[BCM] [HH] [E2] [C6] BCM Plan Development

Chapter 6

As part of the BCM Planning Methodology for the HopeHouse

For HopeHouse, a community-based residential care organisation serving at-risk youths in Singapore, this phase transforms strategic intentions into a detailed, practical, and compassionate roadmap for continuity during crises.

The process of developing the BCM Plan for HopeHouse follows a structured and participatory approach that ensures ownership, relevance, and alignment with the organisation’s core mission of rehabilitative care and personal transformation.

Determination of the Organisation of the BC Plan Document

This first stage sets the framework for how the BCM Plan is structured across HopeHouse’s functional and operational areas. It involves two key components:

Designing and Developing the BC Plan Template

A standardised BCM Plan template is created, tailored to the operational realities of HopeHouse. This includes sections such as:

• Emergency Contact Directory (inclusive of caregivers, social workers, and relevant government agencies).
• Activation and Escalation Procedures for crises (e.g., fire, staff shortages, pandemic outbreaks).
• Recovery procedures for critical business functions and services like residential care, case management, and vocational training support.
• Vital Records and Resource Inventory for youth residents and regulatory reporting.

Determining the Recovery Organisation

A clear recovery team structure is outlined for each functional unit (e.g., Administration, Programmes, Residential Services). Key roles, such as the Incident Manager, Unit Recovery Coordinators, and Communications Lead, are assigned.

These roles ensure that responsibilities are defined for immediate response and staged recovery, including prioritising resident safety, communicating with families, and maintaining the continuity of structured programmes.

Conducting a BC Plan Writing Workshop to Guide Plan Writers

HopeHouse ensures the involvement of key personnel by hosting interactive BCM Plan writing workshops for all designated Business Unit (BU) BCM Coordinators.

These workshops serve to:

Build Familiarity with the Plan Template

Participants are trained on how to complete the template accurately, with contextual examples tailored to HopeHouse’s operations (e.g., response scenarios for medical emergencies among youth, managing a facility lockdown, or continuity of volunteer programmes).

Enable Structured Input and Collaboration

During the workshop, BU Coordinators from Residential Services, Education, Admin/HR, and Outreach draft their unit-specific plans, guided by facilitators and BCM subject matter experts.

Discussions encourage alignment across departments, particularly where interdependencies exist (e.g., IT support for online learning and counselling).

Finalisation of the BC Plan Production

Once the individual unit plans are drafted, the finalisation process ensures their consistency, accuracy, and effectiveness:

Validation by BU BCM Coordinators and Heads of Business Units

Each plan is reviewed jointly by the Coordinator and the respective Unit Head. Validation focuses on:

• Completeness of critical recovery procedures.
• Accuracy of roles, responsibilities, and contact information.
• Coverage of key risk scenarios identified during earlier risk analysis.

Incorporating Organisational Approval and Sign-off

The consolidated BCM Plan is reviewed by HopeHouse’s BCM Steering Committee and endorsed by senior leadership.

This reinforces the importance of continuity planning as a shared organisational responsibility and integrates BCM into HopeHouse’s wider governance structure.

Summing Up ...

The BCM Plan Development Phase at HopeHouse is more than a documentation exercise; it serves as a platform for deepening preparedness, reinforcing accountability, and nurturing resilience within a compassionate care environment.

Through structured workshops, tailored templates, and collaborative validation, HopeHouse equips its team with the tools needed to safeguard its mission even in times of disruption.

The result is a BCM Plan that reflects not only operational readiness but also the organisation’s unwavering commitment to the youth it serves.

Continuity with Compassion: Implementing BCM at HopeHouse
eBook 2: Implementing BCM Planning Methodology

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