Leadership training and resources

The Introduction to compassionate leadership sessions are for the whole sector. The sessions are tailored to those with little to no prior knowledge of compassionate leadership.

This session explores what it means to lead with humanity, courage and clarity. It presents compassionate leadership as a practical, evidence‑based approach that improves well-being, strengthens decision‑making, and builds high‑performing, values‑driven teams.

You’ll learn the four key behaviours of compassionate leadership: attending, understanding, empathising and helping. 

We’ll explore how these shape culture and create environments where people can thrive. We also challenge common myths, showing how compassion strengthens accountability, clarity and performance.

The session looks at how to lead with compassion both day‑to‑day and during times of pressure, change or crisis. Through discussion and reflection, you’ll explore how to communicate openly, navigate uncertainty, set boundaries and make clear decisions while maintaining care and connection.

Practical exercises help you apply these ideas to your own work or area by building trust, handling difficult conversations, and leading with empathy and presence.

By the end, you will:

- understand the impact of compassionate leadership on performance and well-being

- feel confident applying compassion in real situations

- have practical tools to embed into your everyday leadership approach.

This session is for managers and leaders at all levels in social care.

The session introduces emotional intelligence (EI) as a key skill for effective, people‑centred leadership.

We’ll explore the five core elements of EI: self‑awareness, self‑regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills. 

We’ll also discuss how the five core elements shape communication, team culture and psychological safety.

The session focuses on responding thoughtfully, communicating clearly, and building strong relationships. Through reflection and practical tools, you’ll learn how to recognise emotional triggers, manage your responses, and stay calm under pressure. 

There is a strong focus on empathy, boundaries and compassionate communication to help leaders manage the emotional demands of their role while supporting others.

By the end, you will:

- understand how emotional intelligence improves leadership and team dynamics

- build skills to stay grounded and communicate effectively

- gain practical tools to support wellbeing, prevent burnout, and strengthen relationships.

This session explores professional curiosity as a key leadership skill that improves thinking, reduces risk, and strengthens decision‑making.

You’ll learn how curiosity helps leaders question assumptions, see different perspectives, and make more confident, informed decisions - especially in complex and high‑pressure environments.

The session introduces a simple four‑step approach: clarity, inquiry, perspective and action.

These approaches will helping you move beyond first impressions and uncover what really matters.

We also explore how leaders can model curiosity to build open, reflective team cultures by asking better questions, slowing down thinking, and encouraging honest conversations.

By the end, you will:

- understand how curiosity improves judgement and decision‑making

- feel confident asking the right questions in complex situations

- have practical tools to embed curiosity into everyday leadership practice.

This session introduces a practical, people‑centred approach to honest communication by balancing clarity with compassion.

You’ll learn how to have open, direct conversations in a way that builds trust, strengthens relationships, and supports growth. Instead of avoiding difficult discussions, the session shows how compassionate honesty creates clarity, accountability and psychological safety.

We explore why tough conversations can feel challenging because of fear of upsetting others or wanting to be liked. We’ll provide you with simple tools to make them easier and more effective.

You’ll learn how to:

- start and handle difficult conversations with confidence

- communicate clearly and respectfully

- listen actively and respond with empathy

- give and receive feedback in a constructive way.

By the end, you will:

- feel more confident having honest and supportive conversations

- have practical tools to communicate with clarity and care

- be able to build stronger, more open and trusting team relationships.

Free compassionate leadership sessions – Social Care Wales 
We often run short sessions about compassionate leadership. Keep an eye out on our events page for the latest dates.

Course: an introduction to leading with kindness and compassion in health and social care – The King’s Fund 
A free course about compassionate leadership.

Who is the qualification for?

This qualification is knowledge-based.  It’s designed for learners who are aspiring managers but are not yet in a leadership and management role within the health and social care sector. 

The qualification is suitable for learners who have successfully completed

- Level 2 Certificate in Health and Social Care, or a recognised equivalent

- Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care: Practice (Adults), or a recognised equivalent

- Level Certificate 3 in Health and Social Care: Practice (Children and Young People), or a recognised equivalent

- Advanced GCE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare.

Find out more

Follow this link for more information. 

Who is the qualification for?

This qualification is practice-based. It’s for people with experience in a leadership or management role within the health and social care sector, who meet additional regulatory requirements which apply to some work settings.

It's suitable for learners who:

- are looking to demonstrate the competencies set out in the qualification as part of their work role, and who meet any work setting minimum age regulations

- have completed an appropriate Level 4 Leadership and Management qualification, who have the opportunity to put theory into practice, and meet any additional regulatory requirements

Find out more

Follow this link for more information. 

What you'll study

An introduction to managing practice quality.

Managing demand and capacity evidencing performance and quality.

Leading and managing for quality.

Entry requirements

You will normally be expected to:

- have a recognised professional qualification in social work (or similar for non-social work staff) and registration with Social Care Wales, the General Social Care Council, the Scottish Social Services Council or the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (or equivalent body for non-social work staff where applicable)

- have a minimum of three years post qualifying experience

- occupy a front line management or senior practitioner position in a social care setting in Wales, or have been identified as an ‘emergent leader’ with impending career progression, and have the support of your employing organisation

- have the ability to study at postgraduate level.

Award

Postgraduate Certificate in Managing Practice Quality in Social Care (60 CATS credits at postgraduate level 7) from Oxford Brookes University.

How to apply

To book your place, you'll need to speak to your local authority workforce development team.

This is similar to the Team Manager Development Programme but aimed specifically at those working in Mental Health services. This programme is delivered by IPC Oxford Brookes.

Level 7 Postgraduate Certificate (accredited by Oxford Brookes University): 

The course is split into the following elements divided into three modules: 

- managing quality of practice 

- leadership skills 

- managing staff/compassionate leadership 

- managing service developments and change 

- managing performance/use of data 

- finance.

Learning commitment

Each module will require two days attendance face to face as a minimum requirement (total of six days classroom study) 

A recommendation of two days protected study time per module 

A commitment of 12 days study in total. In addition, candidates may be required to dedicate additional time to complete assignments. 

Find out more

Follow this link for more information. 

What the programme covers

Developing as a leader.

Shaping social care.

Delivering better outcomes.

Entry requirements

You need to:

- have a first degree and/or recognised professional qualification in social work (or similar for non-social work staff) or equivalent professional experience

- occupy a middle management position in social care in Wales

- have the support of your employing organisation

- have the ability to study at postgraduate level.

Award

Postgraduate certificate in Strategic and Operational Leadership in Social Care from Oxford Brookes University which equates to 60 CATS credits at postgraduate level 7.

How to apply

To book your place, you'll need to speak to your local authority workforce development team.

This programme is a non-accredited programme, developed in collaboration with ADSS Cymru and Social Care Wales, and delivered by IPC Oxford Brookes.

This programme is aimed at aspiring managers in social care who are looking to bridge the gap between team management and middle management roles. This is a ‘step up’ programme that prepares team managers or equivalent professionals for middle management positions, such as Service Manager, Principal Officer, Operational, Locality, or Group Manager.

The programme aims to provide participants with the opportunity to explore and evaluate their readiness for middle management responsibilities. It offers a supportive environment where participants can ‘test the waters’ of middle management, gaining valuable insights and guidance.

You do not need to have completed the Team manager development programme to apply for this programme. However, you should have at least three years of post-qualifying experience, some management experience, and the endorsement of your employing organisation to take part.

How to apply

To book your place, you'll need to speak to your local authority workforce development team. 

E-mail ipc_courses@brookes.ac.uk or follow this link for more information. 

This programme is aimed at people working as a head of service in a local authority social services department, and people with equivalent responsibilities in the third sector. 

Co-designed with Social Care Wales, this programme is a way for senior leaders across social care to come together to explore issues facing the sector. It’s an opportunity for people to learn together and to find ways to collaborate.  

Filled with practical and real-life insight, this programme aims to build networks and break down barriers to solving the wicked issues of the sector. 

The programme:

- is aimed at leaders within the social care sector who want to learn how to lead and who are looking to make a difference to systemic issues

- takes 12-18 months to complete

- is delivered in person and online.

Find out more 

Follow this link for more information.

This is a programme for new directors of social services who have been in post for less than three years. 

The programme is structured around key speakers, action learning sets and coaching.

This programme is run on a demand led basis. If you would like to know more, please e-mail leadership.development@socialcare.wales.