Frequently Asked Questions

What is positive action?

Disability, race and sex equality legislation permit targeted (positive action) training for specific groups only, where those groups are under-represented in a workforce. The aim of the training is to help address and end the under-representation.

Further information about positive action provisions is available on the Equalities and Human Rights Commission website – www.equalityhumanrights.com

Why is Leaders UnLtd only open to certain groups?

Leaders UnLtd helps to support the delivery of a diverse Civil Service and to address the under-representation within the Senior Civil Service (SCS). Leaders UnLtd is therefore open to the following groups which have been identified as currently under-represented at SCS level:

women civil servants; or
civil servants with a disability (the Disability Discrimination Act describes a person with a disability as having ‘a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’); or
civil servants from the following specific minority ethnic backgrounds: Asian of Bangladeshi origin; Asian of Indian origin; Asian of Pakistani origin; Asian of other origin; Black of African origin; Black of Caribbean origin; Black of other origin; Chinese; of Asian and White mixed origins; Black African and White mixed origins; Black Caribbean and White mixed origins; or any other mixed origins.

Why is the scheme only open to Grade 6/7 (or equivalent) civil servants?

Leaders UnLtd focuses leadership investment on those most likely to and/or ready to enter the SCS within 3-4 years – those just below the SCS.

However, departments will be working to develop talent 'feeder grade' streams below grades 6 & 7 to nurture the future leadership ability of more junior staff.

What happens after Leaders UnLtd finishes?

If you are considering applying for a place on Leaders UnLtd you should be committed to stay in the Civil Service and work towards preparing for entry to the SCS within two years of graduation.

Following graduation, you will be encouraged to share your successes and challenges with your Leaders UnLtd peers at specially held events. As a graduate you will be expected to offer support along with mentoring and coaching to current participants. You will also have your Learning Compact to follow and support you as you move forward.

Am I guaranteed a Senior Civil Service post after completing the scheme?

No. What you will be guaranteed under the scheme are the following commitments:

On completing Leaders UnLtd successfully and having demonstrated delivery, competency and skills on the job, through meeting measurable job related performance objectives over a set period of time:

if you are a woman or from an ethnic minority background, you will be invited to join an appropriate SCS competition; or
if you have a disability, you will be guaranteed an appropriate SCS level interview or participation in a Departmental SCS promotion assessment centre.

Appointments, however, will be based on merit.

You can find out more at:

http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/who/diversity/introduction.aspx

What's the difference between Leaders UnLtd and other leadership development schemes?

The personalised bursary enables you to combine mainstream leadership and development learning opportunities with targeted learning that focuses on your identified areas for development.

In addition, individual Learning Compacts and a greater focus on coaching and mentoring, with a real project to deliver and help hone your skills, are key features of this new approach to developing leadership diversity.

As this is a scheme that is open to applicants from across the Civil Service, you will be working with peers from a variety of career backgrounds, allowing for a richer learning experience. Leaders UnLtd will help you develop your leadership talent which is something that is valued across the Civil Service.

What is the pricing and charging structure?

The price of each candidate taking part in the Assessment and Development Centre is £2,375.

The Programme fee is £5,950 per successful participant plus a discretionary £2,500 bursary that can support both departmental and corporate developmental opportunities.

Fees are payable in two instalments: £2,375 in October 2010 for the ADC; £5,950 for the programme core content and a discretionary £2,500 for the bursary are both due in January 2011.

What can I use the bursary for?

The Personalised Bursary element is available for you to spend on leadership development requirements that you have detailed in your Leadership Development Plan – enabling you to combine mainstream leadership development with learning focused on your specific development needs – whether that is extra coaching sessions or specific business, management or leadership skills training.

How does my line manager contribute to the application process?

Line Managers will be required to provide a written endorsement of the application, including evidence of leadership potential. If you have been with a line manager for less than a year, you may also include supporting references from your previous line manager or someone who knows you well.

If I am on temporary promotion can I apply for the scheme?

Yes, staff on temporary promotion can apply.

Are there any age restrictions to joining the Scheme?

No, there are no age restrictions. You must be a civil servant on a permanent contract or a minimum three year temporary contract. Your contract must cover the 14 months of the Programme’s duration.

I am on loan. Who nominates me for the scheme?

If you are on loan, your home department should nominate you for Leaders UnLtd. However you may want to discuss your application with your temporary (current) organisation.

I have a disability. What help can you give me at the Assessment and Development Centre (ADC)? Can you tell me any more about the exercises?

In order to maintain the fairness of the ADC, we do not normally give details about the exercises in advance. However, candidates with impairments, who have informed us of their additional needs, will be contacted before attending the ADC to discuss them. The more information you give us about your impairment and how it affects you, the better we can make the necessary reasonable adjustments. For example:

a candidate with dyslexia or a visual impairment may need extra time to read materials;
a candidate with a physical impairment may need assistance to complete certain exercises, for example a laptop may be required, or help to move between assessment rooms may be needed; or the candidate may need to be allocated to assessment rooms that are close together; or
a candidate with a hearing impairment may need a quiet environment.

Are there any guidelines available for the Business Critical Project?

Yes. Departments will be expected to actively assist participants in selecting an appropriate Business Critical Project.

Projects should meet the following criteria:

the project’s outcomes are critical to the organisation’s key strategic objectives and the project is signed off by a Director General or equivalent;
it is capable of being brought to conclusion within 10 months from the participant’s commencement on the Programme. The minimum length of a project should be 8 months as it needs to afford opportunities for experimentation in the context of the Leadership Development Plan;
it involves the participant taking personal responsibility for individual work streams and genuine accountability for whole project outcomes;
it stretches the participant to the extent that it involves them functioning at the level of an SCS Deputy Directoa and
the project is accompanied by a critical commentary, a piece of reflective and analytical writing that will chart the learning journey undertaken by the participant.

How big should the Business Critical Project be/how much time should it take?

It needs to be significant enough in its size to allow you to develop many of the skills you have identified in your Leadership Development Plan and to give you a good opportunity to try things out, get feedback and try again. That is why we insist on a projected 8 month minimum period. Some people have allowed 1 day a week to do the project, others have had a secondment to do a project on a full time basis. It depends on the project and the business need. The size is less significant than the opportunity it affords you but you will need to negotiate time to do it with your line manager and organisation. In assessment, your Project Sponsor will be asked whether you met the requirements of the role (which should be at SCS level). The project needs to be substantial enough to allow that judgement to be made.

I would like to apply for the scheme but I cannot make some of the Modules and Action Learning Sets. Can I miss some events?

No. Attendance is a requirement of graduation and we do not currently have the flexibility to offer alternatives. Missing any of the Modules or Learning Sets will have a negative impact on both you and your peers. If you think attendance is going to be an issue, please discuss this with your organisation before making an application.

What happens if I become pregnant, fall ill or have a life crisis once I have a place on the Programme?

Each individual situation should be discussed with the Leaders UnLtd team and your department.

We will do everything we can to help you benefit from the programme, for example by allowing you to transfer to a later cohort.

What happens if I get promoted to the SCS part way through the Programme?

Congratulations! If you wish to continue with the Programme, attending set meetings, Modules and coaching to support your transition to the SCS we will be happy to help you. You may, however, choose not to produce a Portfolio for assessment and graduation purposes and may wish to give up your Business Critical Project, especially if you are moving departments.

I was unsuccessful at a previous ADC. Can I apply again?

Yes, if your organisation nominates you.