What procedures do you have for managing risk? Organisations face a variety of risks which range from organising educational excursions to the risks involved in taking forward too many changes too quickly and losing staff support. Risks can be categorised and associated with different levels of work within the organisation. These are some examples of risks to an establishment/service: I
the disappearance of a major income stream;
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a major curriculum change;
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losing strong partners from effective partnerships;
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major restructuring;
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being unable to deliver an integral part of a programme to a group of learners because of the illness of key staff and the unavailability of suitable cover; and
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change of policy of placing authorities who may prefer to place young people in local provision.
While all risks associated with educational institutions impact in one way or another on the quality of learner experiences, some have more direct effects than others. Leaders do need to have the courage to act in situations where results are not assured. They need to learn how to manage risks. Learners too often encounter challenging activities but must be helped to understand that they can risk making mistakes because they understand that they can learn from them.20
Key Messages: Section 4 Leadership And Direction: Focusing On What’s Important I
Strategic planning sets out the future direction of the establishment or service.
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Leadership for learning means putting learning and learners at the centre of the agenda.
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Effective leaders have a firm grasp of budgetary planning and target resources including staff resources, towards identified priorities.
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Effective leaders and effective establishments/services promote and support innovation and change whilst evaluating and managing risks.
Self-evaluation Materials Examples of self-evaluation/case study materials relating to this section can be found on the HMIE website: www.hmie.gov.uk.
20 Curriculum for Excellence: Promoting Active Learning, Scottish Executive
55 Four: Leadership and direction: focusing on what’s important