The group agreed in principle to recommend spot checks by OtB in future.  There were some questions about how the check would be done, whether explicit permission from the co-ordinator and trainee would be needed and how the check would be done. 

The group also approved in principle the idea of peer reviews, but wondered if this would be effective if done online or remotely.  Would co-ordinators be tempted to be kind, rather than challenging?  One co-ordinator suggested doing this through the regional network but most then agreed it would be better to connect outside the region, especially to comparator authorities.  Most co-ordinators thought that they would not have the time to do this kind of task.

In a suggestion following the course, an alternative method was proposed.  This was that regional meetings be held by OTB where co-ordinators brought specific work from trainees and supervisors, and checked standards and differing approaches.  This would also help to promote peer assessment.

On balance, Opening the Book favoured this last method, whilst retaining the right to do spot checks if circumstances make that necessary, and will email round all co-ordinators to ask for their opinions.

Practical suggestions for maintaining the quality of learning

• That best practice learning logs could be posted online as a handy reference for co-ordinators and supervisors alike.
• That results and findings in different authorities can be shared between them to strengthen the validity of the training and the message to management
• That co-ordinators investigate individual libraries where more than a third of staff have gone through make a comparison to see if issues have improved, or if any other impact can be detected to which Frontline has contributed.