Managing Dispersed Teams
The existence of dispersed teams is very common in social care but surprisingly little time is spent ensuring that the particular needs of such teams are well managed. Dispersed teams can be described as ‘teams working together apart’ examples could be;
• Different times in different places – personal support services, community services.
• The same time in different places – floating support, tenancy support.
• Different times in the same place – hostels and supported housing.
• Any time and in any place – outreach services, emergency support services.
Managing teams across time and place requires different skills and approaches than the management of static teams. The assumption that dispersed teams are like other teams is a potentially dangerous one.
The course will give participants the knowledge and confidence to successfully tackle the different challenges dispersed teams pose and to ensure that such teams are effective.
Course Aims
To give participants the knowledge and confidence to successfully manage dispersed teams
Course Objectives
By the end of the course participants will;
• Be able to define and list the attributes of a dispersed team.
• Know the role, skills and attributes necessary to be a successful leader of such teams.
• Be aware of the effects of organisational and personal culture on the functioning of these teams.
• Know practical means of developing a team culture such as developing ‘meeting practice’ and developing ‘knowledge banks’.
• Identify and maximise team behaviours that develop trust and cohesion between team members.
• Know how to use accessible and affordable technology to promote and develop team working.
• Develop a personal SMART action plan.