Pathway 3: heads of service
- For
- Heads of service, service managers, principal social workers, operational managers, strategic leads
- Duration
- 12 months
- Time commitment
- 88 hours (the equivalent of 11 days)
- Cost
-
Free except for travel for in-person modules
- Delivered by
Who it’s for
Pathway 3 is for heads of service or service managers in local authorities who are responsible for the performance of a service area.
Experienced middle or team managers who want to become heads of service can also do Pathway 3.
What you’ll learn
Completing Pathway 3 will help you:
- set and communicate an ambitious and inspiring vision for your service
- put anti-racism and inclusion at the heart of your strategy
- use adaptive leadership to manage uncertainty
- problem-solve specific issues and challenges
- influence political and corporate decisions
- lead change and manage improvement at a service-wide level
- lead strategic relationships with multi-agency partners
What you’ll get
When you finish Pathway 3 you’ll get:
- a certificate which can contribute towards your continuous professional development (CPD) hours
- access to Frontline's network of leaders
It'll help prepare:
- current heads of service to access Pathway 4 for practice leaders
- aspiring heads of service for promotion to head of service roles
How it’s delivered
Timescales
Pathway 3:
- lasts for 12 months
- takes about 88 hours to complete
- runs once a year starting in November
In-person learning
There are 4 days on site at the University of Warwick run as separate 2-day residentials.
Sessions are run by social work leaders and leadership development experts and include:
- keynote talks
- discussion time
- practical workshops
- time to build relationships with peers
There is also a day visit to an innovative social work practice, either in another local authority or organisation like a charity.
Online learning
Includes:
- live interactive workshops run by sector experts
- one-to-one coaching with a dedicated development coach
- peer-led practice groups
- self-directed study sessions with a mix of reading, videos and reflection
You'll do about 38 hours of online learning. Each session lasts 1.5 to 3 hours.
Funding
Pathway 3 is funded by the Department for Education.
Accommodation and meals for the on-site days are included, but your employer will need to cover travel costs.
Next steps
Applications for Pathway 3 are currently closed.
We'll update this page when applications open.