Leadership and management: Aspiring Leaders
Why is the Skills Academy focusing on Aspiring Leaders?
Those of us working in social care are well aware of its importance to individuals, families and wider society. There is no question that the sector is moving into a challenging period, and for social care professionals and users developing the right leadership will be critical. The Aspiring Leaders programme is an important part of the Skills Academy’s contribution to developing the sector leaders of the future.
We believe that social care sector deserves strong leaders at every level, and the Aspiring Leaders programme will aim to help those who would like to reach senior management and director level to do so with the best possible training and provision.
The people this programme is designed for are those with some experience managing and leading teams, already at a relatively senior level, but who exhibit the potential to go further. Our aim is for the Skills Academy’s programme to become the recognised route to excellent high-level leadership in the sector for managers from all backgrounds.
The programme is designed to develop:
- Your leadership potential as a social care professional at a key stage in your career
- Your capabilities to lead in a complex and changing environment
- Your impact on, and value to both your employing organisation and your service users
- Your contribution to the wider community of practice across the sector
Our aim is for the Skills Academy’s programme to become the recognised route to excellent high-level leadership in the sector.
What will participants achieve?
The Aspiring Leaders programme will provide participants with a structured learning journey which participants can help shape as the programme develops. We will invite participants to hone their personal and professional skills in order to discover and develop their own authentic leadership style – one that works best for them, the organisation and service users.
With their commitment, they will be encouraged to:
- Explore and experience, with peers and tutors, their leadership effectiveness
- Fulfil their personal development needs through guided learning, action and reflection
- Meet the challenges of leadership, reform and transformation within social care
- Develop the ability to evaluate leadership and change strategies
- Maximise opportunities for performance improvement in themselves and others
- Improve their ability to develop high performance relationships, teams and partnerships
- Track the impact of the programme both during and after the modules
- Build a learning community with your colleagues from across the sector
What will be the impact of the programme?
The programme is designed to impact at four levels:
- FOR THE INDIVIDUAL – to enhance leadership and management skills
- FOR THE ORGANISATION – to develop best-practice solutions to opportunities and challenges in a context of change
- FOR USERS – to creatively engage them in improving the quality of service delivery
- FOR THE SECTOR – to support the development and influence of leaders across and beyond the sector.
Who will deliver the Aspiring Leaders programme?
The programme is delivered by Ashridge Business School. Ashridge is one of the top UK business schools. It brings wide experience and research into the leadership of public services. The programme tutor team have experience of providing high-quality design, development and delivery with a wide range of organisations, including within the care sector. The Programme will be held at Ashridge, in Hertfordshire.
You can read more at www.ashridge.org.uk
Fees
For the first year of this new programme the Skills Academy will match the employer’s investment in participants by supporting 50% of the costs. The full cost of the programme is £4,950, including all teaching, accommodation, refreshments, meals and programme materials. However, the first three intakes will only pay £2,475.
How to apply
The programme is now open for applications to the first intake which will begin in November 2010. Two further intakes will follow in January and May 2011.
Participants in the Aspiring Leaders Programme will need to positively answer a number of questions:
- Am I working in a management role within a social care setting whether in the public, private or third sectors; or in a user-led setting?
- Do I have current experience of carrying out a management role with responsibility for the work of others, the use of resources and impact on a number of service users?
- Am I looking to make an even bigger contribution to my organisation and to shape the social care sector of the future?
- Am I committed to investing my time and energy in a challenging programme?
- Will my organisation actively support me in taking part in the programme?
How you can find out more
Please email for more information: