The First Line Leaders programme has recently restarted, providing a four-day leadership course for Sergeants and those in equivalent or aspiring leadership roles. The programme is designed to support the development of effective leadership, covering areas such as leadership behaviours, psychological safety, professional standards, and building inclusive, supportive teams.
The Federation recently attended Griffin Park and Culham to provide subject matter input, focusing on how we support line managers in navigating policies, processes, and the practical realities of people management.
Challenges Facing Line Managers
From our perspective, this was a valuable opportunity to bring a real-world lens into the learning environment. We were able to speak openly about the challenges line managers regularly face, including managing conduct and performance issues, supporting officer welfare, and balancing operational demands with leadership responsibilities.
A key strength of the programme is its ability to bridge the gap between theory and application in a safe learning environment. It allows supervisors to explore policy alongside the reality of leadership, ask questions, and test their thinking without consequence. That space is important, as it reflects the complexity of the role rather than presenting leadership as a purely procedural exercise.
Federation Support for Leaders
We also used the opportunity to highlight how the Federation can support line managers proactively. There can sometimes be a perception that the Federation is only engaged once issues arise. In practice, we are often able to support much earlier, helping supervisors understand processes, avoid common pitfalls, and approach situations in a fair and proportionate way.
As the programme continues throughout the year, we welcome the focus on supporting first-line leaders and the value this brings to those stepping into leadership roles. We are equally looking forward to contributing to the Midline Leaders programme when it restarts, ensuring that the Federation's voice continues to support colleagues as they progress through their leadership journey.
