Leadership and management: Front-line Leaders
Why is the Skills Academy focusing on Front-line Leaders?
Leadership behaviour is for everyone in social care. Employers have told us that there needs to be more support available to develop the leadership of their first-time managers. Our solution is the “Front-line Leaders programme” designed to engage social care employers and their front-line managers.
The benefits of the programme:
- First-time managers will become familiar with the language and values of leadership early on
- Participants will have a positive sense of leadership, more ownership of their role, and better understanding of the impact they have on those they work with
- Greater job satisfaction through feeling supported
- Strong front-line leadership will lead to better care delivery
- Supporting front-line staff will help them in their future career progression and development
What has the Front-line Leaders programme achieved so far?
Several organisations from across the sector have participated in the first wave of Front-line Leaders this summer. They are the Anchor Trust, Macintyre, Abbeyfield, Care South, St Anne’s and Hendra House. The programme was developed by the Skills Academy in conjunction with Sheffield Hallam Business School, leaders in producing bespoke, person-centred management training courses. It is delivered in sets of learning days with emphasis placed on self-reflection and work-based learning.
A total of 60 individuals have participated, and we have received great feedback:
"It has already started to make a difference in how I feel. I am actually starting to believe in my own abilities rather than being told I am good at what I do."
"I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the first two days of the leadership course last week. It is so refreshing to be on a course that is relevant and very focused on what we do specifically as senior staff. It is also great to be with others who are willing to share ideas and learn from each other."
What is the Front-line Leaders programme doing right now?
The first wave of the Front-line Leaders programme is nearing completion.
What is the next step for Front-line Leaders?
The Skills Academy will evaluate the pilot activity, and then expect to roll out the programme, through a number of delivery partners, for a launch in January 2011. All delivery partners will be Skills Academy endorsed and receive full training and development with Sheffield Hallam to ensure the course is delivered to a consistently high level.
Applications for delivery partners will open in October 2010, with a series of information events for training providers that month.
From January 2011 employers will be able to purchase the Front-line Leaders programme for their staff. In November the Skills Academy will host a series of events to tell employers about the programme.
Further details of events for training providers and employers will be available soon.
How can you get involved in the Front-line Leaders programme?
If your organisation would be interested in delivering the Front-line Leaders programme please register your interest by emailing Craig Crowther
Or, if you think people in your organisation would benefit from participating in the programme, please keep checking this website for updates, and register your interest by email