This information is intended for line managers supporting a team member who is applying for the Elevate programme. This includes information about the application process, the Elevate programme, and the line manager workshops

For further information, please see the Elevate: How to apply webpage.

Line Manager Endorsement

Each applicant’s current line manager must give their support for the application by completing a separate Line Manager Endorsement Form.

1. The applicant will email you the link to the Line Manager Endorsement Form.
2. Complete the form by answering two questions:
   1. Please outline your reasons for supporting the individual in this application (up to 350 words)
   2. How else are you investing in this person’s development? What support will you give them beyond this programme? (up to 200 words)
3. Add the budget code/budget code name that will be used to pay the programme fee.
4. Finally, click Submit. After you submit, you have the opportunity to download your responses for your reference.
5. Please note: you must submit the ‘Line Manager Endorsement Form’ before the deadline. Deadline: Monday 16th October 2023, 23:59.
6. Inform the applicant that you have completed your form.

The Selection Process

1. Completed applications are anonymised and reviewed by the Selection Panel.
2. The final selection ensures a mixed cohort with a balance of participants across each of the participating universities. There will be 30 places in totsal: approximately 5 from each University.
3. Applicants and line managers will be notified of outcomes by the end of November.
4. Line managers will be responsible for following up with unsuccessful applicants to identify alternative opportunities to support their development with guidance provided by the Staff Development team.

Time Commitment

As a guide, the overall time commitment to engage effectively with the programme averages approximately 1.5 days per month (including scheduled and unscheduled activities).

Participants are expected to attend all sessions of the programme. Dates are available on the Elevate webpage.

Programme Structure

The programme comprises:

• three days, in-person workshops
• two online sessions, half day
• four 2-hour online Action Learning Groups, plus an introductory session
• a professional development or leadership project
• approx four sessions with a mentor

Programme fees

Each participant's Faculty/Division will be charged a participatory programme fee of £1,200 to cover costs.

Normally, the programme fee will come out of a staff development budget within your faculty / school / division / department. Speak to your School manager/Divisional head, if unsure.

If your staff member is unsure which programme to apply for

• They should read the programme webpages carefully
• They could speak to others who have participated in the programme
• They should attend an Information Session

If your staff member is considering applying for one of the other leadership programmes, such as the Female Leadership Initiative (FLi), they can indicate an alternative programme on the Elevate application form that they would like to be considered for if their Elevate application is unsuccessful.

Elevate sponsor workshops

Elevate is a leadership programme like no other, centring the lived experiences of participants and creating space for deep reflection and transformative conversations.

Managers and supervisors of participants (or ‘Elevatees’) play an important role as part of the Elevate community, whose active engagement facilitates the success and sustained impact of the programme.

These complementary workshops give you the opportunity to engage directly with Elevate in your role as a line manager/sponsor, experiencing for yourself the context of this transformative learning environment. They will be led by the Elevate programme facilitators: Dr Peggy Warren and her experienced team from the Ubele Initiative.

This will enable you to:

• Enhance your ability to effectively and confidently support the development and wellbeing of your Elevatee
• Deepen your own awareness of the impacts of organisational culture and equity
• Explore some of the systemic and social barriers experienced by women of colour
• Embed working cultures which embrace, value, and celebrate difference in the multiple ways it presents
• Connect with a fellow sponsors, contributing to a supportive peer learning community and sharing knowledge and practices

Who should attend these workshops?

Elevate applicants will be asked to confirm their identified sponsor as part of the application process. This should be someone who has direct responsibility and influence with regards to the individual’s work, career progression, development and wellbeing. This would normally be their line manager, but an alternative sponsor may be identified if more appropriate to the context/local structure.

Session details

Workshop 1: Elevate programme overview

Tuesday 23rd January 2024, 1-4pm. In person (Engineers House, Bristol, BS8 3NB)

Enhancing equity through examining, reviewing, and revising organisational practices which consciously and unconsciously contribute to inequities.

Workshop 2: Equity, reflexivity and me (as a leader)

Tuesday 23rd April 2024, 10am-1pm. Online.

When it comes to difference, what am I willing to approach, what do I generally avoid? Where next?