Professional development

• DCS Leadership Programme
  • Who is the DCS Leadership Programme for?
  • Programme details
  • Benefits
  • Costs
  • Apply
  • Dates and locations
  • Partnership working
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Contact details

DCS Leadership Programme

The DCS Leadership Programme is a new programme for those at the forefront of children's services.

The programme aims to provide the very best leadership development and contextualised learning, leading to effective personal and organisational change for directors of children's services (DCSs). It is the first element of a wider range of opportunities in leadership development for children’s services to be provided by the National College in collaboration with its partners - the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) and the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC).

Key facts

The DCS Leadership Programme:

• recognises the complex challenges and accountability of the DCS role and the wide range of backgrounds, skills and experience that people bring to the role
• covers the many different aspects of leadership required, including leadership of safeguarding and social care, commissioning, leading in political and corporate environments, integrated and partnership working, and raising standards of education
• places significant emphasis on team leadership - supporting the development of high performing teams in local authorities and children's trusts

Duration

12 months

Delivery method

The programme is underpinned by a needs assessment and is personalised to address a range of aspects of the role of the DCS. A range of delivery methods is involved, including executive coaching, peer support, action learning sets, experiential learning and the use of online resources.

Who can apply?

The programme is open to all serving DCSs. It is assumed that all successful applicants will start and complete the programme as serving DCSs.

Next application round

Summer/autumn 2011