Summary
This is about developing a clear picture of the objectives of the person you are working with and making sure those objectives can be achieved. It includes knowing how to set objectives, the potential risks involved, how to manage them, what resources are required, and how to help achieve them.
What you need to show
You must make sure that your practice meets the following requirements.
a Set practical and achievable objectives.
b Encourage and support the person you are working with to make practical judgements on what is essential, important or preferred and prioritise accordingly.
c Negotiate a plan of action with people you are working with and not be too prescriptive.
d Identify obstacles that may hamper progress.
e Evaluate what the risks and benefits are.
f Assess strengths and weaknesses, threats and opportunities.
g Plan what resources are needed to achieve objectives and secure them.
h Identify and work with others who can help realise the objectives.
i Help the people you are working with to secure other relevant sources of support.
What you need to know and understand
You need to know, understand and be able to apply each of the following.
Communication and interpersonal skills
1. How to use effective interpersonal and communication skills.
2. The benefits and drawbacks of different kinds of communication (for example, face to face
contact, phone, fax and email).
Analysis and planning
3. What the people you are working with want to achieve.
4. What is involved in achieving the stated objectives (for example, resources, commitment of the other people, skills, knowledge, and information).
5. How to evaluate the potential obstacles to progress (for example, lack of resource or desire from other key stakeholders).
6. Risk assessment techniques.
7. The resources available to meet objectives.
8. How to manage the change that meeting the objectives will bring.
9. The limits of your own skills and knowledge.
10. When and where to get other sources of support.
Personal behaviours
You need to be able to:
11. Respect the client’s need for information, commitment and confidentiality. IiP1.3
12. Think strategically, taking a holistic view of the way forward. IiP3.1
13. Seek the right information to analyse a situation and draw sound conclusions. IiP3.2
14. Generate justifiable alternatives to solve a problem or reach an outcome. IiP3.3
15. Apply knowledge and experience effectively, yet be open to exploring new ideas. IiP3.4
16. Listen and respond effectively, and check understanding. IiP4.3
17. Have a rigorous but impartial questioning style. IiP4.4
18. Effectively link objectives and actions to an overall strategy. IiP5.1
19. Prioritise and schedule to ensure optimum use of time and resource. IiP5.2
20. Recognise when plans need to be adapted and act accordingly. IiP5.4
21. Invite a two-way exchange of information and feedback from others. IiP6.3
22. Remain positive and maintain effort despite setbacks, changes or ambiguities.IiP7.3