Upon: aspirant directors programme
- For
- Assistant directors, strategic social workers
- Duration
- 7 months
- Time commitment
- About 10 days
- Cost
-
Free except for travel for residentials and optional accreditation
- Delivered by
-
The Staff College, The Institute of Public Care, Skills for Care and GatenbySanderson
Who it’s for
The upon: aspirant directors programme is for leaders who aim to become directors of children’s services (DCS) in the next 3 years.
You should have at least 3 years’ senior leadership and management experience in local government children’s services (equivalent to tier 2 or 3) or related sectors.
What you’ll learn
This programme will help you to fully understand the DCS role and equip you with the mindset, tools and confidence to succeed. It covers themes including:
- building alliances and partnerships
- working in political and corporate contexts
- engaging communities
- driving innovation and change
What you’ll get
You’ll get:
- career advice and support and become part of a national peer network during the programme and beyond
- ongoing access to our learning resources including guides, videos and blogs from successful leaders
- the option to gain formal academic accreditation and earn the Developing as a leader award, worth 20 credit points at postgraduate level
How it’s delivered
The programme has 8 taught days spread across 7 months and takes place online and in-person.
There are 2 residentials in Birmingham. The first residential is 2 days and the second is 1.5 days.
You’ll also take part in:
- action learning to practise resolving workplace issues in a peer group setting
- leadership challenge activities where you’ll apply your new learnings to real workplace issues and reflect on what’s worked for you
- learning visits where you’ll follow and observe leaders in other local authorities
Funding
The upon: aspirant directors programme is funded by the Department for Education.
Accommodation and meals for the on-site days are included, but your employer will need to cover the travel costs.
There is also a fee for the optional accreditation at the end of the programme.
Next steps
Speak to your line manager to get support for you doing the upon: aspirant directors programme.
Find out more about the upon: aspirant directors programme on the upon website.