The CommonApproach toCompetency forRegulators

Outline

1 Why does it matter?

2 Background

3 How RDNA works

4 GRIP

5 Practical application

6 What people say

7 Next steps

8 Any questions?

1 Why does it matter?

• Flexible and agreed approach to regulators’ Continuous Professional Development

• Supports the development of skills and knowledge in a cost-effective way

• Provides confidence to all the key players: regulatory professionals, local authorities, national regulators and business

• Creates better outcomes for businesses and citizens

2 Background

• Work led by BRDO in partnership with the Regulatory Excellence Forum

• Aim is to introduce common regulatory competence standards – underpinned by a robust development process and comprehensive learning materials

• Overall approach is closely linked with the relevant qualifications frameworks provided by the professional bodies

Qualifications verses development?

• Qualifications demonstrate level of attainment…• …but at a particular point in time• Competencies need to remain relevant to regulatory

officers’ work as their careers progress• Development activity needs to be based on the skills

and knowledge required for a current or future role

Structure of competency frameworks

The common competency framework

The common approach

Competency frameworksCore regulatory skills, including leadershipSpecific technical knowledge

Regulators’ Development Needs AnalysisInteractive website providing a robust process to enable regulators to assess their development needs

Guidance for Regulators – Information PointPortal website identifying resources to help regulators meet their development needs in a cost-effective way

Key features

• Core, generic regulatory skills and leadership skills sections

• Technical knowledge sections, specific to areas of regulation

• The RDNA self-assessment tool• The GRIP, designed to help meet development needs

identified• A development process for regulators and managers

Main benefits

• Simplification of the regulatory system• Greater consistency of business regulation• Effective means of delivering Continuous Professional

Development for regulators and managers• Supported by the key players in the local and national

regulatory landscape, giving transparency and confidence to all

3 How RDNA works: Registration

Create your assessment

Create your assessment

Using the dashboard

Skills module statements

Indicators of competency

Answer options to individual statements

• I’m not confident – development need• I’m confident – no development need• I’m confident – development need• I’m confident – and already exceed• This is not applicable to my role

Work through the skills modules…

…then the relevant knowledge modules

Knowledge module statements

Report generation

• Once all the modules are complete an assessment report is created, which should be saved to your PC and provided to your manager

• It forms the basis for the development review• It highlights areas where a development need has been

identified, and gives a structure for discussions

4 GRIP: Development solutions

• GRIP identifies resources to help regulators meet their development needs

• It mirrors the RDNA skills and knowledge sections• It provides links to 12 types of learning material• CPD points can be gained through its use in respect of

activities undertaken to address identified development needs where a personal development plan is produced

Home page

Section page

Module page

Categories of material

• Overview: A brief description of what a competent practitioner should be able to do

• Core Learning Resources: Essential information required by regulators for competency

• Training Courses• Further Reading: Useful information for those wishing

to extend their knowledge or specialise• Other Information: Useful information for those

wanting a broader context

Icon set

Article / Information

Case Study

E-learning

Guide

Online Resource

Operational Guidance

Presentation

Report / Publication

Statute

Tool

Training Course

Video

5 Practical application: Sample process

• Appraise your skills and knowledge using the RDNA self-assessment tool

• Consider the report with your line manager• Use GRIP to help you discover what learning resources

are available to achieve your development objectives• Agree the development plan with your line manager• Undertake the activities specified, drawing on the

learning resources in GRIP where appropriate• Capture your thoughts in a learning log

The manager’s role

There are three ways to validate an assessment report:

Use the RDNA tool together with the member of staff to produce the report

Use the RDNA tool in parallel with the member of staff and compare your report with his or hers during the review

Consider the report created by the member of staff prior to the review and note any areas to challenge, support or discuss

6 What they say: Local regulators

“It is a more efficient, targeted way to identify development needs. Officers have found it straightforward and clear.”

Tim Nicholls, Head of Environmental Health, Brighton and Hove Council, 2011

“It is a key tool to support culture change and a more structured and consistent approach to continuous professional development.”

Allan Hampshire, Head of Regulatory Services, Cornwall Council, 2011

Professional bodies

“It will be invaluable in supporting the professional qualification base of those working in the regulatory field, providing clarity on the competence standards required to be demonstrated which will benefit all regulators, their employing authorities and agencies, business and above all the consumers whom we serve.”

Graham Jukes, Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, 2011

Professional bodies

“It provides a clear, shared view of core regulatory skills and the specific knowledge underpinning the specific roles of regulatory officers. It is unique as the only resource which sets out a widely agreed set of core regulatory competences as well as learning resources to support continuous professional development.”

Ron Gainsford, Chief Executive, Trading Standards Institute, 2011

7 Next steps

• RDNA: over 3000 registered users at 330 local authorities (up to the end of 2013)

• GRIP: 4560 site visits and 17,400 page views during 2013

• Approach will continue to be extended to other areas• Continues to be a collaborative project involving all the

key players

8 Any questions?

Further information:

dennis.ager@brdo.bis.gsi.gov.uk

0121 345 1200

lynne.howard@brdo.bis.gsi.gov.uk

0121 345 1200

Competency home page:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/brdo-professional-development-and-culture-change-resources