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Section 1 of 6
Pathway 4: Introduction to this pathway

Introduction to this pathway

Social care leaders face significant and complex demands and pressures every day. Recognising these challenges, this pathway supports leaders in the sector by helping you to: 

  • reflect on your leadership practice 
  • make a significant effect in your role in children's social care 

Learning outcomes 

By the end of this self-led pathway, you will be able to:  

  • demonstrate the value of using the leadership capability framework to frame your professional development as a leader 
  • identify which aspects of the capabilities are your strengths and your areas for development, and what you can do to progress in each of them 
  • create an action plan for how you are going to use this framework - this plan will further your own development, support those you supervise, and improve your relationships with senior stakeholders

How long the training will take 

This pathway offers ideas for further development to explore at another time in your workplace context. It is divided into the four capabilities. You can either complete: 

  • the whole pathway 
  • one or more of the four capabilities and return later to complete the remaining ones

Each capability takes about 30 minutes to complete. Your progress will not be saved. 

Continuing professional development (CPD)

Use the Pathway 4: 4C leadership capability framework action plan to:

  • provide details of your continuing professional development (CPD) with your organisation and Social Work England
  • keep any notes or reflections from this leadership module

Pathway 4: 4C leadership capability framework action plan

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email support-for-social-workers-team@education.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

These resources have been developed by Frontline in collaboration with DfE.
Published: 30 January 2025
Last updated: 13 October 2025