‘Circles of Excellence’Embedding Peer Based Learning
through the Quality Initiative
2006 ACWA Conference 2006 ACWA Conference Sylvia LemkeSylvia Lemke
Quality Improvement OfficerQuality Improvement Officer
Presentation overview:
Today we will be exploring:• How a welfare Peak has developed
and sustained a sector wide strategy on quality implementation
• The range of resources and strategies to support sector learning, to which Learning Circles are integral
The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Established 1912 90 current members ranging from >5
EFT to 500+ EFT 95% of members receive funding from
more than one department/program/source (up to 50+ programs in larger organisations)
All are committed to improved outcomes for the children, young people and their families for whom they provide services and the importance of continuous improvement
Why focus on quality? Always a need to improve systematically
the benefits people receive from services We already do it but call it different
things e.g. best practice Community has a reasonable expectation
of visible and transparent processes Organisations need to manage the
foundational/ aspirational quality tension
Business Excellence Framework (ABEF)Independent accreditation (eg. ISO, QICSA)Sectoral standards (aged care, child care)
Program standards (minimum)Organisational registration
Continuous Monitoring Project
Foundational Foundational qualityquality
Aspirational Aspirational excellenceexcellence
Core Core processeprocesse
ss
Whole-Whole-of- org’nof- org’n
ExternallExternally driveny driven
InternallInternally driveny driven
What are the different models of quality…
What the Centre is doing Supporting aspirational quality
improvement Developing a learning model using the
ABEF as modified for not for profits by Community Link Australia (CLA)
Training staff to be internal experts in quality
Learning outcomes and credentialisation tied to completion of self assessment
Developing an integrated quality assurance strategy with CLA using ‘Foundations First™’
About the ABEF The ABEF describes seven key windows as to
how an organisation functions
The framework poses a number of questions which illuminate the issues facing organisations
It allows an evaluation tool to assess a snapshot in time – and aspirations for the future
Evaluation requires skill development to define and measure present performance
Achieve Improvemen
tsOutcomes
Your Organisationas a System
Australian BusinessExcellence FrameworkAssess the
Current State
Hold Strengths andImplement Improvement
ProjectsPrioritise Opportunities
for Improvement
Identify Strengths andOpportunities for Improvement
Improvement
Plan
Cycle of continuous improvementCycle of continuous improvement
Assessment Report
Assessment Report
The ABEF approach offers:
A way of building organisational coherence
Culture rather than conformance driven Internationally tested When used with the awards process it
tests achievement through evaluation, independent of the sector and of government
Sustainable Organisations
“If we want sustainable communities, we need sustainable organisations. Use of the ABEF framework provides a strong ‘whole of organisation’ view of how things are going, and helps to identify where the most strategic opportunities for improvement are.”
Coleen Clare, CEO Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare
Level of engagement Over 300 training participants in
accredited courses Over 30 CSOs are engaged in work with
the ABEF Accreditation of the Vocational GradCert
in Community Service Excellence commences 2006
Up to 30 CSOs are actively engaged with other quality models including QICSA, EQUIP, ISO and Best Value
Over 25 CSOs are regularly involved in Learning Circles
Centre OutcomesBy implementing strategies in partnership we:
Efficiently invest in internal capacity and expertise
Manage the foundational/aspirational dynamic
Resource the sector by training people skilled to implement quality and culture
Improve services to clients and be able to demonstrate that improvement
Develop a values centred approach to quality
Sector learning strategies
Learning Circles Yahoo e-group Quality Newsletter Relevant Forums Development of policies, research and training courses Working Groups
Learning Circles
The concept of a Learning Circle is a simple yet powerful learning approach
It has been enshrined over time as a descriptive metaphor for the meeting of equals
It presupposes equal participation, recipricocity and acknowledgement of collective wisdom
It can support cumulative growth and change
Action Research links ‘Action research is a form of
collective self-reflective enquiry… the approach is only action research when it is collaborative, though it is important to realise that action research of the group is achieved through the critically examined action of individual group members.’
(Kemmis & McTaggart 1988:5-6
Outcomes over time… Long term values clarification Factual sharing Knowledge and resource
development Capacity building A powerful construct for evolution
Explicit Goals of Learning Circles Structured mechanism to share
practice approaches Group determines topics of relevance Adopts self-paced learning Builds networking & information
sharing Expands flexible learning modalities
Implicit Goals of Learning Circles Cumulative knowledge building to
enhance sectoral capacity Model collaborative practice Engage significant stakeholders in
centralised learning environments Develop an informed analysis of future
training and professional development Influence funders to support these
agendas
Range of Learning Circles Quality Learning CircleSelf-referencing group, meets on
quarterly basis Looking After Children (LAC)Inclusion of DHS reporting, meets three
times yearly Culturally and Linguistically
Diverse Groups (CALD) Guest expert speaker – meets as relevant
‘The opportunity to share concerns, ideas and progress is most valuable. As we grow in experience and knowledge they will become a valuable on-going resource for our service community’
John Cook, Menzies Inc
‘We have appreciated the capacity of the Centre to develop and facilitate opportunities for members to share and exchange practice and learning around quality improvement, benchmarking and practice excellence. The Centre has led this process at both a sector wide and local level… ‘
Glastonbury Child and Family Services
What participants say
Further comments‘Involvement in the LAC Learning Circles has provided
the opportunity for sharing of stories, information and knowledge between peers… meeting with peers has the capacity to clarify any concerns and sharing of strategies ,
Gina Warburton – Berry Street Victoria‘The Quality Learning Circle has provided an excellent
forum to discussion about how to turn ABEF theory into practice. Hearing how others at different stages of the process have gone about it – strategies used, problems encountered and solutions founds, has been invaluable.’
Susan Pitman – Oz Child
Conclusions
The Centre is committed to quality in services CSOs involved are building a sustainable,
independent, flexible pathway to improvement Suitable for partnership with government,
within which compliance with standards can be achieved
Based on embedding skills by training Learning Circles are an integral component Enables collaboration and sector improvement Moving from a learning organisation to a
learning sector