TeamADL case study
TeamADL is a UK based organization that specializes in the Special Needs and Disability Services sector for young people and vulnerable adults.
The work with a wide variety of schools and local authorities across the UK. Their services include online and face-to-face consulting and a full range of training courses to help special needs practitioners in their challenging roles.
They also offer a selection of resources such as planning tools to help in mental health support, online learning and career advice for those working within this sector.
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The Problem
The team have been recruited across the country and rarely have time to meet or work directly with each other. The senior management team had become concerned over the disparate nature of the team and the knock-on effect of lack of regular face to face contact. This concerned revolved around the effectiveness of their communication as the individuals didn’t really know each other as people.
Management was keen to improve all aspects of teamwork but didn’t know how or where to start. They needed a line-in-the-sand marker so everyone knew where they were at so improvements could be sought and delivered.
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The Solution
The ADL teams completed their surveys online – what one manager called ‘a really simple process’ – and then delved into the results. Given the platform is online, initial and ongoing access was straightforward. Once the reports had been compiled, managers organized group Skype calls to take each team through their results. Everyone was emailed a pdf copy direct from the platform for their own reading and records.
Outcomes
Better understanding, building trust – results improving
The first outcome was the obvious need to get the teams together on a regular basis. monthly meetings have now been diarised. These meetings have two purposes and are planned as such. The first is around work – with the usual issues, challenges. The second round getting to know each other. One of the survey results indicated high levels of competence throughout the teams that were not known about. The sharing and seeking out of best practice has now become the norm. Team members, managers, and clients have greatly benefited from this.
The team reports have really helped our team and given our senior leaders the knowledge we’ve needed to make effective changes to the way we work and manage.
Anita Devi
Director TeamWorkADL
