Cultivating Performance Conversations - Building Accountability

Capability level: Evolving, Established, Expert

Event description:

In social work and community-based workplaces, performance conversations aren’t just about meeting targets - they’re usually (or should be) more values based and about protecting wellbeing, maintaining trust, and ensuring safe, respectful environments for all. Yet these discussions can quickly become stressful for both managers and staff, especially when they involve conduct concerns, relational strain, or complex ethical dynamics.

A well-structured, relational, and process-driven approach to performance conversations can help avert a range of psychosocial risks, including the escalation of unresolved conflict into workplace bullying claims, ethical strain and burnout caused by unmanaged interpersonal tension, declines in team cohesion and trust due to unclear or inconsistent communication, stress-related absenteeism, as well as grievances or formal complaints arising from perceived unfairness or lack of procedural fairness.

This workshop offers a practical, values-driven approach for leaders and managers to navigate performance and conduct matters with both accountability and care. Drawing on trauma-informed leadership principles, relational communication strategies, and the latest WHS and industrial relations requirements, participants will learn how to address concerns early, prevent escalation, and turn challenging moments into opportunities for stronger team culture.

Through interactive discussion, practical tools, and breakout room role-plays, participants will build skills to:

• Recognise early warning signs and intervene constructively.
• Structure and guide conversations that uphold dignity and clarity.
• Create team observation and response agreements that prevent recurring issues.
• Balance compliance obligations with the social work commitment to respect and care.

Example scenarios include:

• Addressing a team member’s pattern of late report submissions that is causing stress for colleagues.
• Responding to tensions between staff after a disagreement escalates during a high-pressure client case.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to lead performance conversations with greater confidence, consistency, and connection, while reducing psychosocial risks and supporting a safe, high-functioning workplace.

Who should attend?

This workshop is designed for social workers and community sector leaders, managers, and practitioners with responsibility for teams, performance outcomes, or workplace wellbeing. It is suitable for professionals with some experience who are seeking practical, ethically aligned tools to meet their compliance obligations while building safer and healthier workplaces through trauma-informed leadership and relational care.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify common performance and conduct concerns that, if left unaddressed, can escalate into psychosocial hazards.
• Apply trauma-informed leadership and relational care strategies to performance conversations.
• Prepare and conduct conversations that are both ethically aligned and compliant with WHS and industrial relations obligations.
• Use team observation and response agreements to create clear, shared expectations and reduce recurrence of issues.
• Implement conversation follow-up and documentation processes that strengthen accountability and trust.

Event structure:

Introduction (15 minutes)

Learning Session 1: Foundations of Relational Performance Conversations (60 minutes)

Activity 1: Early Intervention Practice

Learning Session 2: Accountability with Care (60 minutes)

Activity 2: Accountability Practice

Learning Session 3: Embedding Supportive Culture (20 minutes)

Q&A and Conclusion (15 minutes)

This Workshop is not recorded, however, you will have access to materials and resources on AASW Online Learning for 4 weeks after the completion of the workshop.

AASW Credentials: Mental Health (General)