Expressions of interest are invited to bid for grant funding to develop and manage a programme of leadership development for Directors of Children's Services (DCSs) and other senior leaders who are close to stepping up to that role.
A range of high quality leadership development provision is currently being delivered to DCSs and other senior leaders ('aspirant DCSs') which includes leadership programmes tailored to individual DCS and aspirant DCS needs, mentoring support for newly-appointed DCSs and a regional succession planning initiative. The provision was developed, with DfE funding, by the National College for School Leadership and it is currently being managed by the Virtual Staff College Plus Ltd under a grant agreement until 31 March 2012. Much of the delivery of the provision is sub-contracted.
The Department is seeking to award grant funding for the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2015 to an organisation capable of maintaining the excellent quality that already exists and developing the provision in cost-effective ways that take account of decreasing central resource and the need for greater sector investment. The successful bidder will need to work closely with the Department's strategic partners, including the Children's Improvement Board.
Expressions of interest are invited by 12.00 noon on Monday 19 December 2011.
