Meetings – self review

When they occur meetings need to be efficiently managed so that they are orientated towards solutions rather than to the attribution of blame.

How do your meetings match up?

• Are parents aware of the purpose of the meeting?
• If it is a formal meeting such as an annual review, are the parents provided, prior to the meeting, with copies of any of the documents that the others will have had?
• Are parents informed in advance about who will be attending and why?
• Are flexible times and venues arranged for the meeting to take into account the needs of the parents?
• Are all the people who need to be at the meeting included?
• Are staff going to be at the meeting who do not really need to be there?
• Have you informed the parents that they may bring a friend or supporter to the meeting?
• Have you arranged for the meeting to take place in comfortable surroundings with a table so people can place their papers?
• Is seating physically arranged so that all will be equal?
• Are all the chairs the same size?
• Are parents offered the opportunity to speak first?
• Are staff welcoming and approachable before and during the meeting?
• How are the parents reassured that decisions have not already been made or that the discussion started before they arrived?
• Are parents encouraged to contribute as the meeting progresses as well as having a slot of their own?
• Is what has been said summarised regularly throughout the meeting?
• Where agreement cannot be reached are the parents views recorded?
• Are targets agreed upon and dates set for specific actions and any further meeting?
• Are notes of the meeting sent out promptly?