The Civil Service is committed to improving the delivery of services for everyone in society by building a workforce which reflects the communities it serves. The result of a partnership by the Cabinet Office and the National School of Government, Leaders UnLtd is a corporate leadership development scheme which contributes to that vision by helping to build the leadership capacity and diversity of the Senior Civil Service.

Designed specifically for talented people in groups who have been identified as being currently under-represented in the Senior Civil Service (SCS), Leaders UnLtd is a positive action initiative open to Grade 6/7 (or equivalent) UK civil servants who are either women, or who have a disability, or are from specific minority ethnic backgrounds and who aspire to join the SCS.

The scheme seeks to equip participants with the leadership skills they need to prepare for entry to the SCS and make the most of their leadership talent. If you can demonstrate that you have the potential to not only make a difference but help transform the future leadership of a world-class Civil Service then Leaders UnLtd is for you.

On successful completion of the Leaders UnLtd Programme, your achievement will be recognised at appraisal, promotion boards and at interviews, and a ‘Learning Compact’ will secure this recognition and provide for ongoing support for your development after the Programme finishes.

No less importantly, you will be part of a growing group of leaders with the richest possible mix of talent – a network you can call on for advice and support as you progress in your Civil Service career.

Leaders UnLtd - an overview

Leaders UnLtd is a scheme comprising:

• a selection process;
• an 18 month assessed development Programme; and
• a Learning Compact to support you during and beyond the Programme should you successfully graduate.

The selection process includes an Assessment and Development Centre with a stress on leadership and the Professional Skills for Government (PSG) framework. You will gain an appreciation of your strengths and development needs.

If you are offered a place on the Scheme you will join a Leaders UnLtd Programme.

Over 18 months you’ll be learning, working and building networks with your peers from across the Civil Service in the ‘core’ part of the scheme.

You will use the insights gained from the Assessment and Development Centre to inform the production of a Leadership Development Plan. You will also undertake a work-based project which is critical to your organisation and through which you can further develop your leadership and PSG capabilities. These individual activities will be supported by symposia, learning sets, coaching, mentoring and a personalised bursary. The bursary will allow you to combine mainstream leadership development with learning focused on your specific needs.

The ‘Learning Compact’ will see you and your organisation enter into an agreement that will support your ongoing career and leadership development. You will each take responsibility for your leadership development and career management – in support of your department’s business and service objectives as well as your own career aspirations.

Pricing and charging structure

The price of each candidate taking part in the Assessment and Development Centre is £3,000.

The Programme fee is £6,500 per successful participants (a £2,000 reduction on previous cohorts) plus a £4,000 bursary that can support both departmental and corporate developmental opportunities – a total programme fee of £10,500.

Fees are payable in three instalments:  £3,000 in November 2008 for the ADC; £6,500 in January 2009 for the programme core content; and £4,000 in June 2009 for the bursary element.

Download the Leaders UnLtd scheme brochure

Leaders UnLtd (1 Mb)