Lancaster has fully embraced a coaching and mentoring culture with a variety of options and opportunities to include coaching and mentoring into all aspects of University life. Most OD development programmes have a coaching element embedded and there are many skills workshops and a certificate in coaching to support these initiatives at all levels.

Interested in training to become a Coach? A Coaching Apprenticeship may be for you. Click on the link for further information.

The Head of Department (HoD) development programme aims to equip new HoDs, through a tailored programme of blended development interventions, with the knowledge, underpinning understanding and associated skills and behaviours aligned to the role.

The programme is appropriate for newly appointed HoDs, existing HoD’s, deputy HoDs and academics who may be considering applying for the role within the next year.

On appointment, all new HoDs will have a meeting with an Organisational Developer to discuss their development needs, outline the development offer available and agree a tailored programme of activities.

The development programme comprises the following elements outlined in the .

HoD Workshops

This workshop series covers the essentials that incoming HoDs need to know. Dates and times are shown below. HoD’s will be invited to these workshops by Organisational Development. The workshops are also appropriate for colleagues who may be considering the role of HoD, if you have a colleague they might be suitable for please ask them to contact OD.

For session descriptions, please see the .

HR System Demonstration - There are no sessions currently scheduled, a recording is available upon request. Please contact OD.

Health and Safety - The Health and Safety team will be in touch with HoD’s directly to arrange this session.

Academic Promotions - TBC

Academic Probation - Tuesday 8th October 2024, 2pm-3pm (Online)

Student Support Structures - Tuesday 25th February 2025, 1pm-2pm (In-Person)

Finance and Budgeting - TBC

Legal Responsibilities - Corporate Governance - Friday 17th January 2025, 1.30pm-3.30pm (In-Person)

Legal Responsibilities - Staff and Students - Wednesday 23rd April 2025, 10am-12.30pm (In-Person)

Research Support

The Research Support Office provide Information and Guidance specifically for HoD's, please see the useful documents linked from this webpage.

For specific advice and guidance please contact your Faculty Contacts. The Faculty Research Development Partnership Manager will conduct an induction with all new HoD's.

For general enquiries regarding HoD development, please email OD.

A Managers Handbook has been developed to support senior academic and professional services leaders and managers to feel effective in their role, with appropriate signposts for further information and support. The handbook will be useful if you are a new Head of Department and will be a key point of reference beyond.

There is a comprehensive range of resources available in the Management Resources - self-directed study section.

This training supports PDR Reviewers in conducting relevant and quality PDR conversations with their reviewees.

It concentrates on the skills and behaviours required to facilitate meaningful conversations.

Please complete the PDR E-Learning prior to attending and access the PDR webpages and FAQs for guidance on the process, setting objectives and planning development.

For more information and training dates for PDR's, please see the PDR Reviewer training pages.

Workshop Aim:

The University’s aim is that all candidates have a positive and equitable experience at all stages of recruitment and selection process.

This workshop aims to ensure that participants are equipped with the understanding, knowledge and skills to undertake fair and equitable recruitment and selection, ensuring that all candidates have a positive experience, and the best candidate is ultimately selected.

Target Audience:

All panel chairs and all members of the recruiting panel are required to participate in Recruiting the Best training prior to engaging in any recruitment activity at the University.

Panel chairs need to attend the Recruiting the Best workshop. The workshops are held throughout the year. Panel chairs that have previously attended a workshop are required to take the Recruiting the Best online refresher course every three years to be kept abreast of best practice and legislative changes.

Panel members can participate in Recruiting the Best training in one of two ways. They can either attend the Recruiting the Best workshop, if places are available, or they can complete the Recruiting the Best online refresher course as an alternative.

The refresher online training is to be completed every three years to be kept abreast of best practice and legislative changes.'

Objectives:

This workshop ensures that all those involved in recruitment:

• Understand how to remain compliant by adopting legally informed best practice approaches throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
• Understand how to plan and conduct the key stages involved in the successful attraction, selection of the best candidate, including:
  • Designing a role that meets the needs of the department / division
  • Writing the job description, person specification and advert
  • Attracting a broad and diverse range of strong applicants
  • Recognise how unconscious bias can impact on our decisions and identify positive steps to mitigate unconscious bias throughout the process
  • Conducting equitable shortlisting
  • Designing and conducting effective interviews and assessment centres
  • Candidate scoring and final decision making
  • Making the offer and giving objective feedback to candidates

Dates

For dates please see the OD Website.

Pre-workshop learning

You are recommended to read the Lancaster University Recruitment & Selection Guidelines, available on the people section of the staff intranet and prepare any questions this raises – there will be a short opportunity with a HR Partner within the workshop to help you answer these.

There is a comprehensive range of resources available in the Management Resources - self-directed study section.

Recruitment Safeguarding Workshop

This online training is designed to help staff develop the best practice for recruiting and vetting individuals working and volunteering with children and adults at risk. This session is targeted at line managers of staff in roles where they could potentially be working with adults or children at risk and all roles which require a DBS check.

For dates please see the OD Website.

The Staff Development Portal acts as a hub for wider, institutional development.