This week we want to shout about NHS Horizons’ School for Change Agents, which starts on 15th February 2018. They are running five virtual learning sessions in February and March for anyone who wants to develop their knowledge and skills for making change happen. And it’s free!

The school is highly interactive and provides an opportunity for change agents and leaders in health and care to build their skills, confidence and networks for leading change.

We’ve just signed up and can too by simply submitting your email address on their webpage. Here are all the things you might need to know about School for Change Agents that they’ve told us:

What does the school do?

The School for Change Agents builds change agency which is the power, individually and collectively, to make a difference. It is about pushing the boundaries of what is possible, mobilising others and making change happen more quickly.

Often, being a change agent and challenging the status quo of the existing system can be a very lonely life. When you join The School for Change Agents, you become part of a community with like-minded people from across the globe. Many participants have described it as an extraordinarily empowering experience.

In addition, the school curriculum has been externally evaluated by the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, and shown to deliver significant impact for both individuals and their organisations in terms of:

• Knowledge and skills in leading change
• Building a sense of purpose and motivation to improve practice
• Ability to challenge the status quo and rock the boat without falling out
• Connecting with others to build support for change

The change skills that they teach in the school complement other methods and approaches such as quality improvement, Lean, programme management, and culture change.

Who takes part in The School for Change Agents?

The School for Change Agents is relevant to everyone who wants to develop their knowledge and skills for making change happen. They told us that many people from outside the usual definition of health and care will be joining in including change agents from the police service, education, housing, local government and community activists. They are anticipating around 3,000 enrolments for the 2018 term.

The School is online, which means that anyone who has an internet connection, a headset or a phone can take part from wherever they are. No previous experience of digital learning is required.

Key information about The School for Change Agents 2018

The School for Change Agents will run on Thursdays, 15.00-16.30 (GMT). The sessions will be led by Helen Bevan and Kathryn Perera. These are the topics we will cover each week:

• Thursday 15th February: Change starts with me: being a change agent
• Thursday 22nd February: The power to make a difference
• Thursday 1st March: Being resilient and dealing with resistance to change
• Thursday 8th March: From me to we: mobilising and organising for change
• Thursday 15th March: The future of change

They know that not everyone will be able to attend the live sessions. They will record each of the sessions and make them available on our website for viewing at a time that suits you.

Continuing Professional Development

The programme offers CPD points that can be claimed by a range of colleagues from doctors to finance specialists. They are also incorporating opportunities for nurses and other clinical professionals to use the school experience as part of their CPD reflective accounts for revalidation. In addition, participants can become a “certificated change agent” by taking part in all the school sessions (either in real time or by watching the recordings) and undertaking follow-up work to demonstrate that they have applied the principles.

You can enrol as a group

Joining as a group gives people more opportunity to discuss learning with their colleagues. School for Change Agents think this approach makes it more meaningful and easier to take action as a result. Get in contact with them for more information (see details below).

Join the school

You can join the 11,000 people from 44 countries across the world who have already taken the course. The curriculum has been co-produced with school alumni, making it focused on the needs of health and care staff (in the widest sense), patient and citizen leaders/activists and the challenges they face.

For 2018 they will also be introducing star guest speakers and special small group sessions using a platform called Zoom.

Registering and more information

Registering is quick and easy – sign up via their website. If you have any queries you can contact Rosie Redstone at rosalind.redstone@nhs.net or telephone 02476 627553. And check them out on Twitter at @sch4change hashtag #s4ca

Photo by Ross Findon