Leaders Plus NHS Fellowship
Supporting Working Parents in the NHS to navigate the demands of work and family life
The Leaders Plus NHS Fellowship is a career development programme designed specifically for NHS clinical and non-clinical parents who want to progress their career without sacrificing family life.
Apply now →
Accepting applications for a September 2026 start
Accredited by the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (25 CPD credits)
27 hours of structured learning towards your CPD requirements (please confirm eligibility with your professional body)
What you will gain
Programme impact — NHS 25 cohort
By the end of the Fellowship you will have…
Career clarity & momentum
A clear vision for your career alongside family life, with a practical action plan and the confidence to pursue it.
A powerful peer network
Lasting connections with ambitious NHS parents from clinical and non-clinical roles across trusts nationwide.
Fresh perspectives
Unique insights from senior leaders outside the NHS to help you see your challenges and opportunities differently.
Confidence & self-belief
Tools to tackle imposter syndrome, set boundaries, and advocate for yourself at work — without sacrificing family life.
Leadership skills
Practical skills in delegation, difficult conversations, feedback, communication and workload management to help you lead at your best.
Sponsors & visibility
An understanding of how to build sponsorship and networks that actively support your progression into senior roles.
Wellbeing & balance
Research-backed strategies to reduce overwhelm, manage your time, and feel more present — both at work and at home.
25 FMLM CPD Credits
27 hours of structured learning towards your CPD requirements (please confirm eligibility with your professional body).
100%
of Fellows reported a positive impact
84% highly positive impact · 16% positive impact
70%
promoted or took a significant step to a more senior role — 81% attributed the Fellowship as high impact on this, 19% some impact
49%
received a pay rise — average increase of 11%
95%
took proactive career action during the programme
89%
more confident about promotion — avg. 156% increase
78%
pursued a new opportunity they wouldn’t have before
92%
more confident balancing career with family — avg. 138% increase
Fellows who attributed their participation in the programme to improvements in wellbeing & performance
What Fellows say
“The NHS Fellowship was life changing. Allowing me to develop skills to take up space, explore opportunities and develop my network. Sharing ideas with like-minded people was very refreshing. The openness and honesty of the group was highly impactful.”
ED Registrar
“During my time on the programme, I achieved the best work-life balance I’ve ever had. My confidence and self-esteem grew, and I finally turned passive thoughts into real action. New opportunities opened up because I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. Work doesn’t just mean my job anymore; it now includes all the activities that genuinely fulfil me.”
NHS Pharmacist
“This is a truly life changing experience. It has shown me the value of the difficult conversation and given me the courage to ask for more.”
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Who should apply
Selection criteria
- ✓You work in, or with, the NHS (clinical or non-clinical)
- ✓You are a parent or carer with a child under 18 (including those on maternity, shared parental, or adoption leave)
- ✓Your current or most recent role involves responsibility (management or leadership of people, projects or budgets)
- ✓You are passionate about continuing to develop your career
- ✓You are willing to actively support other parents on the programme
- ✓You can commit approximately 4 hours per month to the programme
The Fellowship is fully inclusive and particularly welcomes applications from those currently under represented in senior leadership. Places are limited — apply early to secure your place.
Apply now →
What’s included
Accepting applications for a September 2026 start
6-month programme — 7 modules
A mix of in-person and online workshops, peer support, and targeted resources. Approximately 4 hours per month.
1
Planning for impact Online · 2h
Meet your peer group. Explore the parental staircase model and identify practical steps to overcome the challenges you face as an NHS parent leader.
2
Liberating assumptions & negotiating what you need Online · 2h
Work through limiting assumptions holding you back, build your vision for career and family, and use research-based tools to negotiate what you need.
3
Vision, authority & self-compassion In person · Full day
Share your vision with peers, tackle imposter syndrome, and explore how authority and status shape career progression.
4
Fresh perspectives from outside the NHS Online · 2.5h
Network with senior leaders from other sectors who share how they’ve navigated demanding careers alongside family life.
5
Strengths, boundaries & sponsorship In person · Full day
Explore your unique strengths, learn how to set boundaries, and understand how networks and sponsors can accelerate your progression.
6
Action planning & momentum Online · 2h
Use peer consultancy to work through challenges in your longer-term plan and lock in tried-and-tested methods to make goals stick.
7
Delegation, feedback & celebration In person · Full day
Master easeful delegation and difficult conversations, celebrate your achievements, and discover how to keep momentum going beyond the Fellowship.
Optional workshops also included
Solo parents (2h online)
Partner workshops (2 × 1.5h online)
Minoritised backgrounds panel (1.5h online)
Senior leader roundtable for your trust
Have questions? We’d love to help.
Book a call with one of the Leaders Plus team or drop us an email — we’re happy to chat through whether the Fellowship is right for you.
Time commitment
Approximately 4 hours per month alongside your work and childcare. Three in-person workshops (London; Manchester or Birmingham on demand) plus four online sessions.
Cost
£2,690 + VAT
Part funded places are available (RCEM and RCPsych).
Hardship-funded places are available for those facing financial difficulty. Find out about eligibility →
Support with Funding
Many Fellows are funded by their employer but we know it can be difficult to access funding. That’s why we created resources to help. A step-by-step guide with advice on how to ask and a business case for investment.
Step-by-step funding guide
Practical advice on how to approach your employer and ask for funding for the Fellowship.
Access the guide →
Business case for investment
A ready-made business case document to share with your manager or finance team.
Access the document →
Part-funded places available
We are proud to partner with leading royal colleges who generously part-fund places for parents in their specialties.
Royal College of Emergency Medicine
Part-funded places for RCEM members, generously supported by RCEM.
Find out more about RCEM places →
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Part-funded places for RCPsych London and South Eastern division members, kindly supported by RCPsych.
Find out more about RCPsych places →Ready to take the next step?
Join NHS leaders across clinical and non-clinical roles who are building careers without sacrificing family life.
Apply for the Fellowship Accepting Applications · Programme starts: 22 September 2026