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Future Directors Programme FAQs

 Frequently asked questions

1. I’m not sure that the Future Directors Programme is for me. Who can advise me?

2. Is the programme specifically targeted for people working in Local Government?

3. Is there a cost for participating in this programme?

4. What does the application process entail?

5. What is the deadline for the application submission?

6. What is the deadline for the sponsor form submission?

7. How ICT literate do I need to be to participate in the programme?

8. What are the criteria? How will applications be assessed?

9. How many sponsors do I need to support my application and who can they be?

10. What happens after completing the online application form?

11. How many spaces are available and how will these be allocated?

12. When is the programme scheduled to run?

13. Where will the programme be run? Will they be in different locations?

14. What if my application is not successful?

15. What are the responsibilities of the participant?

16. What are the learning objectives for the programme?

17. Do I have to prepare anything or do any work between each residential?

18. Where can I get technical support?

19. Is the programme accredited? Does it count towards a qualification?

20. What is the benefit to my organisation if I attend this programme?

21. What happens if I change jobs during the programme, or my responsibilities change?

22 What happens if I can’t attend all the programme events?

23. Who else will be attending the programme?

24. What support is available throughout the programme?


1. I’m not sure that the Future Directors Programme is for me. Who can advise me?

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their application with the person most likely to act as sponsor, who will be able to assist them to make an informed decision. The Future Directors Programme is one of a number of learning opportunities available for leaders in the public sector and individuals are encouraged to consider which programme could best meet their needs at this point in time.

2. Is the programme specifically targeted for people working in Local Government?

The Future Directors Programme, which is part of the ‘Leadership for Change’ suite of programmes, is an ongoing collaboration between the Staff College and Public Health England. The programme has evolved from other senior leadership programmes offered to aspiring directors across the public sector and provides an opportunity for senior officers who aspire to director level roles in the public sector to jointly prepare for the next phase of their careers and learn from each other.

Applications are welcomed from individuals who work at 2nd tier or equivalent roles and come from, but are not limited to, the following disciplines:

  • Public Health
  • Children, Young People and Family Services
  • Adult Services
  • CCGs
  • Commissioning
  • Education professionals
  • Other Local Authority disciplines such as Housing, Community Services etc.
  • Voluntary and Community Sector (where there is direct involvement in the provision of public services)
  • Private Sector (where there is direct involvement in the provision of public services)
  • Housing Associations

Priority will be given to applications from individuals who are able to demonstrate their aspiration and readiness to step up to a director level role in Public Health and Children, Young People and Family Services, as well as 2nd tier officers with extended remits (i.e. people services roles). N.B. there will be a number of places available on this cohort for senior leaders from other disciplines (stated above).

3. Is there a cost for participating in this programme? 

Places for aspiring Directors of Public Health will be fully subsidised by Public Health/Department of Health. The cost for those participants not from Public Health is £1500 + VAT per participant. (Please refer to Eligibility Criteria)

4. What does the application process entail?

a) Sponsor conversation

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their intention to apply to the programme with a potential sponsor who should be a senior colleague, usually a line manager, who knows the applicant well and is fully aware of their experience and expertise. It is recommended that the sponsor should normally be a Director or Chief Officer within your field of expertise.

Applicants and potential sponsors should be aware of what is involved, both when applying and during the programme itself. The sponsor will provide the initial support to potential applicants, helping them understand whether the programme can meet their development needs. They will also need to become familiar with the applicant’s current development and learning needs and be prepared to support them through the programme. Sponsor Guidance can be downloaded here.

b) Application form

Once individuals have made the decision to apply for the programme, the applicant and the sponsor will need to complete the online application form and the sponsor nomination form, both of which can be found at www.leadershipforchange.org.uk. The application requires the applicant to answer three questions, which will demonstrate their suitability for the programme, their commitment to professional development and their future aspirations.

c) Sponsor nomination form

The applicant will provide details of their nominated sponsor in their online application form. An email will be sent to the sponsor with a link to complete an online form. The questions asked in the form will be provided in the initial email for sponsors to reflect on before completing the online form.

following questions will be asked in the sponsor nomination form:

  • Why is the person in this nomination ready for further development through the Future Directors Programme?
  • What do you see as the main strengths of the applicant, in terms of the requirements for a Director post in public services? It may be helpful to reference your response to one of the competency frameworks below in order to highlight key areas of knowledge, skills, attitudes and achievements etc. and also the emerging system leadership capabilities outlined in the ‘Leadership for Change’ research report.
  • Are there any additional areas that this sponsor nomination form has not identified, which you think may be helpful to the assessors in assessing the applicant’s suitability for the Programme?

The role of the sponsor is critical throughout the programme. You will be asked to provide ongoing support to those whom you sponsor throughout the duration of the programme, acting as both a mentor and critical friend and providing practical support as well as professional challenge to enhance their learning. In completing this form, you may find it helpful to consider the descriptions of the sort of competencies required for these roles. Examples of these from various health, social care and system leadership perspectives can be found at:

In submitting this form, the sponsor is confirming that they are prepared to support the applicant in their initial application and throughout the programme. Sponsors will receive an online notice that the form has been completed successfully and that their part of the process is complete. Sponsor Guidance can be downloaded here.

d) Independent review of application forms

All application forms will be considered by independent assessors, who are trained to ensure consistency and fairness in vetting applications. The assessors will be considering the evidence presented in the application form. The information provided on the Sponsor Form may be taken into account by assessors when making their decision. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of this assessment in the timeframe outlined in the Programme flyer. All applications will be anonymised prior to assessment.

Those individuals, who are deemed through the assessment process to have development needs that cannot be met by the programme, will receive constructive feedback and will be signposted to other development opportunities to support their future professional growth.

If applicants feel that they have grounds for appeal against a decision they submit their appeal in writing within five days of the date of the email advising them of the assessment panel’s decision. Full details of the appeals process, including grounds for appeal, can be found on here. An Appeals Form can be downloaded here

e) Participants identified

If applicants are successful in this process, they will be awarded a place on the programme. Successful applicants will then be expected to attend a Development Centre on 23rd February, designed to help them establish their learning objectives for the programme, two residential seminars and an End of Programme seminar.

The application round for places on cohort 4 of the programme is now closed. If you would like to expression an interest for future cohorts of the programme please e-mail futuredirectors@leadershipforchange.org.uk.

5. What is the deadline for the application submission?

The application round for places on cohort 4 of the programme is now closed. If you would like to expression an interest for future cohorts of the programme please e-mail futuredirectors@leadershipforchange.org.uk

If you have any queries or wish to register your interest for future cohorts please contact: futuredirectors@leadershipforchange.org.uk

6. What is the deadline for the sponsor form submission?

The application round for places on cohort 4 of the programme is now closed. If you would like to expression an interest for future cohorts of the programme please e-mail futuredirectors@leadershipforchange.org.uk

7. How ICT literate do I need to be to participate in the programme?

An ability to use basic internet based software is required. Whilst participating in the Future Directors Programme, participants will be enrolled as a registered user of the Leadership for Change website and be expected to log into their account in order to gain access to online tools and guidance.

Technical advice, if required, is available from: futuredirectors@leadershipforchange.org.uk or contact one of the Staff College team on 0115 748 4126. 

8. What are the criteria? How will applications be assessed?

The programme is intended for those who:

  1. Are interested and able to step up to a director level role in the next 1 – 3 years,
  2. Are committed to continued professional development and the ongoing review of their professional skills and competences,
  3. Are committed to deepening personal learning about leadership and making behavioural changes that impact positively on those around them,
  4. Will actively share learning from the programme with colleagues through their leadership approach,
  5. Are applicants from Public Health, with a requirement that they be registered with the General Medical Council or other regulatory body (where appropriate),
  6. Are applicants from Children’s Services, who will be required to demonstrate significant experience and expertise in the field.
  7. Are applicants from the Public or Private sector, who can demonstrate significant experience and expertise in your field.

Participants will be asked to confirm they meet these eligibility criteria during the application process.

Programme participants will be highly committed, with the ability to dedicate the time to complete the programme in full, and will require sponsorship from their Director, who is likely to be their line manager or another appropriate senior colleague.

Those who feel they meet these criteria will be required to commit the time to complete the programme in full (10 days overall, over approximately 6 months). Non-attendance of seminars may mean participants will have to withdraw from the programme.  

9. How many sponsors do I need to support my application and who can they be?

You will need only one sponsor. It is expected that a sponsor will either be the applicant’s line manager or another appropriate senior colleague, who can provide the required information in the sponsor nomination form. Participants should nominate a sponsor who is a Director or Chief Officer within their field of expertise to provide the appropriate support, challenge and work-based experiences. Nobody should be deterred from applying because they are finding it difficult to identify an appropriate sponsor. Assistance will be provided should the need arise. Enquires should be sent to futuredirectors@leadershipforchange.org.uk.  

The sponsor will act as both a mentor and a critical friend, providing practical support as well as professional challenge. The role will commence with the application process and continue for the duration of the programme.

10. What happens after completing the online application form?

Once the online application has been completed it will be assessed in order to determine the applicant’s suitability for the programme.  Applicants will be offered a place on the programme on the basis of their application form and the information provided on the Sponsor Form may also be taken into account by assessors when making their decision. Successful applicants will be invited to attend a Development Centre, on 23rd February in Nottingham, designed to help them establish their learning objectives for the programme.

11. How many spaces are available and how will these be allocated?

There will be 36 places on Cohort 4.

12. When is the programme scheduled to run?

The programme will run from February 2016 to July 2017.

13. Where will the programme be run? Will they be in different locations?

The programme will be run at venues in Nottingham, Birmingham, Leeds and London.

14. What if my application is not successful?

Those individuals, who are deemed through the assessment process to have development needs that cannot be met by the programme, will receive constructive feedback and will be signposted to other development opportunities to support their future professional growth.

If applicants feel that they have grounds for appeal against a decision they must lodge an appeal in writing within five days of being notified of the decision. Full details of the appeals process, including grounds for appeal, can be found on here. An Appeals Form can be downloaded here.

15. What are the responsibilities of the participant?

By applying to join the programme applicants are confirming that they meet the published eligibility criteria.

Successful applicants are expected to:

  • complete the programme in full (10 days over approximately 8 months),
  • work on their individual learning objectives agreed at the start of the programme,
  • contribute to peer learning experiences for the duration of the programme,
  • actively participate in scheduled group activities,
  • attend both of the residential seminars and End of Programme seminar,
  • attend the one day Leadership Workshop
  • make best use of the available time of the sponsor to support their development,
  • produce a presentation on a work based Learning Challenge,
  • undertake a mid-point review and attend a scheduled end of programme review,
  • be prepared to reflect on their practice as a manager,
  • be positive about their potential as a leader to bring about change,
  • participate in a minimum of 3 telephone conversations with their learning coordinator,
  • participate in a 360 assessment at the beginning and end of the programme to assess the impact programme on their leadership skills and help gauge their readiness for a director-level role.

16. What are the learning objectives for the programme?

The programme content is shaped by the participants to meet their agreed learning needs. The learning objectives will therefore be agreed by participants at the start of the programme.

The programme will introduce participants to current thinking about leadership in the public sector, including:

  • adaptive leadership,
  • the new relationship beteen the citizen and state,
  • the importance of a ‘public value proposition’, and
  • systems thinking.

The programme will combine theory and practice, and culminate with an exercise in scenario planning designed to help participants to plan for a complex and uncertain future.

17. Do I have to prepare anything or do any work between each residential?

Participants will be asked to identify a ‘wicked issue’ that they are currently facing in their place of work. They will need to invest some additional time to this, with the support of their learning coordinator. This will culminate in a presentation at the End of Programme Seminar. During the Development Centre participants will be asked to complete a 360 degree systems leadership attributes survey.

18. Where can I get technical support?

Technical advice, if required, is available from: futuredirectors@leadershipforchange.org.uk or by telephoning one of the Staff College team on 0115 748 4126.

19. Is the programme accredited? Does it count towards a qualification?

The programme is not accredited. It is a personal development programme, based on a bespoke leadership qualities framework.

20. What is the benefit to my organisation if I attend this programme?

Public services, and people involved in their provision, are facing unprecedented challenges. Roles are becoming more wide-ranging, and people working in senior positions are increasingly finding themselves responsible for services outside their historical area of expertise. At the same time, there is increasing fluidity between the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, as integrated delivery becomes more established and new alliances take shape.

The Future Directors Programme aims to equip people, whatever their background and discipline, to flourish in this new environment. The Programme brings together people at assistant director or equivalent level from across a range of services, seeking to provide a unique opportunity for participants to develop their knowledge, skills and experience so that they can step up to more senior positions with confidence in their leadership abilities.

21. What happens if I change jobs during the programme, or my responsibilities change?

The expectation is that once participants have enrolled on the programme, they will be expected to complete it, even if their role changes. In very rare circumstances it may be possible to defer a place or withdraw from the programme.

22. What happens if I can’t attend all the programme events?

All participants are expected to attend each residential seminar and the End of Programme Seminar. Non-attendance may mean participants will have to withdrawal from the programme. If an individual participant has a problem with any of the dates, they should contact the programme lead as soon as possible to discuss this.

23. Who else will be attending the programme?

The cohort will be made up of individuals from Public Health or Children, Young People and Family Services, as well as 2nd tier officers with extended remits (i.e. people services roles). It may also include senior managers from a range of organisations; including third-sector, voluntary and the independent sector organisations.

24. What support is available throughout the programme?

There are various levels of support available throughout the programme as follows:

  • Future Directors Lead: Participants will be supported during the programme by the Future Directors Programme Lead who will act as the primary point of contact for all aspects of programme delivery.
  • Learning coordinator: The Learning Coordinator will support the participant to consolidate their learning. They will work with a small group of participants throughout the programme. The Learning Coordinator will be responsible for supporting the learning of participants and providing them with one-to-one support. They will also offer an opportunity at the Development Centre to have an individual session to discuss your 360 review.
  • Sponsor: The sponsor will provide a participant with one-to-one support that is rooted in the practical realities of the chief officer with responsibility for children’s services role. They will act as both a mentor and a critical friend, providing practical support as well as professional challenge to enhance learning. Their role will commence with the start of the application process and will continue throughout the duration of the programme. It is expected that a sponsor will either be the line manager of the applicant or another appropriate senior colleague, who is able to complete the required information in the sponsor nomination form.

If you have any other questions which have not be answered above please contact Jessica Drummond at futuredirectors@leadershipforchange.org.uk or by telephone on 0115 748 4126.

Leadership Centre NHS Leadership Academy Public Health England The Staff College