For aspiring and existing leaders in various professional settings, the programme will provide a framework for leadership development which takes account of the circumstances generated by changes in social and economic conditions and by policy affairs and external forces. Participants will:

• extend their knowledge and understanding of leadership and management theory
• link theory to practice in their role or aspirant role
• engage in critical reflection on their own practice by analysing critically evidence and arguments to support professional judgements in complex and sometimes ambiguous situations
• enhance their skills to lead improvement in professional settings (including education, social services, nursing, other caring agencies and the police)
• frame enquiries into practice to make an informed contribution to current professional debates
• work towards, and demonstrate competence against, a range of professional Standards

By providing a flexible programme of modules, the programme will:

• show how research generates different perspectives on professional knowledge
• enable participants to gain a deeper understanding of a range of theoretical approaches and how these can be applied to improve professional practice
• facilitate the generation, leading and evaluation of change solutions in a variety of practice settings.