Innovation programme help centre

There are approximately 20 places available on this year’s programme.

During the first phase of the programme there will be one day in person event to kick start the programme with the rest of the sessions delivered online.  If you progress to the Design & build stage, you will participate a five-day residential bootcamp in London.

The programme is designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge to develop and implement innovative ideas. Even if an idea does not progress to the end of the programme, you will be able to use the experience and skills gained from your time on the programme and apply these in your role as a social work leader.

Participants are encouraged to work independently throughout the programme with the support of innovation and innovation development sessions. We estimate you will need to commitment around 5 hours a week outside of working hours. Participants are expected to fully participate in all the online sessions.

At the initial application stage, we wouldn’t expect you to have all the answers, however the panel will be expecting clear answers on:

• The problem – what issue are you proposing to tackle and how does it currently affect children and families. Even if this is an issue in social work practice a clear link needs to be made to how this ultimately affects children and families.

• What is the idea – put simply what is it, what will it do, how will it do it and who will use it.

• Potential Impact – how this will positively impact children and families. Ideally some indication of the scale, nature and duration of the impact i.e. long-term benefits.

The programme doesn’t include ideation sessions – you need to have an idea in mind and be ready to develop your thinking around this from the start of the programme. The application form asks for an outline of the problem or issue you aim to address and how your idea will tackle this.

The programme is intensive and to get the most from it you will need to fully commit to participate in all aspects of the programme including the scheduled workshops.