Terms of reference

Definition

Support networks are (for) groups of practitioners who deliver or manage the delivery of an OCR qualification or a group of OCR qualifications.

The characteristics of a network

Networks should have the following characteristics:

1. The group is relatively stable in membership in that most members attend most meetings. There are some new entrants occasionally and some leavers.
2. The group meets regularly (once, twice or three times a year).
3. All members are clear that these events are not about conventional 'training'. They are about peer learning with a CSM as facilitator only.
4. Members regularly (a) bring descriptions of good practice (b) bring queries to solve (c) bring material to share (d) offer to lead parts of session.
5. Members are active rather than passive during meetings.
6. Members determine dates for future meetings and suggest items for the agenda.
7. Members are interested in maintaining telephone/email links with other members.
8. No 'expert' (PO, EV or Moderator) is present (NB there may be occasions when the group agrees to fund attendance by an expert and this should not be precluded).

The role of the CSM Facilitator

When it has been established that a network meeting is viable the CSM who has been identified as the facilitator takes the following action:

1. Consults the PO or SO and other relevant sources within OCR for an 'Update item' on the agenda.
2. Consults a similar group of people (but possibly others) within OCR to provide responses to 'queries' sent in by delegates.
3. Constructs an agenda and asks Administrative Support to copy along with any material which delegates have sent for standardisation activities.
4. Makes sure that the initial meeting of the group discusses the characteristics of network meetings as set out above.
5. Makes sure that the first meeting of the group establishes meeting times and frequencies.
6. Makes sure that every meeting concludes with a discussion of what the topics will be at the next network meeting.
7. Provides an opportunity for delegates to exchange email addresses and telephone numbers.
8. The CSM provides (1) an agenda (2) photocopies of material where required.