Warwickshire - Supporting a Bespoke Managers’ Core Skills Development Programme
Warwickshire commissioned Interface to work alongside the Practice and Learning Hub to support delivery of elements of its bespoke Managers’ Core Skills Development Programme for Children and Families Services.
The programme is a collaborative initiative, with some content being designed and delivered internally by Warwickshire’s own teams. We have been commissioned to co-deliver specific modules, bringing additional expertise in leadership development, reflective practice, relational management and workforce development within children’s services.
The programme forms part of Warwickshire’s wider commitment to strengthening management practice, supporting reflective leadership and embedding relational approaches across Children and Families Services.
Our Approach
Interface has worked closely in partnership with Warwickshire throughout the planning and delivery process to ensure all externally delivered modules align fully with the authority’s Relational Practice Framework, organisational values and workforce development priorities.
The partnership approach includes regular review, planning and reflective discussions throughout the life of the programme to ensure delivery remains responsive to the needs of attendees, emerging themes and local service priorities.
Interface has been commissioned to deliver modules focusing on:
- Wellbeing, inclusion and emotional containment for managers
- Working with teams and building psychologically safe cultures
- Coaching approaches within leadership and supervision
- Performance management and courageous conversations
All modules include dedicated reflection and embedding sessions designed to support managers to apply learning directly into practice, reflect on challenges and successes, and strengthen confidence in day-to-day leadership and management responsibilities.
Key Areas of Development
Across the programme, managers are exploring:
- Relational and strengths-based management approaches
- Supporting staff wellbeing during periods of pressure and change
- Understanding team dynamics and building resilient teams
- Developing psychologically safe team environments
- Using coaching conversations to strengthen confidence and accountability
- Managing performance and difficult conversations effectively
- Embedding reflective practice and continuous improvement
- Strengthening consistency of management practice across teams and services
Delivery is highly interactive and practice-focused, combining facilitated discussion, reflective learning, practical exercises, scenario-based activities and peer learning grounded in the realities of managing within Children and Families Services.
Looking Ahead
As the programme progresses, managers will continue to build confidence in reflective management practice, supervision, team leadership and performance conversations, while developing practical strategies to strengthen team culture and support staff effectively within complex service environments.
The collaborative approach between Warwickshire and Interface aims to ensure that learning remains relevant, practical and closely connected to the authority’s ongoing workforce development priorities.