Future Leaders Programme for Directors of Children's Services

In summer 2018, we announced plans to establish a system leadership programme for future and newly appointed Directors of Children's Services (DCS). The DfE will be seeking proposals from organisations or consortia to develop, deliver and manage a programme which attracts high-quality participants with strong potential to progress to DCS roles and equips them with the core learning and capacities necessary to do so and supports newly appointed DCSs to develop and embed the behaviours, skills and capacities to become strong system leaders.

DCSs have a professional responsibility for the leadership, strategy and effectiveness of local authority children's services and are accountable for securing the provision of services which address the needs of all children and young people, including the most disadvantaged and vulnerable, and their families and carers. DCSs have a critical 'system leader' role for children and families - operating as the interface between practice, corporate and political leadership over a wide range of local authority services for children and young people.

They are required to work collaboratively and create and lead effective partnerships in order to ensure the best and safe outcome for each service user. We know there are significant challenges in recruitment and retention at DCS level, and barriers to progressing into and quickly becoming effective in a DCS role.

We are looking for a supplier that will: engage with and respond proactively to the DfE's requirements and developing policy, liaise with a range of stakeholders, and deliver training and support based on evidence and user research to explore and address these challenges.The programme could include: a balance of leadership and management and wider knowledge and skills training; coaching and mentoring; a development framework, including key outcomes and measures for high-quality system leadership; a range of learning methods, potentially including options for a virtual platform; innovative ways to attract high potential participants, particularly from within local authorities and local partners that work in a related capacity with children and families. The DfE is seeking expressions of interest from potential suppliers and their partner organisations to engage in early pre-procurement discussions with the DfE to input into the development of the specification and aid the formulation of the programme requirements.

Additional information: A pre-market engagement event is planned for Wednesday 7 August at 11:30-14:00, at: Department for Education,Sanctuary Buildings,Great Smith Street, London,SW1P 3BT. This event will enable organisations to gain a better understanding of the DfE's requirements, and provide an opportunity for networking and possible consortia discussions.

Attendance is limited to 2 representatives per organisation. Please ensure that the attendees have the requisite technical expertise to fully represent your organisation in the conversations.