Funded leadership development opportunity

It is widely recognised that diversity at the most senior levels of organisations helps improve the way they are run and managed. Increasing diversity within the governance of professional associations (ie Board and Committee structures) is essential for boards to stay informed and responsive and to navigate the fast-paced and complex changes facing the association sector. Boards whose members have different backgrounds and experience are more likely to encourage debate and to make better decisions.

It is also recognised that associations represented by the Allied Health Professions Federation (AHPF) have overwhelming gender and racial bias and do not represent our professions.

The AHPF is committed to making improvements in the governance of all its member associations and is funding access to a leadership programme which will support members to take on strategic leadership roles within their professional association.

The programme, which is free to successful applicants, covers strategic corporate issues such as finance, governance, leadership skills, risk management and many other aspects that will help prepare you to become more involved in your association.

The AHPF is now recruiting members to join the programme from early 2022. The time commitment is estimated to be around 50-60 hours spread over approximately a six month period. There will be mainly online learning with others, some of it during the week, but some of the learning will be self-directed in your own time.

There will be core modules that you will be required to attend and the dates for these will be advertised on the AHPF website shortly.

Applications are open to all allied health professionals but the AHPF especially welcomes members from Black and minority ethnic groups, LGBTQI+ communities, as well as members with disabilities.

To apply, please send a letter of application which covers the following:

1. Which profession you come from and confirming you are a member of your professional association (eg the RCSLT)
2. Why you want to complete this programme – for example, have you already been involved in the RCSLT and feel inspired to do more in order to help shape the profession?
3. What you would like to contribute to your professional association, when you have completed the programme – for example, do you aim to serve on an RCSLT Committee or on the Board of Trustees?

To find further information about the programme please visit the AHPF website.

Letters of application must be received by Tuesday 30 November 2021 and sent to info@ahpf.org.uk.

Please note that this programme is not intended to support AHPs in their professional clinical careers but will focus on how they can contribute to their professional association.