Case Study

Coventry City Council is the largest organisation in Coventry employing over 16,000 employees. It services the local population of over 300,000 people. Social care is an important and essential part if its services to the community.

Coventry Social Services have adopted the new 'e-Learning BTEC Certificate in Management Studies' as part of their approach to achieving National Care Standards qualifications targets. The programme in its first year has been rolled out to 23 managers and the first awards were given in September 2004. Due to the success of the programme, it has been rolled out to further learners - to date there are 65 managers undertaking the qualification.

With strong customer ethos, Coventry Social Services places high priority on offering the best service to the community. To offer a high level of service Coventry Social Services recognise that its staff need the appropriate skills to manage and lead teams effectively.

In line with National Standards, Coventry Social Services are working towards the NVQ Level 4 in Care using the very latest learning techniques through the newly launched e-Learning BTEC Certificate in Management Studies. Using the e-Learning BTEC Certificate in Management Studies is a way that the main qualification can be achieved quickly, at the convenience of the manager, with a modern, exciting and interactive learning experience.

The e-Learning content that supports the BTEC Certificate in Management Studies is the latest release from AdVal KeyKnowledge in partnership with Edexcel. Learners from Coventry Social Services experience streamed video case studies, have access to the latest thinking including John Adair, are able to complete self-analysis questionnaires including Myers-Briggs, experience motivational learning content throughout and are questioned to reinforce the learning.

The first learners started the programme in September 2003 and included managers within the department and also Registered Managers working in care homes throughout the area.

Learners at the first Induction Day for Coventry Social Services. Also in the picture Keith Pledger from Edexcel, Linda Bickel from e-assessment-4u, the management mentor Ron Hicks and Lynn Bassett from Coventry Social Services

Each of the 23 learners from Coventry City Council has undertaken the 5 core Units of the programme and one optional Unit.

The learners gained support from the programme leader from Coventry Social Services programme leader, Lynn Bassett, a Management Mentor in Ron Hicks and assessment through Linda Bickel of e-assessment-4u.

To date Coventry Social Services have successfully completed Units 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the final Optional Unit 9. The initial 23 learners completed the programme in August 2004 and have been recognised by the Chartered Management Institute. These learners were awarded their certificates at a special Graduation Ceremony in September 2004.

Graduates from the pilot receive their BTEC Certificate in Management Studies from John Bolton, Director of Social Services (far right) at Coventry City Council and Joe Quilter, Director at e-assessment-4u.

Talking to AdVal KeyKnowledge, Lynn Bassett, Training Manager commented:

"The e-Learning BTEC Certificate in Management Studies proves that soft skills can be taught well by e-Learning - it is truly engaging and has a real impact on the learner. Now we can use the e-Learning BTEC to improve the soft skills staff require to manage and lead effectively. The fact that our staff achieve the national accredited Certificate in Management Studies qualification is a huge benefit both individually and for the Council."

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For further information on this programme and other e-qualifications from AdVal KeyKnowledge, please contact Client Services on:

Case Study - Coventry City Council

COVENTRY CITY COUNCIL USE E-LEARNING BTEC QUALIFICATION TO ACHIEVE CARE STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS

For further Information