Guide to the Problem Solving forms

							                  Guide to Problem Solving and Partnership forms

Purpose

This Guide provides you with an explanation of the Problem Solving and Partnership Case
Management forms.

Is this just more pointless form filling?

No, and this is why. These help people and partnerships to manage complex issues and work
with others outside their own organisation. These forms have been developed over the last
10 years by practitioners. There are a number of them and that is for a reason. People
prefer well designed forms that meet a specific need and written in such a way to help them
make sense of what they need to do and why, as opposed to a form where one size fits all.

Is there not a software system available?

At this time, there is not one that is suitable for problem solving and partnership working.
The ones currently available, though well intended, have just too many drawbacks in some of
the critical areas. So until then these are going are the best alternative. They are written on
Microsoft Word and Excel. There are no licences and therefore they are free to use.

What are the benefits of this recording process?

      It provides a method of documentation to support the UK National Intelligence
       Model, and fills previously identified gaps.

      It supports the Hallmarks detailed in the Home Office report titled Delivering Safer
       Communities: A Guide to effective partnerships.

      It is easy to use as it follows the principles of the Plain English campaign.

      It provides an overview of the complete structure and shows how the different stages
       support each other and as a result provides clarity to the practitioner on what is
       required at each stage.

      It provides and audit trial for funding, both internal and external.

      It allows line managers to see how the work is progressing.

      It enables the performance of teams and individuals to be assessed.

      It allows an initiative to be easily handed over to another person.

      It assists Problem Solving Advisors and trainers (if they are different) to see whether
       their advice and training has been of use and also to help identify where there are
       further training needs.

      There are different forms for the different tiers of a Problem Oriented Strategy and the
       different stages of the Problem Solving Process. To assist the user the headings of the
       different forms have different colours.

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The Forms.

Strategic Purpose / Plan

This is to be used to record the overall purpose of a Partnership, such as a Community Safety
or Health Partnership. It is ideal for recording the Community Safety Plan. Equally it
could be used by the Police managing their Safer Neighbourhood Policing Programme.

Strategic Aim

This would be used for problem types and themes, such as reducing violence or improving the
image of a Town Centre. These would be used by Thematic groups which are working to a
Partnership Operational Group. It is also suitable for Neighbourhood Policing / Safer
Neighbourhood teams.

Problem Solving Process (PSP)

This is to be used for recording your Problem Solving work on specific problems. They can be
used for most processes, such as the Partnership Process ID PARTNERS.

Record of activity

This is to be used to record actions on an issue which is at this stage is not suitable for the
use of the Problem Solving Process.

Request for funding

This is to be used by the Partnership Operational Group or Coordinating and Tasking groups
to manage the application for funding and resources. It is suitable people and groups leading
on Strategic Aims or PSPs.

Request for Research and Analysis

This is to be used to apply for Research and Analysis from the Intelligence Units.

Research and analysis report

This can be used by Researchers and Analysts to record their work.

Impact evaluation report

This can be used when undertaking impact evaluation work on either the Strategic Aim or
Problem Solving Process PSP.

Process evaluation reports

This can be used for reviewing problem solving initiatives and rewarding others.

The spreadsheets

There are also two spreadsheets available, one for managing the Strategic Aims and one for
managing the PSPs and the Record of Activities.

                     For any further information please contact mail@sixthsensetraining.co.uk
                                           www.sixthsensetraining.co.uk