Coventry and Warwickshire PA Events October 2007

Evaluation

The Performance Team plan and deliver PA Events for all advisers in Coventry and Warwickshire District every 6 months. The events are held at Nuneaton Jobcentre (the only site with a conference facility) spread over 3 days; with participants on each day coming from every office and advisory function. The content of the events is agreed by SMT, taking into account previous feedback from advisers and their ASMs, and key topics appropriate for that forum.

128 advisers attended over the 3 days with 98 completed evaluation sheets (76.5%). 97.2% felt that each topic was satisfactory or better, with 77.5% stating that it was good/very good.

The table below shows the total figures for the 3 days, although there was some variation in the scoring for the different days. The most successful session on all 3 days was for essential skills, with both the content and delivery being mentioned; and many advisers verbally commenting on how good it was to have an outside speaker who was relevant but brought a different perspective. Advisers also enjoyed the work trial session with one commenting “very good role play” and another suggesting the actors deserved an Oscar.

Subject / Very Good / Good / Satisfactory / Poor / Total
Introduction by Jane Beaver / 28 / 56 / 12 / 0 / 96
Work Psychologist consultancy role / 15 / 51 / 29 / 0 / 95
Essential Skills / 73 / 23 / 2 / 0 / 98
Work Trials / 54 / 32 / 10 / 0 / 96
Local Employment Partnerships / 17 / 50 / 24 / 3 / 94
Claims Maintenance SOM / 11 / 32 / 34 / 14 / 91
Venue / 25 / 49 / 20 / 2 / 96
Total / 223 / 293 / 131 / 19
33.5% / 44.0% / 19.7% / 2.9%

Comments

43 participants wrote comments on their evaluation form, varying from 4 on the first day, 13 on the second and 26 on the 3rd day.

On all three days there was positive feedback on the delivery and organisation of the events, for example, “I enjoyed the more interactive approach this event had. We were able to participate in many of the sessions which hold your attention more,” and “an excellent event, very well thought out and organised,” and “I particularly enjoyed the variety of presentation methods and interactive techniques.” “Network tables give opportunity to meet colleagues, exchange and share good practices”.

Several advisers commented on the use of abbreviations.

There were positive comments made about the lunch and refreshments (but several verbal comments were made about the lack of bacon and sausage rolls), but several advisers felt the venue was not central and difficult to get to from South Warwickshire. One adviser would like a later start time, but this would need to be balanced against the finish time. There was building work being undertaken during the events and several comments were made about the amount of noise and the difficulty in hearing the presenter. One adviser felt that the room was too warm and stuffy.

The item on AMEK involved the use of laptops to replicate the website; this session proved difficult as on the first two days only 4 laptops were available to use. With 6 available on the final day and clear guidance given this topic was better received. An example of comment made was “AMEK session needs tweaking”, and “there were not enough laptops which spoiled the AMEK part.”

The most difficult session of the day was introducing the claims maintenance SOM. Comments ranged from “advisers will not have enough time” and “not enough time to discuss the SOM fully, Mel made a good Attempt” and “feel the claims maintenance SOM session generated a lot of questions and confusion and needs looking at within local offices for better understanding of the process. Not a good session to end on! I didn’t envy Mel having to deliver the session.”