1. Peer Challenge in the South East
Orientation and Preparation
Please contact if you have any questions

2. What is Peer Challenge?
Important part of the sector-led improvement activity
Directed by the host DCS
Self-evaluation undertaken by the host, and shared with the visitors
1.5 days of field work gathering evidence
0.5 days reflections and feedback
At least 6 months later, follow-up visit

3. Who are the Challengers?
A team of four, drawn from different authorities
A DCS, an Assistant Director, and 2 x practitioners
Nominated by their DCS
Staff time supplied on a mutual basis between the participants in each Round

4. Summary from Rounds 1-9 (46 challenges)
Topics
Summary from Rounds 1-9 (46 challenges)
Early Help x 8
School Improvement x 4
Alternative Education x 5
Children’s Centres x 4
LSCB arrangements x 3
Educational Psychology x 2
SEND x 3
Work with Families x 2
Child Sexual Exploitation x 2
Children in Care x 2
Social Work Practice
Partnerships
Health Integration
Raising Participation Age
Missing Children
Youth Offending Service
Care Leavers
Adolescents & Edge of Care
Children in Need
Corporate Parenting
MASH

5. Summary from Rounds 1-9 (46 challenges)
Participants
Summary from Rounds 1-9 (46 challenges)
Bracknell Forest - 6
Brighton and Hove - 5
Portsmouth - 4
Windsor and Maidenhead - 4
Milton Keynes - 3
Kent - 3
Surrey - 3
Wokingham - 3
Medway - 2
East Sussex - 2
Reading - 2
Hampshire - 2
West Berkshire - 2
Southampton - 2
West Sussex - 2
Hertfordshire - 1

6. Modelling Good Practice
Reflective Practice
Professional Supervision
Subject to Independent Audit

7. Reflective Practice
Obviously for the host, who undertakes a self-evaluation of the topic
The topic is nominated by the host DCS, and fits with active improvement journey
Less obviously, the Peer Challenge event is also a great opportunity for the visiting team members to reflect on their own practice

8. Professional Supervision
Of the host organisation by the visiting challengers
Important that the team includes a Director, and Assistant Director and practitioners with relevant professional experience

9. Independent Audit Peer Challenge is not the same as Case Record Review
Observation of Practice
Validation of Audits
… but the programme organised by the hosts may include some of these elements

10. Assurance Triangle

11. Essential Principles The visitors:
are engaged at the invitation of the host DCS
act in the host’s interests, and
provide assistance as critical friends to the host’s improvement journey

12. Peer Challenge IS Critical Friend Offering professional insight
Appreciative enquiry
Private, narrative feedback
Context specific
Responsive to host circumstances
IS NOT
Inspection
About making judgements
Deficit analysis
Published discoverable reports
Templated
Following the visitors’ formula

13. …and now for some Reflection
Explore your hopes, fears, worries, concerns, questions and queries
Listening Practice
“Time to Think” – Nancy Kline (1999, ISBN: )
…then we will decide how to allocate the remaining time together

14. Exercise

15. Tips for Peer Challengers
Observe the 80/20 rule
You listen for 80% of the time
You speak for 20% of the time
Ask don’t tell
Remember it is about encouraging reflective practice
Gather evidence by listening to what they say
Never, ever start “In my authority, we …”

16. Bloom’s Taxonomy

17. Questions? Work through Bloom’s hierarchy Open not closed
Tell me about …How do you …What is important about…Have you considered …I’m curious, please explain more …
Work through Bloom’s hierarchy
Invite analysis and evaluation as well information

18. And if you are stuck … Two stand-by questions: what went well? (WWW)
…and it would have been even better if … (EBI)

19. …and if you are really stuck …
…is there anything else you want to say?

20. Tips for Hosts
Be good hosts – make sure the visitors are well looked after (food, rest, travel, base room, wi-fi)
Programme ‘me/us’ time for the visitors
A range of sources of evidence – Cllrs? Partners? Service Users? Managers? Staff?
Observation of practice?