Cancer workforce: clinical leadership guidance

Information for cancer service colleagues across NHS Scotland on opportunities for developing clinical leadership skills. The guidance highlights tools to help identify leadership development needs and how to progress these at all career stages.


5. Formal and Informal Leadership Development Opportunities

The diagram on page 8 sets out some of the specific leadership development opportunities classed in diagram 1 as formal and informal learning content/ courses. Again this is illustrative of the types of leadership development modules and content that are available. Note that none of these are specifically targeted towards the cancer workforce but are entirely applicable and open to cancer service staff. At the time of writing (March 2022) all are currently accepting applications and/ or will continue to run cohorts in coming years.

The selected content/ courses have been organised in terms of:

  • Pre-existing leadership experience required
  • Level of specialist expertise required
  • Type of learning involved

Note that the following key applies to Diagram 4 and Table 2.

Expertise

  • General Health and Social Care
  • Some specific specialism/ expertise

Type of Learning

  • Gateway
  • Project Component
  • Network
  • Group Component
  • Online Content/ Course
Diagram 4: Leadership Development Opportunities Overview
Diagram 4 provides an overview of the leadership development content that is covered in more detail in table 2 on the following page. 
Each learning bar illustrated in the form of bars set out horizontally one under the other and numbered from 1 to 12. 
The length of each bar and where it is positioned correlates to the axis running along the top which relates to the level of existing leadership experience individuals have. 
Bar 1 ‘leadership and management zone’, bar 2 ‘project lift’, bar 3 ‘leadership links’ and bar 7 ‘QI improvement zone’ run the length of the axis denoting that they are for people with all levels of existing leadership experience.
Bar 4 ‘leadership foundations’ is situated towards the far left indicating it is for those with limited leadership experience.
Bar 6 ‘New Horizons’ is situated to the right of bar 4 but still within the segment of the axis denoting limited leadership experience.
Bar 5 ‘Leading for the future’ straddles the some and extensive experience categories though is proportionately more towards the extensive end.
Bar 8 ‘Scottish Improvement Leader Programme’ and bar 9 ‘Scottish Quality and Safety Fellowship programme’ both straddle the some and extensive experience categories equally. 
Bar 10 ‘AHP Careers Fellowship’ is positioned so that it encompasses a part of the limited experience section of the axis and all of the some experience section.
Bar 11 ‘Digital Health and Care Leadership Programme’ occupies only the central third of the axis denoting that it is targeted towards those with some previous leadership experience. 
The bars are also coloured either green to denote that they are targeted towards health and social care colleagues generally or coloured purple to denote they are targeted towards colleagues with specific specialisms/ expertise. 
Adjacent to each bar is an infographic denoting the type of learning each one includes. There is a puzzle piece with a key outline in the middle to signify a gateway, there is an icon with different sized circles interconnected by lines to signify a network, there is a computer icon to deonte online content/ course, there is a folder with pencil and ruler to denote options with a project component and there is an icon with three figures to denote a group component. 
Bar one is coloured green and has the gateway, computer and network icons.
Bar two is coloured green and has the gateway and network icons.
Bar three is coloured green and has the network and computer icons.
Bar 4 is coloured green and has the computer icon.
Bar 5 is coloured green and has the computer and group icons.
Bar 6 is coloured green and has the computer and group icons.
Bar 7 is coloured green and has the gateway, computer and network icons.
Bar 8 is coloured purple and has the project, group and computer icons.
Bar 9 is coloured purple and has the project and computer icons.
Bar 10 is coloured purple and has the project, computer and group icons.
Bar 11 is coloured green and has the project computer and group icons.

Further details of each of the above courses/ content is provided below. Note that all information and links are correct at the time of writing (March 2022).

Table 2: Courses And Modules Further Details

Content

Target Audience

Description

Duration

Places

Application Details

Link

1. Leadership and Management Zone (NES)

For general health and social care generally

Staff at all levels and all disciplines across health and social care Scotland.

Self-directed learning zone offering a range of high quality resources designed to encourage and support balanced knowledge and skills development across your career. Resources are grouped by level (Beginning, Developing and Extending) with three different pathways in each: leadership for health and care; people and resource management; managing and leading quality improvement. Resources include e-modules, articles and webinars.

No limit, learn at own pace.

Unlimited

NA

Leadership and Management Zone | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

2. Project Lift (SG, NES, Health and Social Care Stakeholders)

For general health and social care generally

Staff at all levels, all roles and all stages of leadership development across Health and Social Care

Portal which takes a fresh look at developing leadership at all levels focusing on compassionate and collective leadership informed by practice and experience. Features a 'My Project Lift' app with self-assessment questionnaire to assist in identifying current degree of fit with Project Lift framework and areas for development. Offers links to events, news and networking opportunities across the Project Lift community.

Note that new programmes are anticipated as Project Lift continues to develop and evolve.

No limit, engage at own pace

Unlimited

NA (app is free and available on TURAS)

Visit the Project Lift website or subscribe to the newsletter for further information about Project Lift and future updates as the project develops.

Home - Project Lift

3. Leadership Links (NES)

For general health and social care generally

Leaders and managers from all levels

Multi-disciplinary network including bite-sized live and recorded learning events on a variety of leadership areas, information on events and networking opportunities with health and care colleagues and partners. Content is tailored to individual interests. Also sign-posts other learning opportunities.

No limit, learn at own pace.

Unlimited

Live events promoted at Leadership Links | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

Leadership Links | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

4. Leadership Foundations (NES)

For general health and social care generally

All across Health and Social Care at the beginning of their leadership career.

Set of 6 self-directed learning models each relating to Scotland's Health and Care's 6 Leadership Capabilities. A family of e-learning modules that can be completed in full (with certificate of achievement in recognition) or individually as relevant. Includes self-audit feature to flag strengths and areas of development and signposts to other relevant learning resources.

No limit, learn at own pace

Unlimited

NA

Programmes | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

5. Leading for the Future (NES)

For general health and social care generally

Those in senior leadership positions in Health and Social Care (clinical and non-clinical)

Package of leadership and management development run in partnership across several Health Boards and one local authority. Course comprises online modules, workshops and masterclasses and group-based learning sets. Focus is on enabling leaders to put theory into practice by applying to live leadership challenges.

12 months

Typically up to 120 per year

Recruitment is between March and May for Sep start. Cohort 12 recruitment will commence spring 2022.

Leading for the Future | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

6. New Horizons (NES)

For general health and social care generally

Those starting out on their leadership and management journey across Health and Social Care

Online leadership development programme consisting of 4 x learning modules and a consolidation day via MS Teams, which aims to support leadership capability and capacity of new and emerging leaders. Offers a foundation for leadership based on the six health and care leadership capabilities with underpin the Leadership and Management Zone.

6 months (Nov - Apr)

16

Suitable candidates based on their Project Lift self-assessment questionnaire responses are invited to apply.

New Horizons | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

7. QI Improvement Zone (NES)

For general health and social care generally

All Health and Social Care, public sector and third sector with experience at all levels of quality improvement.

Learning and resource site that provides learning, development and networking opportunities in the use of QI methodology to support delivery of better services, care and outcomes. Includes self-directed online modules at introductory level and to refresh/ consolidate knowledge. Can be undertaken prior to or during ScIL (8) or SQSF (9) completion or as standalone resources.

No limit, learn at own pace

Unlimited

NA

Quality Improvement Zone | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

8. Scottish Improvement Leader Programme (NES)

for those with some specific specialism/ expertise

Those across Scotland's public services in a role with a strong focus on quality improvement and leading improvement projects. Typically Band 6+.

Intensive, masters-level equivalent lead level quality improvement course which aims to develop individuals who can design, develop and lead improvement projects, generate support for change and provide expert improvement and support advice. Highly interactive with blended learning approach including self-study, modular learning, coaching, mentoring, peer support and undertaking a local workplace project over the course of the programme. Participants will be released from their substantive post for 1 day p.w. to undertake programme.

10 months

128 p.a. (4 x cohorts). Approx 60 for Health and Social Care. Each cohort is comprised of a targeted region plus individuals in national role.

Via application form. Highly competitive. Individual forward plan for leading quality improvement and foundation level quality improvement knowledge expected. Recruitment expected autumn 2022 via national panel and QI leads in Boards. Register interest via link.

Scottish Improvement Leader Programme (ScIL) | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

9. Scottish Quality and Safety Fellowship Programme (NES)

for those with some specific specialism/ expertise

Clinical practice healthcare staff who have a direct influence on improving patient care or safety.

Intensive, masters-level equivalent lead level quality improvement and clinical leadership course which aims to strengthen clinical leadership and improvement capability in NHS Scotland. Participants undertake their own improvement project throughout the programme to consolidate learning and apply skills from learning workshops and events. After completion Fellows are expected to support the Healthcare Quality Strategy at local and national level via mentoring, teaching, providing technical advice or other quality improvement activities.

10 months

34 p.a. (1 x cohort)

Via application form. Highly competitive. Cohort 14 open from 4 Feb to 25 Mar 2022. See link for registration pack. Recruitment via panel. Must be actively involved in Quality and Safety Improvement.

Scottish Quality and Safety (SQS) Fellowship Programme | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

10. Allied Healthcare Professional Careers Fellowship (NES)

for those with some specific specialism/ expertise

The AHP workforce working in the public health and social care sector in Scotland.

Includes learning programme of 8 x days plus undertaking individual work-based project. Each year there are broad project themes to reflect prioritised service and policy needs. Project themes have included rehabilitation and recovery, new models of care. Funding available to release time for up to 2 x days p.w.

10-12 months

Typically 15-18 p.a.

Via application form. Applications typically close in autumn for start in spring the following year. Highly competitive.

AHP careers fellowship scheme | NHS Education for Scotland

11. Digital Health and Care Leadership Programme (NES)

For general health and social care generally

Now open to pharmacists, psychologists, nurses, midwives, AHPs, TEC leads and healthcare scientists. Typically band 6-8 looking to develop their leadership role and change digital practice.

Previously the NMHAP Digital Health and Care Leadership Programme, the programme is undergoing incremental expansion, with plans to widen further in 2022.

Supports ambitious, experienced health and care professionals to develop leadership skills and technological competence equipping them to influence the digital agenda and lead digital change. Structured around 3 x themes: strategic leadership and innovation; application of technology to support service delivery and benefit patients/ people; enhancing the contribution to technology enabled practice. The programme adopts a blended approach to learning including individual learning and group sessions alongside project work. Peer support also a feature.

8 months

Typically 60 – 70 (across 2 x cohorts).

Courses currently commence in October and March. See link to register interest for cohort 18.

Digital Health and Care Leadership Programme (DLP) | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

Contact

Email: CancerPolicyTeam@gov.scot

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