Frequently asked questions for DCS Leadership Programme

Navigate to questions about:

My eligibility for the programme
The suitability of the programme for my learning needs
Registration
Programme delivery and logistics
Specific programme components
Programme design

Eligibility for the programme

I cannot confirm my eligibility for the programme; can you offer any further guidance?

If you hold a permanent statutory DCS role and you have no plans to stop being a DCS within the next twelve months, you are eligible for the programme.

If you are currently holding the statutory DCS role on an interim basis, please see the table below for guidance.

Interim role	Eligible?
‘Acting up’ temporarily: during or immediately prior to a planned recruitment process where it is clear that the individual is in a ‘caretaker’ role.	Unfortunately you are not eligible for the DCS Leadership programme, or for mentoring support. However, we would encourage you to apply for the Aspirant programme at the next application round.
‘Acting up’ indefinitely: where there is no defined timescale for recruitment, or the recruitment process is not imminent (i.e. not due to begin for at least 6 months).	Yes, you are eligible for the DCS Leadership programme and for mentoring support.
‘Sideway’ appointment: for example where the DASS or a representative of another agency has been appointed to cover the DCS role on an interim basis.	You are eligible for the DCS Leadership programme and for mentoring support, provided that the appointment can be classed as ‘indefinite’ as per the criteria above. Unfortunately you are not eligible if this arrangement is ‘temporary’.
External interims	Please contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.

If you have any further questions, please contact dcsleadership@virtualstaffcollege.co.uk.

If I leave my current role unexpectedly during the year, would this affect my participation in the programme?
Normally you can choose to remain on the programme to complete the events on which you have enrolled. A key consideration will be the overall benefit to the sector which would be gained through your continued involvement.

Suitability of the programme for different learning needs

I have already participated in the DCS Leadership programme; will this programme provide me with opportunities for further development?
Yes. The programme has been designed to cater for a wide range of learning needs and leadership development experiences. It has been specifically designed to build on the concepts introduced in the DCS Leadership programme and a working understanding of the concepts is essential for participation in the majority of programme events. ‘Core concepts’ modules are provided for DCSs who have not participated in the DCS Leadership or Aspirant DCS programmes.
I have already participated in the Aspirant DCS programme; will this programme provide me with opportunities for further development?
Yes. The programme has been designed to cater for a wide range of learning needs and leadership development experiences. It has been specifically designed to build on the fundamental concepts introduced in the Aspirant DCS programme, and a working understanding of these core concepts is essential for participation in the majority of programme events. Within the ‘core concepts’ modules, there are sessions which look at DCS-programme specific concepts; you will be able to discuss these opportunities with your learning co-ordinator.
I have participated in neither the DCS Leadership nor the Aspirant DCS programmes; will this affect my participation in the programme?
No. The programme has been designed to cater for a wide range of learning needs and leadership development experiences, and ‘core concepts’ modules will be provided to introduce the fundamental concepts delivered on the DCS Leadership and Aspirant DCS programmes. The core concepts residential will run before the other elements of the programme, so you will not be disadvantaged in any way.
I have participated in a separate leadership development programme which was not run by either the National College or the Virtual Staff College; is this programme suitable for me?
The programme has been designed to cater for a wide range of learning needs and leadership development experiences, so we certainly hope that you will benefit from the programme. Please note this information on your registration form so that we are aware of your previous experience. Your learning co-ordinator will be able to discuss how our programme events could complement your experiences and enable you to get the most out of this year’s events.

Registration

What am I committing to by registering for the programme?
By registering for the programme, you are only committing to have an initial discussion with a member of the team. At this point, you will have the opportunity to confirm your indicative options for the year or decline to participate any further.

However, whilst registering does not commit you to participating in any further programme events, we are asking DCSs to register in order to participate in the programme.
I would only like to attend one or two events; do I still have to register for the programme?
Yes, we are asking DCSs to register in order to participate in the programme.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
If you miss the registration deadline please email dcsleadership@virtualstaffcollege.co.uk to discuss your situation.
Can I submit a hard-copy application instead of an online application?
No, you can only apply online.

Programme delivery and logistics

What is the likely time commitment going to be for this programme?
The programme’s modular structure means that your time commitment is entirely up to you, and will depend on your learning needs, interests and other commitments. We will be able to give more of an indication of the time commitment for specific elements of the programme during your initial discussion with the team.
Is there a minimum commitment that will be required?
By registering, you are only committing to discussing options with a learning co-ordinator. As part of this conversation you will discuss your objectives for the year and define a personal programme which fits your learning needs, interests and other commitments. As such, there is no minimum expectation beyond the initial conversation. We will use this conversation and your registration form to understand the likely demand for individual events.
What are my options beyond March 2013? Will I be able to access the programme in future years?
The programme will operate on a twelve month cycle, but the content will change year on year. It is not a one-time offer, and we would welcome ongoing engagement with the programme beyond March 2013. All that you will need to do is re-register for the programme in a year’s time to indicate that you would like to continue accessing support.
What support is available throughout the DCS Leadership Programme?
Programme support will be available from a learning co-ordinator and from the Virtual Staff College team.
Where will the programme events take place?
The main residential events will continue to be held at the National College for School Leadership’s Learning and Conference Centre in Nottingham. Other elements of the programme (such as action learning) will be delivered regionally.
Is there a cost associated with participating in the programme?
For the current programme cycle, all events are free to eligible participants. The only exception to this is personal coaching if you have already had funded coaching through the DCS Leadership programme. We are working out precise details of the coaching offer, but may ask for a contribution to the costs of any future coaching.
Are there any assessed activities or pieces of work on the DCS Leadership Programme?
There may be an opportunity for optional accreditation. Further details about this will be available as the design and development of the programme progresses.

Specific programme components

Strategic seminars: I have been attending strategic seminars on the DCS Leadership programme; will I be able to continue to do so under the new programme?
Yes. The applied leadership seminars will be similar to the strategic seminars on the previous model, and will retain the focus on topical key themes in the sector. You will need to register for the programme, and when asked for your programme preferences, please indicate your interest in the applied leadership seminars (along with any other events that are of interest to you), and a learning co-ordinator will contact you to discuss your selections and confirm your attendance at the applied leadership programme.
Online materials:
1. How do I access the online communities and materials?
  Application for the programme includes enrolment as a registered use of the Virtual Staff College which provides access to the online community and to online materials and publications.
2. Do I have to use the online facilities?
  There will be a rich set of online resources to support different aspects of the programme. The use of these will not be compulsory but will be strongly recommended. There will be many different types of resource that you will have access to including, but not restricted to, interactive content, scenario based learning, case studies, podcasts, blogs and web seminars.
3. Where can I get technical support for problems with online materials and access?
  Technical advice, if required, is available from: events@virtualstaffcollege.co.uk or telephone David Tilbrook on 0161 838 5764

Link with Sector-Led Improvement

Is there any formal link between the programme and Sector Led Improvement (SLI)?
Yes, there will be a link to Sector Led Improvement (SLI), and detailed design on the relationship is still in progress. We are working closely with SLI leadership to ensure that the link delivers the maximum benefit to the sector and takes into account the commitments and capacity of DCSs and other senior leaders.