Ptlls_Assignment_1

I’m an Assistant Manager within raining. My main role focuses on managing the Observation of Teaching and Learning (OTL) and Audit Compliance within the centre I work. It’s through these areas I have input into sff training. My role covers all programmes we deliver – Job Centre Plus (JCP) Work-based Learning (WBL) and Enty to Employment (E2E). I have been carrying out this role since March 2008, part time (20 hours per week). Within JCP the first area I decided to focus on was assessing exactly where the team was in terms of meeting contractual requirements, if they were completing documentation correctly and how the programme was meeting the needs of clients. I began by carrying out regularly visits to each of the centres we operate from to carry out formal audit checks. It became apparent through these assessments the areas necessary for staff to work on to improve standards. Individual team meetings were held after each of the checks to feedback to all concerned findings and action necessary raise standards. This was also an opportunity for staff to feedback where they thought changes could be made. This is one area where boundaries need to be clearly set. I have certain responsibilities to deal with – if a member of staff or client was to raise a query that I did not have the answer to I would need to explain that I need to find out the answer or refer them to the correct person/agency. I am fully aware of the consequences that may arise from the wrong information being given. E.g. at worst it could have a detrimental effect on a client’s progress, contractual money claimed back. Through close liaison with the JCP Assistant Manager when the audits were carried out, it became apparent that more staff training was needed. I was able to feed into the staff training to be covered. I organised other members of staff from another ‘contract’ area to assist as they had specific team building skills to add the variety needed to the day. I planned and co-ordinated and delivered training on this one day event. The day on the whole was a huge success. I kept a file of the training covered, gathered feedback from participants and reflected myself on how the training went. This whole process proved valuable in reflection for Self Assessment and also providing evidence for Ofsted inspectors. Through managing Observation of Teaching and Learning I have the responsibility of tracking and planning when the observations should be carried out for all staff members ensuring all aspects of their job roles are covered. This is an area I am still building on. I have made sure all observers have attended the national staff training to enable them to formally observe. I have myself carried out observations and developed individual staff training plans for members of staff who need to further their skills. This initially takes the form of 1-1 feedback, then an appropriate plan is created agreed by both parties and followed up, reflected upon and the next stage then agreed together. I reflect on staff observations every month. This helps highlight areas of improvement and plan for future training needs. From this time of reflection I can ensure Training Advisors are getting the right support and have the equipment necessary to deliver effectively. One of the biggest areas of I am focusing on is to ensure our clients are challenged enough during training to be motivated to gain employment and increase the JCP job outcomes. One element that will help assist this result is empowering all observers with the right skills and knowledge, through training, to take responsibility in supporting training advisors to ensure lessons are challenging. OTL one of my challenges is dealing with the day to day issues that arise – these could be staffing issues, sickness means staff may be pulled into different areas to cover another aspect of delivery. This could mean a planned observation does not get carried out – staff training that was needed doesn’t get covered. This is a constant area I have to monitor to ensure it gets picked up on or flexibility of those concerned cover another aspect of observation – if at all possible. This doesn’t always happen and therefore the whole plan of support can go off track. One of my boundaries that I do not step over is the need for staff to be pulled to cover a different area. I have to constantly juggle, keep relevant people informed of progress and work closely as a team communicating my needs for my responsibilities to be covered whilst respecting the ‘shop floor’ needs. So far there have not been any major problems that have not been sorted out without negotiation. I thoroughly enjoy my job role, I feel I work with a team of people that can reflect, work on and improve their delivery. I like to ensure the team has the confidence in me to tell me the challenges they face. I believe they have the trust in me that I won’t let them down and will where possible facilitate changes to raise the overall experience of learners/clients who come to us.