CNWL’s 21st Century Leadership Programme (21CLP) is a Trust-wide management and leadership programme focusing on compassionate leadership through living our values and modelling behaviours.
The programme aims to create the compassionate leaders we need so that we can best serve our communities. It offers space for attendees to identify, understand and challenge system-wide complex problems to enable them to lead successfully in a constantly changing environment.
What does the programme involve?
- 21CLP participants develop an understanding of how to embrace and master the management of core complexities of working in the NHS both in the delivery of excellent care in our local communities and in our corporate services.
- 21CLP directly supports the trust’s commitment to building a diverse and inclusive senior leadership that reflects the communities we serve. Participants come from a wide range of backgrounds, services and professions from across our geographically spread Trust.
- By weaving our Trust values, SCARF (Safe, Compassionate, Accountable, Reflective and Fair) behaviours and equality, diversity and inclusion throughout, the programme identifies new ways to get below the surface of areas such as bullying and harassment, discrimination, recruitment bias and conflict in teams ensuring that we are an organisation of choice for staff and an organisation of excellence for the people we serve.
- All topics fit in the three domains of the programme and the 21CLP model: Self-Awareness, Relationships and Performance, see graphics below to learn more.
- The curriculum, which has been designed and is delivered by CNWL’s own topic experts, covers a wide array of subjects: compassion and importantly self-compassion, psychological safety, coaching skills, partnerships at systems level true co-production and community collaboration, difficult conversations and effective feedback, leading teams to develop and grow, wellbeing, proactive sickness support, thorny HR issues, looking at skill mix innovatively and finance and data workshops.
- The 21CLP teaching does not end after the 12 days and continues with our alumni programme of masterclasses, networking events, workshops and other opportunities including scope for growth conversations and active sponsorship which expose all graduating participants to new skills, challenges and networks.
- An intensive 12-day programme, run over 11 months with wraparound support. In addition to the 12 teaching days there are two aspects of the programme that our participants find particularly useful:
- the small groups they work in called learning sets and the opportunities they gain for networking across the Trust. The learning sets are led by a senior Trust leader and they are designed so that participants develop, build and nurture trusting, supportive relationships with their peers during the programme and beyond; these small groups provide participants with a safe space to review and reflect on their learning and to bring workplace issues to discuss, as well as being a place to practice taking ‘a coaching approach’ through active listening and supportive questioning skills.
- Indeed, the sets have been so useful that some groups are continuing to meet beyond the end of the programme. 21CLP participants attend from across all areas of our geographically spread and professionally diverse services with cohort members having the opportunity to work alongside peers who they would not ordinarily come across in their everyday roles.
- Programme aimed primarily at Band 8A and 8B managers, 8C managers can also apply
- Teaching delivered through a blended approach with a mix of virtual (Zoom) and face to face
- Applications welcomed from medical, clinical and non-clinical staff from all divisions/corporate AND from those with protected characteristics
-
The programme is recognised by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and participants will become members of the CMI for the duration of the programme with access to career support online resources and opportunities
-
Optional 1-2-1 coaching offer available
-
Core 21CLP modules taught over 12 days plus additional learning sets
- Each cohort has a lead director and is supported by a cohort co-ordinator
-
Continuous evaluation of learning experience
- Programme is aimed primarily at Band 8a and 8b managers, 8c managers can also apply
- You must be committed and have capacity to attend 12 days plus the additional learning sets, to complete the project and the programme as a whole
- The programme is not suitable for managers who cannot give this commitment and who may benefit from other less intensive support/training
Picture above: Colleagues form the Occupational Health and HR Panel and took OH/HR questions from our Programme 3 participants.
"It was empowering to meet different professionals and to come together with a common desire to improve leadership and find a common ground."
"I just want to say this course just gets better and better...really brilliant and 'different' content to any course I have ever done (I have done many leadership courses in the past) and I feel VERY privileged to be part of this training. There has obviously been a lot of thought and care put into the content."
"Using my coaching method of working, with compassion and kindness, is reinforced at each session and I feel hugely supported to continue in this way of working. I am gaining a deeper understanding in a number of topics. It's been hugely helpful to network across CNWL's managers. It's also been hugely helpful to know I am not alone in my struggles and to be given permission to continue what I'm doing."
Launch event programme group 4
In September 2024, we hosted a vibrant and energetic launch to Programme 4 at International Students House. Programme 4 is aimed at Band 8A and 8B managers and leaders, with at least 50% participants being from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background. Read more and view pictures below:
Celebration event for programme 2 and 3 graduates
Our latest cohort of participants gathered to celebrate graduating the 21CLP programme. Read more and view pictures below:
21st Century Leadership for Psychological Professions
We offer the 21st Century Leadership Programme for psychological professions working in the NHS across the UK. A programme designed by psychologists, for psychologists.
There’s up to 15 spaces available for a 15 day programme with CNWL. The programme combines psychological theory with leadership science and covers topical issues such as values led leading; psychological safety and relational skills. Find out more.
Questions? Contact us
Please email cnwl.21clp@nhs.net if you have any questions about the programme or how to apply.
Hear from the programme leaders
Watch more videos
Latest news
We're Highly Commended for a CIPD People Management Award!
21CLP is shortlisted for Best L&D initiative - public/third sector category in Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) People Management Awards. This award recognises how a creative and effective learning and development initiative has contributed to the success of the organisation and its people.
North West London 21CLP
Staff from across the North West London Integrated Care System took part in 8-day bespoke 21CLP entitled ‘Managing yourself and others through organisational change’.
The programme covered a variety of 21CLP topics including compassion, psychological safety, coaching skills, managing change, wellbeing and building resilience, partnership at system level and leading the future. Watch here for reflections from NWL 21CLP graduates.