Written by:
Ffion Grosvenor,
Lead Practice Director
The Problem
In February 2020 Birmingham’s multi-agency SEND Improvement Programme instigated a recovery project with a challenging deadline, meaning we had a tight timescale to get resources operational. Attempts to source office-based resource proved problematic in terms of:
- Sourcing and interviewing the number of resources required.
- Sourcing and locating laptops (and office space at that time).
Whilst working through options with IT, Birmingham identified that they could recruit remote workers so they started to explore this option with agencies (it is worth highlighting that this was pre-lockdown and MS teams were not in everyday use within the LA).
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The Solution
One of the notable aspects of the collaboration was the meticulous planning and coordination involved in setting daily targets for the officers. Panoramic Associates not only understood our requirements but also actively engaged with Birmingham to align the team’s objectives with their organisational goals. This level of involvement and strategic thinking ensured that the recruited team members were not only qualified but also equipped to contribute effectively to our project.
Panoramic Associates’ proactive approach in contracting team members based on the confirmed daily targets meant that we could seamlessly integrate new personnel without compromising the quality of our operations. This not only saved Birmingham City Council valuable time and resources but also allowed them to focus on other critical aspects of their business, confident in the knowledge that the staffing process was in capable hands.
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The Result
Panoramic Associates not only fulfilled their commitment to provide Birmingham with a ready-to-start team but also demonstrated a commendable level of ongoing support through consistent communication. The resources they brought on board were well-prepared and equipped to commence their roles, aligning seamlessly with the timeline promised during the initial stages of the collaboration.
What truly sets Panoramic Associates apart is their proactive approach to communication. They maintained a steady flow of updates, flagging any concerns or potential issues with the team, which allowed us to address and resolve issues promptly. This level of transparency and responsiveness created a collaborative and effective partnership, ensuring that Panoramic Associates’ partners expectations were continuously met.
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“We have retained a small number of officers to support ongoing service transformation and continue to be very happy with them and the service provided by Panoramic Associates. Panoramic Associates have, to date, made 90 placements at Birmingham County Council.”