Code of Conduct Scenario Based Training

In a diverse workforce of experience, skills, and backgrounds, learning in large groups can be a challenge. Traditional learning techniques are not as effective with participants that do not work in traditional clerical/administration roles, have English as their second language or experience other difficulties or barriers to learning. Scenario based training circumnavigates this with the use of stories and real-life examples where participants can discuss in small groups lead by a group ‘table champion’. Stories and conversations are the vehicles where humans have passed information down through generations, long before the majority of the world was literate. This interactive code of conduct training uses examples of conduct breach as a base for group work. Appropriate for a mix of both outdoor and indoor workers, groups share knowledge, expertise and perspective on each task to create a solution for challenge. Using policy, experience and a variety of collaborative methods the groups will then demonstrate their solution and code of conduct competence.

Course outline

This training course has been designed for large scale delivery. The group is divided into teams of 10 preferably from different directorates in council with a spread of outdoor and admin workers. Each team will sit together throughout the day to participate in the workshop together. No specific skills are required in each team, just a broad mix of council staff to enable discussion and debate.

In consultation with council, we develop a number of scenarios based on the areas of The Code that council would like to specifically focus on (time depending). Throughout the day we walk through the Code of Conduct with the whole group, and use the scenarios to get the ‘teams’ to talk through and discuss the examples in relation to the Code of Conduct. The group needs to discuss the elements that are present within each scenario, to uncover where the friction lies and what the appropriate solution or course of action would be.

For every group of 10 participants, council needs to provide a suitable staff member or manager that will be the ‘team leaders’. These team leaders need to have an understanding of the Code and will be briefed the day before the course in the art of guiding questions, facilitating conversation, how to retain engagement and a positive environment. The team leader role will ensure there is healthy discussions and guide participants towards the learning outcome and work through a provided worksheet so that they fully understand the implication of each scenario and guide staff to the appropriate response. For each learning block, scenarios are presented as a story, using real life examples for authenticity. These stories are often real-life examples that have happened previously in councils.  

Each scenario takes between 30 and 45 minutes to work through, so the number of scenarios able to be covered will depend on the length of training (either half or full day). Most areas of the Code (non-process orientated) can be selected if a full day of training is appropriate, or a selection of the Code can be delivered for indoor or outdoor workers depending on the audience. Hence each training session can be tailored to suit council’s requirements.

Click here to view Code of Conduct brochure