Welcome to the Race Equity Leadership & Development Programme Guide
This guide contains key information about the programme and how to get involved.
Request to take part
Watch info session
Targeted Programmes at Crisis
Why is Crisis running this programme?
Staff Information Pack
Participation Request Process
What does this programme include?
Race Equity
Leadership & Development Programme
Investing in our staff from ethnically diverse communities
Programme timetable
Who can take part?
- We want everyone at Crisis to have fair access to development, progression and leadership opportunities — so that we can build a strong, inclusive workforce to deliver the ambitious change we’re working towards externally.
- Our 2024 Equity Review, along with staff feedback and people data, showed that access to development and progression hasn’t been experienced equally across the organisation. This has been particularly true for colleagues from diverse ethnic communities and colleagues with lived experience of homelessness.
- These programmes are designed to help address some of the structural, cultural and confidence barriers that can make progression feel harder or less accessible for some colleagues — even when talent and potential are clearly there.
- We’re also still in a period of organisational change. Investing in people now is about building trust, confidence and engagement, and creating a culture where colleagues feel supported to grow and develop.
- Most importantly, this work is about building leadership capability from within Crisis and creating fairer access to opportunity over the long term. It’s closely aligned with our values and our commitment to equity, inclusion and ending homelessness.
Why do these Targeted Development Programmes exist?
Stepping Up: Race Equity Leadership & Development Programme
SLG Sponsorship You’ll be supported by a dedicated SLG Sponsor, with regular 1:1 conversations to discuss your development, explore opportunities, and agree meaningful experiential learning.
Ethnic Minorities into Leadership Conference
You’ll attend a national leadership conference focused on the experiences of ethnic minority leaders. The conference offers practical tools, insights and networking opportunities to support progression and build leadership confidence.
Coaching, Networking and Action Learning
You’ll take part in facilitated group spaces to reflect, share experiences, and work through challenges with peers, alongside access to 1:1 coaching delivered by coaches with lived experience.
Learning Hours*
You’ll attend leadership-focused sessions covering the Leadership Framework, coaching skills, and practical personal development tools.
Moving into Management Course*
You’ll have the opportunity to take part in a two-day external course focused on building core management and leadership skills.
Inspirational Speakers
You’ll hear from senior leaders and external partners who will share their career journeys, including how they’ve navigated challenges and barriers.
* Elements marked with a star are optional and can be shaped to suit your development needs.
Stepping Up: Race Equity Leadership Programme Timetable
Events and sessions for targeted programmes participants
Hands on learning in agreement with your Sponsor - minimum of 2 days equivalent
Sponsor meet up number 1
Sponsor meet up number 2
Sponsor meet up number 3
Learning HourLeadership Framework 21st April, 2-3pm Online
Learning HourLeadership Coaching19th May, 11-12pm Online
Learning HourTower of Strength 16th June, 11-12pm Online
Launch Event25th March, 11-4pm In person - London
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
Ethnic Minorities into Leadership Conference 26th March, 8:30-4:30pm In person - Birmingham
Group Reflective Practice Session 1 14th April, 11-12:30pm Online
Career Coaching 121 Session no 1 Online (date TBC)
Career Coaching 121 Session no 2 Online (date TBC)
Celebration Event Location and date TBC In Person
Moving into Management 28 and 29th April 9:30-4:30pm Online
Group Reflective Practice Session 2 12th May, 10-11:30pm Online
Group Reflective Practice Session 3 11th June, 2-3:30pm Online
The Targeted Programmes are three‑month development pathways designed to support colleagues from under‑represented groups to build confidence, capability and access to leadership opportunities at Crisis. Recognising that progression barriers differ between individuals, these programmes provide equitable, tailored development rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all approach. Two programmes are available: Stepping Up: Lived Experience of Homelessness Leadership & Development Programme Stepping Up: Race Equity Leadership & Development Programme Colleagues who identify with both are welcome to express interest and will be supported to shape a development experience that draws on elements of both programmes, where appropriate. Each programme includes three core components:
- SLG Sponsorship: Participants are matched with a Senior Leadership Group sponsor who helps identify learning goals, mitigates barriers, shares insights, and creates opportunities for leadership exposure.
- Facilitated Learning: A mix of external speakers, bespoke training, peer learning sets and protected learning time. Participants work with their sponsor to select sessions that align with their development goals.
- Career Coaching: Each participant is paired with an external coach to explore career aspirations, strengthen skills and set future development goals.
The programme will be open to staff from ethnically diverse communities, with the exception of the Senior Leadership Group (SLG). Running alongside this, will be the LEH (lived experience of homelessness) Leadership & Development Programme – we recognise there will be individuals who identify with both cohorts and the EDI and LOD teams will be available to support participants in selecting the right programme for them. All line managers have been asked to attend a briefing session and will be encouraging applications from their direct reports, with the expectation to identify, understand and work to remove any barriers which may impact participation.
How Decisions Will Be Made
What is a Programme Participation Request?
If we receive more requests than available places, decisions will be guided by: • Development need and potential: Where the programme is likely to make a meaningful difference
• Barriers experienced: Including repeated unsuccessful applications or limited access to opportunity
• Ability to engage with the programme with support
• Cohort balance, including roles, directorates, working patterns and recognising intersectionality We will not make decisions based on performance or confidence writing forms.
A Programme Participation Request is a light touch way to tell us about your interest, development goals and any barriers you feel comfortable sharing. It helps us understand how the programme could best support you and enables us to offer places in a fair and supportive way. This is not about writing perfect answers, honesty and reflection are more important than how confident or polished it feels.
If You’re Unsure
How to Take Part
Complete the short Microsoft Form here - You can do this during work time, with your manager’s awareness - The form includes a small number of reflective questions about:
- your interest in the programme
- your development goals
- barriers to progression or access to opportunity
- and anything we should consider to make the programme accessible for you
If you would like support completing the form for any reason, please contact learning.development@crisis.org.uk and we will be able to help.
If you’re unsure whether to apply, identify with more than one programme, or are worried about working patterns or time commitment, we encourage you to: • Attend an information session and/or
• Complete the form and share your context, we can talk things through with you.
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Transcript
Welcome to the Race Equity Leadership & Development Programme Guide
This guide contains key information about the programme and how to get involved.
Request to take part
Watch info session
Targeted Programmes at Crisis
Why is Crisis running this programme?
Staff Information Pack
Participation Request Process
What does this programme include?
Race Equity
Leadership & Development Programme
Investing in our staff from ethnically diverse communities
Programme timetable
Who can take part?
Why do these Targeted Development Programmes exist?
Stepping Up: Race Equity Leadership & Development Programme
SLG Sponsorship You’ll be supported by a dedicated SLG Sponsor, with regular 1:1 conversations to discuss your development, explore opportunities, and agree meaningful experiential learning. Ethnic Minorities into Leadership Conference You’ll attend a national leadership conference focused on the experiences of ethnic minority leaders. The conference offers practical tools, insights and networking opportunities to support progression and build leadership confidence. Coaching, Networking and Action Learning You’ll take part in facilitated group spaces to reflect, share experiences, and work through challenges with peers, alongside access to 1:1 coaching delivered by coaches with lived experience. Learning Hours* You’ll attend leadership-focused sessions covering the Leadership Framework, coaching skills, and practical personal development tools. Moving into Management Course* You’ll have the opportunity to take part in a two-day external course focused on building core management and leadership skills. Inspirational Speakers You’ll hear from senior leaders and external partners who will share their career journeys, including how they’ve navigated challenges and barriers. * Elements marked with a star are optional and can be shaped to suit your development needs.
Stepping Up: Race Equity Leadership Programme Timetable
Events and sessions for targeted programmes participants
Hands on learning in agreement with your Sponsor - minimum of 2 days equivalent
Sponsor meet up number 1
Sponsor meet up number 2
Sponsor meet up number 3
Learning HourLeadership Framework 21st April, 2-3pm Online
Learning HourLeadership Coaching19th May, 11-12pm Online
Learning HourTower of Strength 16th June, 11-12pm Online
Launch Event25th March, 11-4pm In person - London
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
Ethnic Minorities into Leadership Conference 26th March, 8:30-4:30pm In person - Birmingham
Group Reflective Practice Session 1 14th April, 11-12:30pm Online
Career Coaching 121 Session no 1 Online (date TBC)
Career Coaching 121 Session no 2 Online (date TBC)
Celebration Event Location and date TBC In Person
Moving into Management 28 and 29th April 9:30-4:30pm Online
Group Reflective Practice Session 2 12th May, 10-11:30pm Online
Group Reflective Practice Session 3 11th June, 2-3:30pm Online
The Targeted Programmes are three‑month development pathways designed to support colleagues from under‑represented groups to build confidence, capability and access to leadership opportunities at Crisis. Recognising that progression barriers differ between individuals, these programmes provide equitable, tailored development rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all approach. Two programmes are available: Stepping Up: Lived Experience of Homelessness Leadership & Development Programme Stepping Up: Race Equity Leadership & Development Programme Colleagues who identify with both are welcome to express interest and will be supported to shape a development experience that draws on elements of both programmes, where appropriate. Each programme includes three core components:
The programme will be open to staff from ethnically diverse communities, with the exception of the Senior Leadership Group (SLG). Running alongside this, will be the LEH (lived experience of homelessness) Leadership & Development Programme – we recognise there will be individuals who identify with both cohorts and the EDI and LOD teams will be available to support participants in selecting the right programme for them. All line managers have been asked to attend a briefing session and will be encouraging applications from their direct reports, with the expectation to identify, understand and work to remove any barriers which may impact participation.
How Decisions Will Be Made
What is a Programme Participation Request?
If we receive more requests than available places, decisions will be guided by: • Development need and potential: Where the programme is likely to make a meaningful difference • Barriers experienced: Including repeated unsuccessful applications or limited access to opportunity • Ability to engage with the programme with support • Cohort balance, including roles, directorates, working patterns and recognising intersectionality We will not make decisions based on performance or confidence writing forms.
A Programme Participation Request is a light touch way to tell us about your interest, development goals and any barriers you feel comfortable sharing. It helps us understand how the programme could best support you and enables us to offer places in a fair and supportive way. This is not about writing perfect answers, honesty and reflection are more important than how confident or polished it feels.
If You’re Unsure
How to Take Part
Complete the short Microsoft Form here - You can do this during work time, with your manager’s awareness - The form includes a small number of reflective questions about:
- your interest in the programme
- your development goals
- barriers to progression or access to opportunity
- and anything we should consider to make the programme accessible for you
If you would like support completing the form for any reason, please contact learning.development@crisis.org.uk and we will be able to help.If you’re unsure whether to apply, identify with more than one programme, or are worried about working patterns or time commitment, we encourage you to: • Attend an information session and/or • Complete the form and share your context, we can talk things through with you.