Overview
LONDON PROGRAMME
Cohort 1: April 25 - October 25 (hybrid): Applications close on 28 February 25. Apply now
Cohort 2: April 25 - October 25 (online): Applications close on 28 February 25. Apply now
Cohort 3: September 25 - March 26 (hybrid): We will open for applications in June 25.
We specifically encourage people from marginalised communities, particularly Black, Asian and minoritsed ethnic groups, LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities, to apply.
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50 hours core commitment plus additional reading and reflection
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Optional mentoring and coaching
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Seven month programme
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Online peer community
Eligibility
Homelessness worker
We would expect you to be at an Officer / Worker level-role, with aspirations to become a Manager or team lead within the next two years. You might be in a front line or back office role. There is no minimum time that you have been in post.
Passionate about collaborating to achieve social impact and improve equity, diversity and inclusion
We want the programme to have long lasting impact on the sector. Your interest in collaborating with your fellow participants beyond the life of the programme is key.
Working for an organisation dedicated to ending homelessness in London
This must be a voluntary community sector homelessness organisation. Your organisation does not need to be a member of Homeless Link. Your organisation should be based in London, or your role should be specifically focussed on homelessness in London.
Commitment to attendance
In order for you and your fellow participants to get the most out of the programme, we ask you to commit to attending all sessions. You will be asked in the application form to provide written evidence of commitment and support of your line manager.
Outcomes
Programme aims may include:
- Understand yourself and how to interact more effectively with others
- Define the difference between managing and leading, and discover your own style
- Define what a ‘great’ leader looks like – including behaviours and skills
- Develop your ability to communicate assertively, effectively and authentically
- Know how to engage, how to inspire and how to motivate staff
- Understand the importance of being an effective role-model
- Develop creative thinking skills to problem solve and make decisions
- Define performance management and how to identify, develop and build-on people's individual strengths
- Develop your confidence, resilience and well-being to allow you to lead from the front
- Develop a personal action plan to support your on-going development
Key elements
Welcome and closing days
All programmes will kick-off and conclude with an in-person welcome and closing day, allowing you to meet your peers as well as leaders on other cohorts, and to build trusted relationships.
Workshops
Participants join six workshop sessions that focus on different elements of leadership development. Each workshop is a half-day session and includes presentations, discussions, small group work and peer learning. Themes include leadership styles, how to get the best out of people, talent development and performance management, developing teams, driving organisational success, and influencing others.
Additional workshops
Participants will join leaders on Established Leaders cohorts for two additional workshops:
Equity, Justice and Inclusion in Leadership
This workshop considers what inclusive leadership and equity mean in the context of homelessness organisations.
Systems Leadership
This workshop will consider the principles of system leadership as well as provide skills, tools and approaches that are grounded in practical application.
Action Learning Sets (ALS)
Action Learning is a powerful tool for developing critical-thinking, problem-solving, creative solutions and innovative practice. Action Learning Sets are a simple way for individuals to learn from each other, using the combined wisdom and skills of a diverse group of people to work through real situations faced in the workplace. You will meet three times through the course of the programme, in groups of six, with a trained facilitator. Find out more about Action Learning in Lucy and Laura's blog.
Meet our facilitatorsOnline networking community
Aspiring Leaders provides an opportunity to build relationships with other new and emerging leaders working in the homelessness sector. An online community enables participants to support and be supported by their peers during the life of the programme and beyond. WhatsApp is used as a formal channel to ask questions, share learnings and offer mutual support. At the end of the programme, all participants will have the option to join the growing leadership alumni group on LinkedIn.
Open-to-all webinars
Our open-to-all webinars provide an opportunity to hear first-hand from CEOs and other expert speakers. Some sessions run as open Q&As, and others address particular themes and topics relevant to all leaders. Planned topics include Inclusive Leadership, creating more diverse and inclusive organisations, and how to involve people with lived experience authentically.
There is no limitations on who can attend these sessions: you are welcome to encourage other leaders from within your organisation to attend.
Find out moreOptional elements (additional fees apply)
Mentoring
Mentoring offers you the opportunity to learn from a successful leader and build your knowledge of strategic issues. Initially a six-month relationship, you will be matched with a more experienced leader within the homelessness sector, offering a chance to ask questions, discuss real-life challenges and work towards personal and organisational goals.
Find out moreCoaching
Leadership coaching provides a confidential, safe space for reflection and discussion, and empowers individuals to take responsibility for their own personal development. You will be matched with a qualified coach, who won’t be a homelessness expert. The role of the coach is to help you reflect to solve your own problems and to act as a “critical friend”.
Find out moreFAQs
Do I need any specific qualifications to access the programme?
No, you just need to meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Eligibility section above.
Why is the programme free of charge?
Thanks to generous financial support from City Bridge Foundation and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), we’re able to run these programmes at no cost to participants. In return, we request a commitment to attend the whole programme, to participate in feedback sessions and surveys, and to consider becoming a mentor to future leadership cohorts.
Are lunch or travel expenses provided?
Lunch and/or refreshments will be provided for sessions which take place in person. Unfortunately we’re unable to reimburse travel expenses.
What happens once the programme is complete?
All participants are invited to join the online leadership alumni community on LinkedIn. Some people might also choose to continue regular peer support sessions with some or all of the other participants.
I have another question...
In October 22, we hosted an information webinar on the programme. We have collected together the answers to attendees' questions so your question may be answered here: Leadership Support_Q&A
Who can I contact for more information?
Contact Lucy Horitz for more information or for an informal chat about the programme.
Questions asked in the application
Question 1: What are your goals for your leadership journey over the next 5 years? [Maximum 150 words]
Question 2: Considering the programme content and themes, please tell us how you think the programme will benefit your leadership journey. Please consider the impact the programme will have on your personal development, the development of your organisation, and the sector as a whole. [Maximum 250 words]
Question 3: Considering the aims of the programme (listed above) please outline how you will personally contribute to the achievement of these aims. In your response, please consider how you could utilise your existing knowledge, skills, experience and attributes to benefit other participants. [Maximum 250 words]
Question 4: A key element of the programme is developing a network of peers in an environment that feels safe, trusted and supportive. In order to achieve this, we ask that all participants commit to attending all of the sessions. How will you manage the required time commitment and ensure your organisational capacity doesn’t suffer as a result? [Maximum 100 words]
Question 5: To ensure that participants and their organisations get the maximum benefit from the programme, we ask all applications to be endorsed by their line manager or board member. Please submit a paragraph from your manager confirming their endorsement and your suitability for the programme [Maximum 150 words]
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City Bridge Foundation
To deliver our London leadership programmes we have received funding from City Bridge Foundation, London’s biggest independent charity funder. -
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
To deliver our England leadership programmes we have received funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG).