After one week, most new starters already have a clear impression of a service. Not just from what they’ve been told, but from what they’ve experienced.

If you asked them about your service, what would they say?

What New Starters Might Notice

They might talk about:

• How welcome they felt when they arrived
• Whether people had time to support them
• If expectations were clear or confusing
• How the team worked together
• Whether they felt comfortable asking questions

These first impressions are important. They often shape how confident someone feels, how quickly they settle in and whether they see themselves staying long term.

The Challenge for Leaders

The challenge is that these experiences are not always visible to others. On paper, everything might look and feel a lot different to the day to day experience.

A Useful Way to Reflect

A useful approach is to step into their position and ask:

• Would I know what’s expected of me right now?
• Would I feel comfortable asking for help?
• Would I feel like part of the team yet?

Small Changes That Make a Difference

Small changes can improve that early experience:

• Making time for proper introductions, not just quick handovers
• Checking in at the end of shifts, not just at the start
• Giving clear, simple guidance rather than assuming understanding
• Making sure support is available, even during busy periods

Some services also bring in additional staff support during onboarding periods so their core team has more time to guide new starters properly. Working with agencies like Halo Staffing can help create that space, especially when services are already managing high demand. Find out more about the services we provide by calling us on 0800 368 9644, emailing us at [email protected] or by clicking the button below!

 

The first week does not need to be perfect but it should leave someone feeling supported, clear, and able to keep going, because how someone feels after week one often tells you whether they’ll still be there in month three.