Category 302 – Working together Networking, Collaboration & Partnership

Community Learning Development Resource Category 302

WORKING TOGETHER – NETWORKING,

COLLABORATION & PARTNERSHIP

 

SUMMARY

This category of resources explores the nature and practice of co-working. The use of the term, ‘Partnership’ generically describes a range of co-working arrangements that vary in both organisation and effects. It is important that we understand the differences and are able to design and develop arrangements that best suit and support the effectiveness of our work and that of our co-working partners. There are many good reasons for collaborative practice but developing, managing and maintaining productive co-working arrangements, requires understanding, and efficient and effective resourcing.

Below is a guide to the CLD category 302 resource files, which focus on why and how workers and organisations should seek to collaborate, with a list  of Learning Outcomes, which summarise the learning supported by these resources.

 

WORKING TOGETHER

The Category 302 Resource Guide

Resource

Notes for Readers and Trainers
302 – 02

Co-working and partnership arrangements

This resource (302-02) explores how separate workers and agencies, engaging in community development and regeneration, might work collectively, particularly in relation to being client-centred in their practice. To prompt reflection and discussion of the desirability of working collectively in support of people in communities and neighbourhoods.
302 – 03

Exploring co-working relationships

Why work with other workers and agencies? Feedback from four exercises in workshop sessions with community learning, community development and neighbourhood regeneration workers, where they  discussed their experiences of co-working arrangements with other workers and agencies. The material offers scope for reflection, group work and discussion.
302 – 04

Partnership working – positives & negatives

Starting points for discussions about planning for co-working.

Two brief checklists of ideas and opinions from workers and managers about what factors (1) support or (2) constrain interagency working. This resource (302-04) could be used to agenda discussion about co-working proposals or to review arrangements.
302 – 05

Types of working relationships

A Continuum Model for a range of working relationships and structural arrangements for levels of ‘togetherness’ in working relationships. Can be used to review practice and needs. Can be used to model levels of relationship needed in special situations or for particular purposes, to aid the identification of appropriate co-working arrangements
302 – 06

 

 

 

Developing local co-working relationships

Practical issues identified by local community development workers discussing concerns about collaboration. Concerns about partnership requirements compromising own values or effectiveness; the maintenance demands including evaluation and review. A checklist is provided.
302 – 07

 

 

 

Managing for effectiveness in co-working arrangements

This resource (302-07) explores the reality of co-working, mainly within partnership arrangements in community development and regeneration work, through issues and concerns identified by workers and managers. Areas explored include – co-working initiation and maintenance; effects on clients; questions about joined up thinking.
302 – 08

 

 

Reflective commentary on co-working

Understanding partnership arrangements in relation to our own organisation and practice helps us to develop effective co-working with other workers and agencies, whilst retaining our identity. This resource records discussion points from a workshop with a Community Learning team, working in targeted deprived neighbourhoods, to build individual and collective capacity through informal learning opportunities.
302 – 09

 

 

 

Partnership protocols – A Case Study

Issues of recognition and organisational reputation and profile, and being learner-centred, arsing within a ‘joint’ initiative between a local statutory service and a voluntary agency. The need to broker mutually acceptable and understood co-working arrangements before things go wrong.
302 – 10

The negative ‘P’ words

The negative ‘P’ words of  partnership that get in the way – drawn from the experiences of workers – an expanding list, assembled from training activities with workers – to prompt responses and reflection, including about how to address the negative issues.
302 – 11

Working collectively as a team

A framework for reviewing efficiency and effectiveness when working as a team. Two key questions:

  • What role does the team have in relation to the work and the team members?
  • What status and power does the team have to organise and manage the work
302 – 12

 

 

 

Fundamental questions about co-working

Looking at the feasibility of co-working arrangements between two or more agencies requires that a number of fundamental questions should be addressed at an early stage. These questions explore the rationale for co-working before more detailed negotiations seek to put in place the organisation and processes of co-working.

 

 

CLD Resource Category 302

WORKING TOGETHER

SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL LEARNING OUTCOMES

 
 

  • Workers have a practical understanding of the nature of co-working and collective working including the appropriateness of different models and processes

 

  • Workers are confident to seek and to develop co-working and collective working relationships with others

 

  • Workers are able to evidence effective co-working arrangements in the delivery of community development and regeneration work outcomes

 

  • Workers are confident to encourage colleagues and learners to develop co-working and collective approaches to addressing issues.