Leadership and management themes

You complete modules from the following leadership and management themes
• developing compassionate leadership
• service structures, systems and policies
• quality and commissioning
• leading change
• innovation and enterprise

Level five modules

These modules will be available from September 2013

The enquiring leader
In the rapidly changing context of health and social care the enquiring leader must keep up with current changes, explore options and make informed judgements about service provision. This module aims to develop and embed your skills in critical analysis, reflection and open minded enquiry into your everyday practice.

The critically thinking leader
This module is linked to each study module and is delivered throughout the course. It provides the opportunity for you as a leader to develop your critical thinking abilities within a framework of collaborative peer engagement. It uses the key principle of assessment for learning which is based on the philosophy that you will make the most improvement if you understand the aim of your learning, where you are in relation to this aim, and how you can achieve the aim. Throughout the module you will subject your personal leadership development to peer scrutiny in order to co-create personal improvement plans that will incorporate relevant workplace impact measures

Leading people and teams for high performance working
This module forms part of the developing compassionate leadership theme and aims to
• explore strategies for improvement in these areas from the compassionate leader perspective for the individual, organisation and service user
• enable you to construct and maintain the organisational team and partnership frameworks that facilitate effective working and learning as a compassionate leader

Developing resilience in context
This module forms part of the developing compassionate leadership theme. Working in the health and social care sector can be very rewarding but also extremely demanding. This module aims to help
• develop leadership skills and strategies for developing, implementing and sustaining strategies for resilience on a personal, professional and organisational basis when working in climates of uncertainty and change
• you as a compassionate leader to understand your working environment and anticipate policy development at all levels which influence organisational effectiveness

Introduction to systems thinking and strategic leadership
This module forms part of the service structures, systems and policies theme. In an increasingly complex health and social care environment it is important for leaders to have tools that help to make sense of this complexity. This module aims to
• introduce key concepts of systems thinking such as interactions, loops, feedback mechanisms and will examine the application of the concepts within a learning organisation 
• explore the concept of strategy within organisations and to develop knowledge of the leadership role within this process

Level six module descriptions

These modules are available from February 2014.

Leading across organisational boundaries
Traditional forms of organisation in health and social care are changing rapidly, with an emphasis on networks, short-term teams and partnership working becoming more prevalent. This module aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge to enhance your effectiveness when working in this environment.

The critically thinking leader
This module is linked to each study module and is delivered throughout the course. It provides the opportunity for you as a leader to develop your critical thinking abilities within a framework of collaborative peer engagement. It uses the key principle of assessment for learning which is based on the philosophy that you will make the most improvement if you understand the aim of your learning, where you are in relation to this aim, and how you can achieve the aim. Throughout the module you will subject your leadership development to peer scrutiny in order to co-create organisational improvement plans that will incorporate relevant workplace impact measures.

Evaluating quality and understanding the commissioning process
This module forms part of the quality and commissioning theme. To be an effective leader in the evolving health and social care sector demands real understanding of quality drivers at organisational level. This module aims to
• help you as a leader to develop an understanding of the concept and purpose of quality in health and social care organisations
• provide an overview of current commissioning systems and practices, and explore the role of the service leader within commissioning

Leading effective change and developing cultural awareness
This module forms part of the leading change theme. Change in health and social care is a constant factor for leaders. The pace of change is accelerating and the task for leaders is becoming increasingly complex. This module aims to
• equip leaders with the essential tools and techniques to lead effective change in health and social care organisations
• increase your sensitivity to culture and to evaluate tools and models for analysis of change and development of culture

Project management for enterprise and entrepreneurship
This module forms part of the innovation and enterprise theme. Government policy pronouncements advocate the need for health service staff at all levels to be entrepreneurial in finding ways to make change happen. The aim of this module is to
• develop your ability to recognise and exploit opportunities for enterprise/entrepreneurship in health and social care
• understand the fundamentals of project management principles and be able to apply these in an organisational setting