Continuous improvement through collaborative development

1. Continuous improvement through collaborative development February 2010

2. Agenda

3. Welcome and introductions 10:30 – 10:40

4. Purpose of the day Aim: To further develop effective approaches to collaborative group working Objectives: For delegates to learn how to: • successfully embed a collaborative PRD ethos within their own organisation • reap the benefits of collaborative activity arising from the rigorous validation of self-assessment judgements • undertake collaborative development activities • use the broader PRD community to address specific issues.

5. SfE Programme update • Over 900 providers currently engaged in the SfE Programme • 176 groups currently across the FE sector • Development of an online PRD community and resources • Key issues for groups: • demonstrating impact • group sustainability

6. Part 1 - Making PRD work for you and your colleagues Successfully embedding PRD within your own organisation! 10:40 – 11:45

7. Objectives During this session delegates will: • identify the key characteristics of embedded PRD • address some of the key challenges/barriers to embedding PRD • formulate key actions to achieve embedded PRD.

8. Case study - North West Two group Task one (a) • Please spend a couple of minutes reading the case study of the NW2 group (copies on the table) • In what ways have the providers embedded PRD into their own organisations? • Please be prepared to feedback to the wider group

9. How well embedded is PRD in your organisation? Low Level Embedded Fully Embedded

10. Characteristics of embedded PRD Task one (b) • Individually list (on the template provided) the top 10 key characteristics of what embedded PRD looks like? • Rate your own organisation from 1 (low) to 10 (high) with reference to how well embedded PRD is. Be honest! • Please be prepared to feedback to the wider group

11. Key characteristics of embedded PRD

12. Challenges/barriers to embedding PRD Task two • What are the internal barriers to embedding PRD and how can they be overcome? • Please discuss on your table and be prepared to feedback the barriers and possible solutions

13. Key barriers to embedding PRD

14. Key actions to embed PRD in your organisations Task three • Based on the discussions during the session: • list the top four key actions you will look to take to embed PRD into your organisations when you return to the office • what are the outcomes you want to achieve from these? • Please be prepared to feedback to the wider group

15. Key actions to embedded PRD

16. Part 2a - Making your PRD group work for you A rigorous approach to validating your SAR can serve many purposes! 11:45 – 12:30

17. Objectives During this session delegates will: • consider what needs to be contained in a SAR and how you validate the SAR • be encouraged to re-evaluate their own SAR and revisit the document with a fresh pair of eyes.

18. SAR validation activity You will be given an extract from a SAR focusing on either safeguarding or equality of opportunity from either a: • work-based learning provider • offender learning provider • general further education provider • adult and community learning provider • Before you look at the individual SAR, in groups or pairs list what you expect or need to see in the SAR • Feedback to the room • Review the SAR and feedback

19. Expectations of information in a SAR - Safeguarding • Information about policies and procedures within the organisation and how they are communicated to staff • Who takes responsibility for safeguarding and how safeguarding is managed • Information about CRB checks • Staff development, training and awareness of safeguarding • When and how learners receive safeguarding information • Answers to the question about how safe learners feel and how the provider knows this • How safeguarding is promoted and reinforced • Information about risk assessments of learners • Examples of good practice or examples of changes or initiatives introduced • Other information

20. Expectations of information in a SAR – Equality of opportunity • Information about policies and procedures within the organisation and how they are communicated to stakeholders and staff • Who takes responsibility for the promotion and monitoring of equality and diversity • How equal opportunities is promoted and monitored • Staff development, training and awareness of equality and diversity • When and how learners receive equal opportunities information • How equal opportunities is reinforced on an ongoing basis • How data is collected and used to monitor the performance of different groups of learners • Examples of good practice or examples of changes or initiatives introduced • Other information

21. Lunch 12:30 – 13:15

22. Part 2b - Making your PRD group work for you Collaborating on improvement activities can provide greater and more cost effective returns than working individually! 13:15 – 14:15

23. Objectives During this session delegates will: • consider what is required in order to carry out collaborative development activity • discuss how collaboration could help their organisations to save resources and improve provision.

24. Collaborative development activity • On your table look through the cards for safeguarding or equality and diversity some of which are essential and some are desirable • In groups or pairs consider which could be produced/delivered collaboratively • Identify the advantages of collaborative working and how the tasks could be shared • Feedback the conclusions from the group

25. Purpose of the day Aim: To further develop effective approaches to collaborative group working Objectives: For delegates to learn how to: • successfully embed a collaborative PRD ethos within their own organisation • reap the benefits of collaborative activity arising from the rigorous validation of self-assessment judgements • undertake collaborative development activities • use the broader PRD community to address specific issues.

26. Part 3 - Making other PRD groups work for you The wider PRD community provides access to a network of 900 Learning and Skills sector experts – use them! 14:15 – 15:00

27. Objectives During this session delegates will: • network with colleagues who have carried out activities in an area of interest to their group • inform colleagues of the activities that their group has undertaken and the outcomes of these • consider for what purpose they might want to work with another PRD group.

28. Collaborative group working across the Programme • Approximately 54 (31%) of groups are actively collaborating with other groups/organisations • A large number of groups are part of a network (e.g. South West Peer Confederation) who share information from their PRD activities with the other network members • One of the key areas groups are collaborating on relate to national priorities and current challenges facing the sector

29. Activity – Making connections In relation to the topic heading on the posters around the room: • choose an area where you have carried out PRD activity in • as a group brainstorm: • what collectively you have done in this area • what were the outcomes • how could you work collaboratively between groups on this • important factors when collaborating • are you looking to collaborate in a particular area? • feedback to the room.

30. PRD community A new web space designed to promote collaboration between providers. The community holds information on every organisation and PRD group currently involved in SfE peer review and development activity and allows users to: • Browse groups and organisations by sector, region and PRD activity • Identify other groups involved in activities of common interest • Contact (and be contacted by) other groups and providers over a secure server • Ask questions and share experiences via an interactive notice board • Apply to join additional PRD groups and networks • Set up new groups and manage group details

31. Thank you for attending