OLCreate: Unit 6: Learning and implementation: 6.2 Building capacity in your organisation

Unit 6: Learning and implementation

View

6.2 Building capacity in your organisation

Three stacks of different-coloured sticky notes and a calendar with a pencil.
_{© eamesBot / Shutterstock}

Developing a training plan to build capacity in your organisation.

It’s so important to build knowledge, awareness and capacity within the organisation with regards to safeguarding.

During this course, you have hopefully built-up sufficient knowledge and understanding of the subject and may already be thinking about how to pass this on to others. It is good practice and part of donor standards that safeguarding training be mandatory for all those who work or are associated with your organisation.

When developing a training module for staff and associated personnel, there are some things you will need to consider (if you have access to a learning and development advisor in the organisation, it’s a good idea to consult with them):

i) People learn in different ways using their different senses, so it’s a good idea to include different methods in the training session to keep their attention.

The four main types of learners are:

a. Visual – learn from images/drawings.
b. Auditory – learn from listening.
c. Kinaesthetic/Physical – learn by doing.
d. Theorists – learn by reading.

ii) Planning and preparation of materials are key. For example, avoid simply running through a policy or emailing information without explanation.

iii) Think about how much time you will need to deliver the training.

iv) Will it be face-to-face or online? If it’s the former, it should be a conducive and safe environment for learning and comfortable to accommodate all participants. If it’s the latter, you will need to find a time slot and an online platform that works for everyone with good connectivity (try to keep this slot half a day or less).

Aim for a good gender balance in the room if possible and ensure that people respect each other’s views and opinions. The sessions included in the template are only a guide.

Reflect on how to keep your messaging simple and clear. Consider the importance of avoiding jargon that will confuse participants.

Activity 6.1 Developing a training plan

Using the table below, think about how you might go about providing training on the topics in the middle column and make some notes about this in the end column. Also consider what materials and resources you might need for a safeguarding induction session. Here is a writable PDF version of the table.

This activity is just to start you thinking about training – if you are not usually responsible for training this might be something you want to discuss with others in your organisation.

This is a table detailing how to develop a training plan. There is an accessible PDF version of this table available in the downloads area.

View comment

The Open University has created a training resource called Training Toolkit: Safeguarding in the International Aid Sector that is designed for those who are responsible for safeguarding in development or humanitarian contexts.