Cornwall care workers offered new route towards leadership roles

Ask most care workers how you get from the floor to the office and the answer, more often than not, is the same: put your head down, put in the years, and hope a manager’s job comes up when you’re ready for it. A new programme launching in Cornwall wants to open a second route, and start it a lot earlier than that.

The Future Care Leader Programme has been commissioned by Proud to Care Cornwall to help adult social care workers who are right at the start of their leadership journey build confidence, leadership behaviours and practical skills, well before they ever apply for a manager’s job.

Building a pathway to Registered Manager

The programme’s stated aim is to build the next generation of care leaders in Cornwall and create a clear progression pathway towards Registered Manager roles, rather than leaving people to work that route out for themselves.

Cornwall Council Cabinet Lead for Adult Social Care and Health Partnerships, Cllr Jim McKenna, said strong leadership was one of the biggest factors influencing care workers’ wellbeing, retention, quality of care and organisational performance.

“The programme forms part of Cornwall’s care workforce strategy which aims to support people to experience good work and deliver excellent social care, making sure they are recognised and valued for their contribution within the health and care sector,” Jim said.

“We are committed to developing and supporting our care workers and to attracting and retaining a workforce that reflects the community we serve.”

Learning built around shift patterns, not classrooms

Following a competitive process, Diagram Learning Studio was appointed to design and deliver the programme, combining digital learning techniques with immersive, scenario-based learning experiences.

Chad Barrigan and Vicky Hewison, of Diagram Learning Studio, said they were excited to be working with Proud to Care Cornwall.

“At Diagram Learning Studio, we believe leadership is best developed through practice,” Chad and Vicky said. “That’s why our learning uses realistic scenarios, giving people a safe environment to explore challenges, discuss different perspectives and learn alongside their peers.”

Jim said the programme had been intentionally designed around the realities of working in adult social care, where staff are often shift workers juggling competing demands with limited time for formal learning.

“Rather than relying on lengthy classroom sessions, participants learn through immersive situations based on leadership challenges they are likely to encounter in a care setting,” he said.

Shaped by Cornwall’s own care workers

The training has been developed with people already working in Cornwall’s adult social care sector, bringing together experienced leaders to help shape the content, scenarios and learning experience, so the programme reflects the real challenges and opportunities care professionals in the county actually face.

The focus throughout is on people who are relatively early in their leadership journey, rather than on established managers looking to develop further.

When applications open

Applications are expected to open ahead of the first cohort around November 2026. Further details on eligibility, cohort dates and how to apply will be announced through Proud to Care Cornwall’s communications channels in the meantime.

Anyone weighing up a move into care, or already working in it and wondering what comes next, can find out more about careers in the sector on the Proud to Care Cornwall website.

📷Still from the Future Care Leader Programme launch video, Proud to Care Cornwall