2.1 Facilitate the participation of team members in agreeing team objectives

This guide will help you answer 2.1 Facilitate the participation of team members in agreeing team objectives.

Setting clear team objectives helps everyone work towards a shared purpose. When team members are actively involved in agreeing these objectives, they feel a stronger sense of ownership and motivation. Participation also leads to a better understanding of what the team is aiming for and why.

In. this guide, we will cover some of the practical ways you can facilitate team participation in setting objectives within adult social care settings.

Why Does Participation Matter?

When people help set the objectives, they:

• Feel valued for their opinions
• Have a clearer idea of what is expected
• Are more committed to achieving agreed goals
• Can spot obstacles or opportunities that managers may have missed
• Develop problem-solving and teamwork skills

Staff buy-in increases when objectives are co-created, as everyone feels responsible for the outcome.

Preparing for Collaborative Objective-Setting

Before meeting your team, prepare by:

• Reviewing the service’s overall goals and priorities
• Considering recent feedback from staff, service users, and external inspectors
• Gathering information on what has worked well and what needs improvement
• Thinking about organisational requirements, such as regulatory standards or local targets

Set aside enough time for an open discussion. Make sure all voices, including quieter or less experienced staff, will have the chance to contribute.

Creating an Inclusive Environment

To facilitate meaningful participation:

• Arrange meetings at times most people can attend
• Provide the agenda in advance so staff have time to reflect
• Use a comfortable, neutral environment
• Make it clear that everyone’s input is welcome and valued
• Remind the team about the shared purpose—delivering high-quality, person-centred care

If some team members cannot attend in person, offer alternative ways to contribute, such as email, feedback forms, or video meetings.

Techniques for Agreeing Objectives Together

Here are some practical methods to promote active involvement:

Group Brainstorming

• Start by asking the team what they think the priorities should be for the coming period.
• Write all suggestions up where everyone can see them (whiteboard or flipchart).
• Encourage everyone to contribute ideas—no criticism at this stage.
• Afterwards, group similar ideas and discuss how they fit with the service’s aims.

Discussion and Debate

• Allow time for staff to express why they believe certain objectives are important.
• Encourage staff to challenge each other in a respectful way to build a well-rounded set of objectives.

Voting or Ranking

• Once ideas have been shared, use anonymised voting or show-of-hands to select objectives the majority support.
• Alternatively, ask each person to rank their top three priorities and collate the results.

Small Group Work

• Split the team into smaller groups to consider specific objectives or areas of work.
• Bring groups back together to share ideas and agree on main points.
• This approach can give quieter staff more confidence to participate.

Linking Objectives to Values and Vision

• Ask staff to consider how each objective supports the team’s values and vision.
• Reflect on real-life examples from the service that demonstrate the value of working towards such objectives.

Clarifying and Finalising Objectives

Once the team has identified preferred objectives:

• Make sure they are clear, specific, and achievable—that is, SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
• Check that objectives reflect both organisational goals and the needs of individuals using the service.
• Summarise agreed objectives in plain language and check everyone understands them.
• Give staff a chance to raise final questions or concerns.

Record the final agreed objectives and share them with the whole team.

Encouraging Reflection and Buy-In

After objectives are agreed:

• Ask each team member how they feel about the objectives and if they have any worries.
• Invite suggestions for how everyone can contribute to meeting each objective.
• Recognise contributions and thank staff for their involvement.
• Highlight how their input shaped the objectives.

When people see that their ideas directly influence what the team will focus on, they are more engaged and proactive.

Reviewing and Adjusting as Needed

Participation is not a one-off event. Regularly review objectives together:

• Schedule periodic meetings to check progress and discuss any barriers or new challenges.
• Give updates on achievements and highlight examples of team members contributing to the objectives.
• Adjust objectives with team input when circumstances change or targets are met.
• Use lessons learned to shape future objective-setting sessions.

Continuous participation builds a culture of shared responsibility and improvement.

Example in Practice

A manager in a home care service wanted to improve communication between field staff and the office. She organised a meeting where all team members could share their experiences and suggestions. Staff brainstormed issues and voted for the top three areas to change. Together, they set a new objective for introducing a shared digital records system. The team agreed on steps and who would be involved. Regular check-ins ensured everyone had a voice as the project moved forward.

Final Thoughts

Facilitating participation in setting team objectives means actively involving your team at every stage. Use a mix of approaches to suit different people and encourage open communication. Be clear, respect all contributions, and focus on shared goals and values.

This approach leads to stronger commitment, a more motivated team, and higher-quality care for the people who rely on your service.