Welcome and booking form
Dear Prospective Participant
Congratulation on being nominated to participate in the ‘Best Start leadership programme’
2014-15.
At the end of this letter you will find a participation form that we ask you to complete and
return to us as an email attachment by Monday 18 August 2014 (Midwives) / 1 September
2014 (Looked After Children’s Nurses).
Please note that there is a high demand for places on this programme. If we have not
received your form by this date, we will offer your place to those on our reserve waiting
list. Please read the information in this letter to help you decide whether you are able to
commit to participating in the programme.
Why are we running this programme?
This programme began in 2012 to support leadership development among midwives across
Scotland. For the last two years, we have supported 120 midwives through the programme,
building confidence and skills in managing change, project planning and being a leader in
NHS Scotland.
This year, we are continuing to offer the programme to midwives from across Scotland and
also, for the first time, widening the reach of the programme to nurses working with looked
after children. Both midwives and looked after children’s nurses are challenged with
improving the quality of the service we provide in a rapidly changing landscape.
To reflect this development, we have changed the name of the programme from ‘Delivering
quality through midwifery leadership’ to ‘The Best start leadership programme’. Both
midwives and looked after children’s nurses are key to ensuring that the care we provide
supports children and families to have the best possible start.
What does the programme involve?
The content of the programme is very similar to our two earlier years, as the formula appears
to be a winning one, with very positive evaluations (see these at:
http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-theme-initiative/maternity-care/aboutus/current-projects/delivering-quality-through-midwifery-leadership-programme-20122014.aspx)
We have had so much positive feedback from staff who have taken part in previous years
(and from their managers):
“The coaching was awesome and I think is something that all staff should have the
opportunity to try. This process has changed my life. Thank you.” (Midwife from
survey)
“I wish it is something that I had had years ago, it would have made such a
difference to my career.” (Midwife interview 1)
1
Welcome and booking form
What we offer you:





Opportunities to learn about leadership, quality improvement and project
management. We will do this through a combination of approaches: four weekly
worksheets during September and face to face sessions at the national events.
A structure to embed and develop your leadership skills through implementing a local
quality improvement project. We will give you guidance about planning a project and
evaluating its impact.
The opportunity to build supportive networks with established and emerging leaders
from across Scotland.
Access to practical and project management advice and support from the maternal
and child health team at NES. This can be done by email, on the telephone, by
videoconference or face to face.
A series of one to one and group telephone coaching sessions will be provided by
experienced leadership consultants. To find out more about coaching, have a look at:
http://www.internationalinstituteofcoaching.org/what_is_coaching.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaching
What you will need to do:






Attend the two national events on October 6 to October 7 and one day in March 2015.
Actively engage with the learning opportunities. This will mean that you will need to
set aside time each week during the programme (September 2014 – March 2015) to
undertake a variety of activities including the worksheets, coaching and project work.
Have some basic IT literacy – you will need to be able to regularly check and respond
to emails, to open attachments, to negotiate e-learning resources and use Microsoft
word to complete electronic documentation such as driver diagrams.
Work proactively at a local level to plan, implement and evaluate your project. This
will involve negotiation and collaboration with managers, your colleagues, other
professionals and service users. You will need to negotiate locally with your manager
for any time and resources you need to successfully implement your local project.
Provide the programme team with updates about the progress of your local projects –
this will include completing a project plan (or driver diagram), a project update half
way through the programme (of around 500 words) and a final project poster and
report (of around 1000 words).
Respond to the leadership consultants and negotiate with them when and how you
wish to have your one to one coaching. Give the leadership consultants adequate
notice if you are unable to keep a coaching appointment.
If, having read all of this information, you feel able to commit to participate in all aspects of
the programme from September 2014 – the end of March 2015, please complete the
attached form and return it as an email attachment to Swavik Dittmer, administrator for the
Maternal and Child health team, at swavik.dittmer@nes.scot.nhs.uk by the closing date of
Monday 18 August 2014 / 1 September 2014.
I look forward to working with you on the ‘Best Start Leadership programme’,
With warm wishes
Mary
Dr Mary Ross-Davie, Educational Project Manager, Maternal and Child Health
2
Welcome and booking form
Best Start Leadership programme 2014-15
Name:
Health Board:
Date:
I am able to attend the first national event in Edinburgh on 6th and 7th October 2014.
I understand that NES will book and pay for reasonable travel and accommodation
expenses for those living more than two and half hours from an event venue. I agree to
advise the NES team of my travel and accommodation requirements at least six weeks
before each event.
I will engage with the one to one telephone coaching programme.
I understand that as part of the programme I will plan, implement and evaluate a small
local quality improvement project (either alone or as part of a team) by the end of March
2015.
I have regular access to an email account and am able to receive programme
information by email. Please tell us the email address you check most regularly:
I, [name], wish to participate in the Best Start leadership programme 2014-15.
Signature:
Date:
3