Staff using IT

[Guest Spiral]

Is there any way we can help encourage staff to use IT.

 

At present the Deputy Manager will not use IT, but this is a concern as they cannot make referrals, access updates, print out forms, contact our local safeguarding board etc.

 

What happens if the manager leaves and the Deputy has to stand in?

 

Spiral :-I

Edited September 19, 2014 by Spiral

[Guest Nuby]

is it in her job description? if its a lack of confidence get her some training.....

[Inge]

difficult this

It should be included in job description that you need to be able to use It and to what extent/what for.

If she had been in the position for a while it may be harder to sort out but it will need addressing as she is not fulfilling the deputy role set by Ofsted in that she must be suitable to take over in managers absence..

Maybe include it in her professional development and offer training be it in house or via somewhere like local library who often do coursed for what in our describe as 'the terrified' , this would make it a monitored process and could be pointed out that until she is able to do all in the managers absence she is not fulfilling her role..

meantime could you decide to split the role to have two deputy, we had two so when manager was off one took over that role and we still had a deputy in place.. Wage was split for deputy role 2.5 days each a week.and other hours worked were at staff rates.. so they were allocated a day / session when they were deputy or staff. sounds complicated but it worked for us.

[Mouseketeer]

I have started compiling a folder of templates for all the paperwork we use in house .....registers, funding app forms, planning sheets, etc, as I'm sure my deputy would go back to completing all by hand if she actually had to deputise, (after seeing some of the staff type this week using tapestry it might be quicker anyway lol ) not sure what would happen with all electronic paperwork that gets emailed...do you all give your deputies your login details then ? My pc and laptop is locked, and the only access to any of it or any of my log ins is in an envelope to be given to chairperson at the time in case of emergency (not deputy due to confidential info who won't necessarily become manager).

[Foreveryoung]

I train my deputy to be me! As this is what she needs to be when I'm not there (which is rare ha. Ha) so she has access to all records etc I have supplied her with all login details for all relevant things as like I always say to her I'm a workaholic but who knows what's around the corner I could be in an accident one day and be off on long term sick (or worse) so she would need to be able to complete everything. I had a timescale plan in place where over a period of time she had a go at doing each job..... Funding, new registrations etc etc. I did have a deputy who was good but like yours suffered with many things in fulfilling her role one being ict, I put together a list of everything I did daily, weekly, half termly and so on then highlighted with her what we felt she could do if I was off the following week this gave her a really clear insight into what was required for her to fulfil her role and what she needed to improve on or have training for, it was then given either we could set realistic development timescales for her to get to where she needed to be or she could opt for demotion. Everything is turning electronic which wasn't the case a couple of years ago ie funding, training, safeguarding but with this staff development and training needs to be done to cope with the changes, my deputy though after the discussion opted for demotion as she wasn't happy anyway with all the stress and responsibility and all I want is for my staff to be happy as that creates a well balanced team.

[Mouseketeer]

That is very planned ....of course the other problem is what happens to our ratios when the deputy is doing all this and the manager already missing, my deputy/s in all my days have never actually done my work, just taken over the day to day things like registering, seeing children out, running the session etc

 

It's all the info regarding other staff, appraisals etc that I worry about

Edited September 20, 2014 by Mouseketeer

[Foreveryoung]

I'm a very planned person I have contingencies for contingencies ? one of my downfalls ha ha. We are very lucky that we can fit it in around operational hours and also mentoring on the job! She knows where everything is and how to access, this does not mean she does !!! unless called upon to do so in my absence, as inline with confidentiality and on a need to know basis - this is where full trust in your colleagues comes in and again I'm very lucky to have a fantastic staff team. She does the jobs once every so often so as to keep her confidence up with being able to carry the duties out, I would dread to think I went off sick and left her unable to cope. I view it as it's my job to ensure she is fully capable and completely competent in doing my role if ever the need arises. i hope it doesn't but I always like to be prepared as I have before had a serious time where I was unable to do anything and it puts things in perspective of how life can change with a moments notice.

We also have a bank of staff who would obviously stand in to keep all ratios if deputy had to manage.

Edited September 20, 2014 by Rochelle

[Guest Spiral]

I wish it were as simple as that. She was offered the post by a previous committee without my knowledge. I have no job description for her and I am now leaving next week...she can open her own personal emails and find holidays online but has said she refuses to use IT here as its not her job... !

 

That is just how it is -I leave on the 5th as I have had enough :-(

[SueFinanceManager]

I wish it were as simple as that. She was offered the post by a previous committee without my knowledge. I have no job description for her and I am now leaving next week...she can open her own personal emails and find holidays online but has said she refuses to use IT here as its not her job... !

 

That is just how it is -I leave on the 5th as I have had enough :-(

This sounds really harsh but surely the problem will now be the committee that hired her to resolve

 

Sorry to hear you are so down though that you are leaving....hope you can find somewhere that will make you happy

[sunnyday]

This sounds really harsh but surely the problem will now be the committee that hired her to resolve

 

Sorry to hear you are so down though that you are leaving....hope you can find somewhere that will make you happy

I am with Sue on this Spiral - walk away without so much as a backward glance.......

Have you secured another position somewhere?

[Foreveryoung]

What an awful situation I hope you end up somewhere more productive with a committee that will back you! We all need back up from time to time x move on and move up good luck ?

[Guest Spiral]

Thank you,

 

The committee changes every year and I'm therefore unable to get the support I need. Life is too short!

 

I am looking for a job so if anyone knows of a job (as deputy/room leader or practitioner) please let me know!

 

I must admit after so many years in my job I'm looking fwd to moving on and dropping down to be managed, rather than managing!

[SueFinanceManager]

Well keep an eye on our vacancies section here

Which part of the country are you so we can keep our eyes and ears peeled

Sue

[Guest Spiral]

Thank you Sue and to everyone else.

 

I still hope to be on the forum and to remain within early years.

 

It has been very difficult to consider the matter of I.T. After all, the DBS checks and Safeguarding is all done online too....hmmmmm xxxx

[lashes2508]

Oh spiral so sorry to hear that you feel so disheartened that you are leaving your current post. I do hope you find somewhere soon and that fulfills your expectations with the support you need and deserve xx big hug

[Fredbear]

This is the committees problem now not yours.

Sending you warm wishes on whichever path you take. It's so hard being at the helm sometimes isn't it. Maybe a change is just what you need. Fx

[MarshaD]

Good luck Spiral. Onwards and upwards!