Welsh Baccalaureate (Welsh Bacc) Community Challenge Syllabus

Why should objectives be 'Measurable'?

So you can clearly tell whether they have been achieved and assess the success and impact of the project using evidence.

Give an example of a SMART objective for a community litter-pick.

'To collect at least 20 bags of litter from Cardiff Bay foreshore with a team of 10 volunteers in a single 3-hour session on 14 March.' It is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.

What is an action plan?

A detailed document that sets out the tasks, who is responsible, the resources needed, deadlines and the order of activities required to achieve the project's aims and objectives.

List four key components that should appear in a community action plan.

Tasks/activities, person responsible for each task, resources needed, and deadlines/timescales (often with milestones and a contingency).

What is a contingency plan and why include one in an action plan?

A backup plan for what to do if something goes wrong (e.g. bad weather or a cancellation); it ensures the project can still proceed or be adapted, reducing risk of failure.

What is a milestone in an action plan?

A significant checkpoint or target date marking the completion of an important stage, used to track progress against the timeline.

What is a risk assessment?

A systematic process of identifying hazards, evaluating who might be harmed and how, and deciding on control measures to reduce the risk before an activity takes place.

Define 'hazard' and 'risk' in health and safety terms.

A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm (e.g. wet floor); a risk is the likelihood that the hazard will actually cause harm combined with how serious that harm could be.

List the five steps of a risk assessment (HSE model).

1) Identify the hazards, 2) Decide who might be harmed and how, 3) Evaluate the risks and decide on control measures, 4) Record your findings and implement them, 5) Review and update the assessment.

How is a risk rating commonly calculated in a risk assessment?

By multiplying likelihood by severity: $\text{Risk} = \text{Likelihood} \times \text{Severity}$, with each scored on a scale (e.g. $1$ to $5$).

If likelihood is rated 4 and severity 3 on a 5-point scale, what is the risk rating?

$\text{Risk} = 4 \times 3 = 12$, indicating a medium-to-high risk that needs control measures.

What is a 'control measure' in a risk assessment?

An action taken to remove a hazard or reduce its risk, such as providing protective equipment, supervision, training, signage or barriers.

What is the hierarchy of control for managing risks (from most to least effective)?

Eliminate, substitute, engineering controls, administrative controls (procedures/training), and personal protective equipment (PPE) as the last resort.

Why is it important to gain permissions before carrying out a community activity?

To act legally and safely, respect property and people's rights, ensure cooperation, and meet safeguarding and insurance requirements (e.g. permission to use a venue or photograph participants).

Give three examples of permissions you might need for a community project.

Permission to use a venue or land, consent to take/use photographs (data protection), and authorisation from the council or landowner; possibly DBS checks when working with children or vulnerable people.

What is a DBS check and when is it needed in community work?

A Disclosure and Barring Service check screens a person's criminal record; it is needed when working closely with children or vulnerable adults to ensure safeguarding.

What does working 'in partnership' mean for a community project?

Cooperating with other people or organisations who share an interest in the project, pooling resources, skills and support to achieve shared goals more effectively.

Give two benefits of working with partners on a community challenge.

Access to extra resources, funding, expertise or contacts, and a wider reach/credibility that increases the project's impact.

What is teamwork?

People working together cooperatively, combining their skills and effort towards a shared goal, with good communication and shared responsibility.

Name three common challenges teams face during a community project.

Disagreements/conflict between members, poor communication, and unequal sharing of workload; others include time pressures and lack of resources.

Give two strategies for overcoming challenges within a team.

Clear communication and assigning defined roles/responsibilities, and resolving conflict through compromise, listening and shared decision-making.

What is a Gantt chart and how is it useful for a community project?

A bar chart showing tasks against a timeline; it helps plan, schedule and track which activities happen when and how they overlap, keeping the project on time.

What does it mean to 'measure the impact' of a community activity?

To assess the difference the activity made to the community by gathering evidence against the original aims and objectives, e.g. through feedback, data, before-and-after comparisons and photographs.

Give three ways to gather evidence of a project's impact.

Feedback questionnaires/surveys, before-and-after photographs or data, and testimonials/interviews from participants or beneficiaries.

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative evidence of impact?

Quantitative evidence is numerical (e.g. number of people helped, bags of litter collected); qualitative evidence is descriptive (e.g. comments, opinions and feelings expressed in feedback).

What is meant by reflecting on your personal contribution?

Honestly evaluating what you personally did, the skills you used, how well you performed, what went well, what could be improved, and what you learned from the experience.

Name four key skills a learner might develop and reflect on during a Community Challenge.

Communication, teamwork/collaboration, planning and organisation, and problem-solving (others include leadership and creativity).

What is a SWOT analysis and how can it support reflection or planning?

An evaluation of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats; it helps a learner assess their own or the project's performance and plan improvements.

In reflection, what is the value of identifying 'areas for improvement'?

It shows self-awareness and a willingness to learn, demonstrates how skills could be developed further, and informs how future projects could be done better.

What is the typical overall process/sequence of a Community Challenge from start to finish?

Identify a community need, set aims and SMART objectives, produce an action plan and risk assessment, gain permissions and engage partners/stakeholders, carry out the activity as a team, measure the impact, and reflect on contribution and skills.