The first national programme specialising in improving the skills of leaders, managers and organisational development experts to deliver their council’s leadership vision, has been launched.

The programme, set up by the Leadership Centre for Local Government, the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) and the Public Sector People Managers’ Association (PPMA), has been established as a response to the recent local government White Paper and the Cabinet Office’s Transformational government programme – both of which require organisational development and human resources professionals to play a key role in bringing out radical change.

Tom Irvine, leadership director of the Leadership Centre, said: “OD and HR professionals in local government will be expected to take on a new role in developing the authority’s skills and abilities to deliver the leadership vision.

“This is likely to mean increased pressure on developing shared services, reviewing service delivery and new partnership arrangements within the wider community or in a local strategic partnership.

“This is the only national programme of its kind and so will raise participants’ ability to influence and collaborate across the system and help to shape the future of organisational development, improving the capability of local government as a whole.”

The heavily subsidised programme, costing £1200 per participant, has limited places for 25 participants at a northern venue and another 25 for a second session to take place in the south.

The course will kick-off with a two-day combined national event in April, continuing with three further single days in the summer and autumn.

It will include the opportunity for support from peers and include learning sets between the sessions.

To get more information please contact Kelly Sandiford at the IDeA on: Kelly.sandiford@idea.gov.uk.

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For more information please contact Hana Fazal at the Leadership Centre for Local Government on: 020 7630 2184 or on 07921 604237.