Civil Service Accelerated Development Schemes
Updated 29 January 2024
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The Civil Service Accelerated Development Schemes aim to develop high-potential individuals to build a robust and diverse pipeline to the most senior and critical Civil Service roles.
Further details about each scheme are set out below. Any civil servant who would like to apply for one of the schemes should speak to their line manager and have a look on their departmental intranet for more information.
Future Leaders Scheme (FLS)
The FLS is a cross-Government development scheme for high-potential grade 6 and 7 civil servants.
The scheme provides a leadership development curriculum, which supports civil servants in accelerating their development as well as learning more about their personal leadership effectiveness.
The programme includes a combination of taught learning and self-led development. Activities include webinars, workshops, action learning sets, along with group executive coaching and senior sponsorship.
Application Process: Selection consists of an online application, situational judgement test and a candidate statement. Successful candidates will be invited to an interview to be assessed against our Model of Potential before being offered a place on the programme.
META (Minority Ethnic Talent Association)
The META programme is a selective programme open to those who successfully gain a place on the FLS and identify as coming from an ethnic minority background. The programme includes a range of opportunities to further support your leadership development, such as a one-day immersive development centre, tailored workshops, executive coaching, networking events and senior mentorship and networking opportunities, executive coaching.
You will become part of a community that includes the alumni and Friends of META, who can support you after your active time on the programme has ended.
DELTA (Disability Empowers Leadership Talent)
The DELTA offer includes tailored development workshops which aim to address participants’ personal development needs and potential barriers specific to disability. The programme also offers executive coaching, senior sponsorship and a range of tailored events.
All those who are successful in gaining a place on the FLS will be offered the opportunity to join the DELTA programme.
META and DELTA aim to improve collective visibility of these participants and accelerate their development in order to generate a more diverse and robust community for senior roles.
Senior Leaders Scheme (SLS)
The SLS is a cross-Government development scheme for high-potential deputy directors who have the potential to progress to the most senior roles in the Civil Service.
The SLS provides an integrated leadership development offer designed to advance the leadership capabilities of its participants. The scheme includes workshops alongside a blend of action learning sets, executive coaching, one-day virtual modules, and short sessions to complement your learning.
We aim to:
- Maximise opportunities for participants to build networks and profiles across government
- Instil a corporate career mind-set and the ability to work collaboratively across departmental and functional boundaries to deliver government priorities
- Enable participants to further develop the skills, knowledge and networks needed to advance their leadership capabilities.
The SLS promotes development at three levels: personal, organisational and societal. It is designed to enable your experience at a personal level and social level to impact the wider Civil Service through your leadership capabilities and ultimately those we serve.
Application Process: You must be a substantive deputy director (SCS1) to apply for the SLS programme and be sponsored by your line manager or another senior member of your department.
Selection consists of an online application, situational judgement test and a candidate statement. Successful candidates will be invited to an interview to be assessed against our Model of Potential before being offered a place on the programme.
Directors Leadership Programme (DLP)
DLP equips our most senior leaders with the skills, knowledge and networks they need to lead the Civil Service effectively, and deliver the services our communities need.
It develops key skills in:
- mastering systems thinking and leadership
- connecting to the frontline of public services
- operating effectively in government
- respecting and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
- communicating effectively
- leading and managing well.
DLP is a 12-month programme made up of both face to face and online sessions, including front line visits and action learning sets. There are also a series of further elective sessions to choose from based on personal development needs.
Timing: Timelines are currently being reviewed. It is anticipated that the next selection process will begin October 2024, with the programme starting January 2025.
Application Process: The programme is for high potential Directors. If you feel this programme is for you, contact your Head of Talent in the first instance.
See more Leadership and Management programmes, including Fast Stream and Beyond Boundaries.