‘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

Concentric Learning Approaches

Individual Learner

Cumulative grouplearning

Expanded Sector Outcomes

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

Something to ponder

‘Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other’

John F. Kennedy 1963

Contact details

Sylvia Lemke, Quality Improvement Officer

www.cwav.asn.au03) 9614 1577sylvia.lemke@cwav.asn.au