldfish and a fiancé lol. Thank you

RE: Bereavement

Alison Clare Hickman — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 12:43:59 GMT

Best revenge? Make a success of your business.

Soon, they'll be the ones having to wear dentures (so to speak), after the full in the face kick in the choppers, because of your greater success, professionalism, expertise and prosperity. You? Smiling happily with a full set, not having in any way spent your valuable brain space and heart in response to their negativity.

Best wishes and fortune in all you achieve.

Ali h