UNIT 7: Teamwork and problem solving for work in the public services (LEVEL 2)

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1 UNIT 7: Teamwork and problem solving for work in the public services (LEVEL 2) Learning outcomes By completing this unit candidates will develop the skills and understanding of the requirements of effective teams, their composition, and effectiveness. They will also undertake practical activities and evaluate their roles within the team and the effectiveness of their participation. Candidates will produce evidence to meet the unit assessment objectives in order to show that they understand: knowledge of team composition and dynamics types of teams that exist within public services the importance of teams within a chosen public service factors that influence the effectiveness of a team individual roles within a team practical problem solving their own personal effectiveness. Assessment objectives 1 Explain the ways in which teams emerge 2 Identify and explain the range of teams that exist within public services Knowledge, understanding and skills Emergence forming storming norming performing adjourning Range shift crew watch regiment squadron multi-agency specialist Organisation structure purpose responsibilities OCR Level 2 Nationals in Public Services 1

2 Assessment objectives 3 Assess the importance of working in teams within a chosen public service 4 Explain factors that determine the effectiveness of teams 5 Explain individual roles within a team 6 As a member of a team participate in a practical problem solving activity and analyse personal effectiveness Knowledge, understanding and skills Importance command and control problem solving support camaraderie morale discipline individual contribution and skill cost and efficiency Effectiveness dependant upon: leadership commitment loyalty identity co-operation communication skill Roles Belbin theory leader manager decision-maker team worker resource investigator monitor/evaluator shaper completer/finisher Understanding how personal strengths and weaknesses contribute to roles within teams (eg Myers Briggs) Problem solving identify problems identify possible solutions select and implement solution adjust if necessary review if necessary identify and use resources Evaluate: activity personal role within the team lessons to be learnt OCR Level 2 Nationals in Public Services 2

3 Assessment This unit is centre assessed and externally moderated. In order to achieve this unit candidates must produce a portfolio of evidence showing that they have met all of the assessment objectives. Portfolios of work must be produced independently. They will need to be made available, together with witness statements and any other supporting documentation, to the OCR Visiting Moderator when required. Centres must confirm to OCR that the evidence produced by candidates is authentic. An OCR Centre Authentication Form is provided in the Centre Handbook and includes a declaration for assessors to sign. It is a requirement of the QCA Common Criteria for all Qualifications that proof of authentication is received. Guidance on assessment and evidence requirements When delivering this unit centres should combine theoretical aspects with practical experiences. As a consequence tutors are required to undertake a range of teaching strategies and utilise a variety of materials, case studies and exercises in order to help candidates develop their knowledge, skills and understanding. Centres may wish to arrange visits from speakers such as human resource managers and managers in public services. In addition some public services (especially the armed forces) may offer opportunities for candidates to undertake command tasks. Assessment Objectives 1, 4 and 5 require candidates to explore the theories surrounding team formation and dynamics, however they should also be encouraged to draw upon their own experiences of being members of teams. Assessment Objective 2 requires candidates to explore a range of teams that exist and this should be done in relation to a variety of different public services. Candidates will need to understand the composition and function of each of these types of teams. Candidates could undertake a project to find examples of the operation of each type of team within the services. Assessment Objective 3 requires candidates to select one public service and to concentrate on value of teamwork within that service. Awareness should be shown of the range of teams within that service and examples should be sought of their positive impact on operational effectiveness. Assessment Objective 4 requires candidates to consider both positive and negative aspects of those factors that influence the effectiveness of a team. This objective could be met through analysis of case studies whereby candidates identity key influences and comment on how possible changes could alter the performance of the team. In delivering Assessment Objective 5 candidates will need to be familiar with Belbin s concept of team roles, however candidates should demonstrate an awareness of the value of different roles and an understanding of their own role within the team. This can be linked with Assessment Objective 6 whereby candidates participate in a practical activity as part of a team. Emphasis when grading should not be placed on the performance of the team in achieving the objective, but rather on the individual s ability to evaluate and analyse their own performance. Tutors must ensure a suitable practical activity is provided for candidates to undertake. This unit has links with Unit 1: Investigating public services in the UK, Unit 8: Public service communications and Unit 14: Introduction to career planning for public services. They might therefore be taught in an integrated way. Care must be taken to ensure that assessment objectives for each unit are met. OCR Level 2 Nationals in Public Services 3

4 Candidates may provide portfolio evidence for the assessment objectives using a range of presentation techniques. This may include written data, the use of video, audio and PowerPoint presentation and witness and assessor statements, as appropriate. Signposting to Key Skills The unit contains opportunities for developing the Key Skill, and possibly for generating portfolio evidence, if teaching and learning is focused on that aim. Key Skill reference Key Skill reference Key Skill reference C2.1 N2.1 IT2.1 C2.2a N2.2a IT2.2 C2.2b N2.2b IT2.3 C2.3 N2.2c N2.2d N2.3 Mapping to National Occupational Standards Occupational Standards Teamleading Level 2 Level 2 NVQ in Public Services Unit number A9 C19 Title Organise and improve your team s work Maintain and develop effective working relationships 3.1 Make positive personal contributions to effective working relationships 3.2 Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others Resources This section provides suggestions of suitable resources. The list is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive, and candidates should be encouraged to gather information from a variety of sources. Some suggested resources are intended for Tutor use. The resources in this section were correct at the time of production. Books Adair, J. (1987) Belbin, M. (1996) Guirdham, M. (1990) Mager, R. (1998) Coachwise Publication Observation Coachwise Publication Effective Team Building Gower Publishing Team Roles at Work Butterworth-Heinemann Interpersonal Skills at Work Prentice Hall Analysing Performance Problems Atlantic Books Analysis and Video Coaching Sessions: your guide to planning and goal setting 4 OCR Level 2 Nationals in Public Services

5 Websites Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. URL: People Management. URL: News service that covers developments in employee relations and training. Equal Opportunities Commission. URL: Agency working to eliminate sex discrimination in Britain. Disability.gov.uk. URL: Find out about the rights of a disabled person, and to learn more about the legislation that exists. Cabinet Office. URL: A report on the environment needed to promote good leadership, the recruitment and development of future leaders with suggestions on some possible next steps for the public sector as a whole. OCR Level 2 Nationals in Public Services 5

6 Grading Assessment Objective AO1 Explain the ways in which teams emerge AO2 Identify and explain the range of teams that exist within public services AO3 Assess the importance of working in teams within a chosen public service AO4 Explain factors that determine the effectiveness of teams AO5 Explain individual roles within a team AO6 As a member of a team participate in a practical problem solving activity and analyse personal effectiveness Pass Merit Distinction Candidates demonstrate a basic understanding by giving a brief explanation of the ways in which teams are formed. Candidates provide a limited explanation of teams that operate within the public services. Candidates provide a simple assessment of the importance of working in teams within a specific public service. Using a few examples, candidates briefly explain factors that determine the effectiveness of teams and reach some simple conclusions. Candidates provide a brief explanation of individual roles within a team. Candidates participation in a practical problem solving activity is satisfactory. Candidates provide a simple analysis on the activity, personal role and the lessons learned. Candidates demonstrate a sound understanding by giving a clear explanation of the ways in which teams are formed. Candidates provide a detailed explanation using some examples of teams that operate within the public services. Candidates provide a detailed assessment of the importance of working in teams within a specific public service. Using a variety of examples, candidates give a clear explanation of factors that determine the effectiveness of teams and reach some accurate conclusions. Candidates provide a detailed explanation of individual roles within a team. Candidates participation in a practical problem solving activity is appropriate. Candidates provide a clear analysis on the activity, personal role and the lessons learned. Candidates demonstrate a thorough understanding by giving a comprehensive explanation of the ways in which teams are formed. Candidates provide a clear and detailed explanation using relevant examples of teams that operate within the public services. Candidates provide a comprehensive assessment of the importance of working in teams within a specific public service. Using a range of appropriate examples, candidates give a comprehensive explanation of factors that determine the effectiveness of teams and reach some perceptive conclusions. Candidates provide a clear and detailed explanation of individual roles within a team. Candidates participation in a practical problem solving activity is effective and efficient. Candidates provide a detailed analysis on the activity, personal role and the lessons learned. 6 OCR Level 2 Nationals in Public Services