Guidance

Annex A: learning and development pathway (new to sponsorship)

Published 23 May 2022

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1. Department sponsorship induction

Signs up to a dedicated sponsorship induction within the first 3 months in the role:

  • 1-2-1s with existing sponsorship team members and departmental functional contacts e.g. finance, HR, digital etc
  • visits/induction with the sponsored bodies and 1-2-1s with key contacts
  • familiarisation with centrally issued guidance e.g. Partnerships between departments and arm’s length bodies: code of good practice, MPM, Cabinet Office Spending Controls, Functional Standards, Cabinet Office Public Bodies Guidance Handbook
  • familiarisation with bespoke departmental guidance and body-specific documents e.g. Framework Document, business plans/corporate strategy, annual report and accounts, ALB website;
  • shadowing/attendance at meetings with the bodies e.g. quarterly accountability reviews

2. Civil Service Learning

2.1 Relationship Management

Advising, briefing and drafting (7 hours 10 minutes, paid course)

This topic will include writing briefings, submissions, ministerial correspondence, writing for different audiences and drafting ‘lines to take’. You’ll also learn how to present an argument even-handedly and with impact so leaders can make timely and well informed decisions.

Identifying customer and stakeholder requirements (free course)

This topic also covers the importance of identifying and consulting the right customers and stakeholders in the first place. You learn how best to communicate with those groups and how to make the most of their involvement throughout the project lifecycle.

Introduction to communicating effectively (Blended) (free course)

This gives you the basics that you need to know to start communicating effectively with your customers. You will be able to identify effective and ineffective communications in order to help improve your own communication skills.

2.2 Strategy and objectives

Policy framing: Problem structuring and analytical thinking (£528+VAT)

It will give you the skills to think in a clearer, more structured way. This will enable you to present arguments effectively and swiftly, as well as helping you be focused and efficient when assessing options and making decisions.

Setting SMART objectives (pdf, 77.5 KB)

Objectives set out what a business is trying to achieve. It is important for leaders and managers to get the process of setting objectives right, as inadequately formulated objectives could guide an individual, a team or an organisation in the wrong direction. Specific and measurable objectives provide a definition of the success of a project or initiative.

2.3 Supplementary learning

Open Learn

2.4 Public appointments system and process

Introduction to Public Appointments; The Public Appointments Process; Reappointments

Summary: This set of three training sessions is offered around quarterly by the Cabinet Office’s Public Appointments Systems Team. They are for anyone in departments new to, or needing a refresh on, the regulatory system and processes for public appointments. Please contact [email protected] for information about the next available training.

2.5 Professional and qualifications

Consider courses from the Corporate Governance Institute

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