Who is the Aspirant DCS Programme for?
This programme is for individuals who aspire to the role of DCS or chief officer with responsibility for children’s services and who have worked in children’s services or have other appropriate experience at assistant director level or equivalent.
Programme participants will be highly committed and will envisage applying for a role of DCS or chief officer with responsibility for children’s services between 12 and 18 months from their application for the programme. Those who feel they meet this criteria and will be able to commit the time (28 days overall, during a 12 to 18 month period) to complete the programme in full, will require sponsorship from their line manager or other appropriate senior colleague.
The programme will not meet the requirements of everyone who aspires to be a DCS or chief officer with responsibility for children’s services. It is not a pre-requisite for becoming a DCS or chief officer with responsibility for children’s services, nor a guarantee of appointment. This is an intensive 12 to 18 month programme and therefore it is critical that you consider fully whether this will best meet your professional development needs. Other options provided by the College may be more appropriate at this stage in your career, such as initiatives which may be introduced regionally as part of our succession planning initiative.
Participants for the programme will be selected through a rigorous assessment process.
National Leadership Qualities Framework
The National Leadership Qualities Framework provides the developmental context for chief officers with responsibility for children’s services, and those who aspire to the role of DCS or chief officer with responsibility for children’s services, to benchmark their knowledge, skills and behaviours against a set of functional statements which serve to define their responsibilities within the context of local delivery. It aims to make functional sense of the aspirations outlined in statutory guidance related to the role of DCS or chief officer with responsibility for children’s services. The assessment process for the programme is based on this framework so it is recommended you familiarise yourself with this document.
Pre-application self-assessment
Our pre-application self-assessment is now available to help potential applicants determine their suitability for the programme. The self-assessment provides an opportunity for reflection. Potential applicants should use the output of this to contribute to a discussion with their potential sponsor. The questionnaire is for the potential applicant’s use only and will not be held by the Virtual Staff College.
Guidance
It is recommended that potential applicants and sponsors read the guidance in full, to understand the detailed requirements for assessment.