Leadership Support Programme

Programme Outline

My Home Life Northern Ireland (MHLNI) aims to improve the quality of life for people living, dying, visiting and working in nursing and residential homes.

The Leadership Support Programme commences over a 6-10 month period, there are four initial workshops followed by six action learning sessions and a validation event.

Feedback from participants demonstrates that the leadership support programme enables managers to develop their leadership skills which in turn impacts positively on residents, relatives and staff.

Participants focus on quality improvement and improving practice as part of their everyday work. This is an opportunity for leaders on the programme to share initiatives and good practice with the group. This peer support is valued by leaders on the programme.

Ongoing Research and evaluation are interlinked throughout each cohort.

Register for the programme

The My Home Life Leadership Support Programme commences in Autumn of each year.  This 6-10 month programme begins with four leadership workshops (1 x 3 days plus 1 x 1 day) which are followed by six action learning sessions, four quality improvement workshops, validation day and celebration day.

All participants will receive ongoing support from the My Home Life Northern Ireland Team.

The dates & venue for the programme will be confirmed once all Expressions of Interests have been received.

For the last three years, the programme has been delivered using a hybrid model of engaging remotely using video conferencing and face to face sessions. This hybrid model has worked with great success, receiving very positive feedback from the leaders.

Who has completed the programme

There has been an increase in the uptake of the MHL programme from 15 managers, at the outset of the programme in 2013, to 86 leaders completing the programme in 2023. Our programme for 2023/24 has seen the largest increase of participants to date with over 100 leaders requesting a place on the programme. The programme has expanded to facilitate 5 cohorts of managers throughout Northern Ireland.

In total 279 participants have completed the My Home Life (NI) Leadership Support Programme. These leaders are from a diverse range of care homes (urban, rural, residential, nursing), representing approximately 1 in 7 care homes in Northern Ireland.

Why you should register

• The MHL programme is FREE. The programme is fully funded by the Department of Health.
• A backfill payment of £1440.00 is payable to each Care Home on participant's completion of the Programme. (Backfill payment can be used to fund additional staff hours, participant's travel expenses or development of activities within the Care Home).
• There are no essays or written assignments to be completed.
• We aim to deliver the Programme at convenient venues to minimise travel time.
• Opportunity to meet individuals who are going through the same experiences and challenges as you and the peer support that the MHL Leadership Programme encourages and enables.
• 5 of the 6 nominations for ‘Home Manager of the Year 2023‘ either completed /or are currently a participant of the MHL Leadership Support Programme.
• Advancement of leaders’ skills and strategies to drive forward transformational change.
• Embedding a calmer and more relational atmosphere for residents and staff.
• Increased resilience of managers with less risk of burn-out.
• Reduced staff turnover and sickness.
• Care homes drive forward their own quality agenda.
• Improved relationships with external agencies.

“I’ve been a care home manager for 20 years and this has been the most rewarding programme for me as a manager. I would to do it all over again!” Louise McCloskey, Home Manager, Derry, Londonderry

How it works

Each Leadership Support Programme group comprises 16 care home managers who, over a 10-month period, are guided and supported by professional facilitators to advance their skills, engage with evidence-based, relationship-centred practice and resolve the complex everyday issues that impact upon the quality of their service.

The aim of the programme is to offer care home leaders the space and support to help them reflect upon their own practice and that of their staff and engage in a ‘journey’ of increased positive culture change within their own homes.

The programme works with leaders at whatever level they find themselves, to facilitate their personal growth as individuals and as professionals leading change.

The programme begins with a four-day introductory workshop (1 x 3 days + 1 x 1 day), followed by six monthly action learning sessions, 4 quality improvement workshops, validation day and celebration day.

Participant Feedback

• The programme is supported by Ulster University, DoHNI, RQIA, Age NI, IHCP.

Hear from others who have been on the programme.