Stage 1: new leaders and first-line managers
This stage supports individuals in their first supervisory, leadership, or management role, typically with responsibility for just one team or area of responsibility.
The competencies help new leaders and first-line managers understand what is expected of them as they begin to take responsibility for the work of others, in addition to their own.
Examples of people at stage 1
Senior community speech and language therapist
You manage your own caseload and are now supervising junior therapists. You are learning to balance your own work with supporting others and want to feel confident managing workload, team dynamics and competing priorities.
Community pharmacist
You manage medication plans and reviews, supporting patients with long term conditions to optimise treatment. You are the go-to for your GP practice on medication queries, repeat prescriptions and clinical audits. You’re aiming for a lead pharmacist role and want to know what skills you will need.
Midwife
You assess, implement and evaluate maternity care for your patients. You currently act as a resource for other members of the multi-disciplinary team for more complex patients and deputise for senior team members. You would like to continue building on your knowledge of complex patients and improving care.
Ward nurse
You coordinate patient care on a busy ward and regularly support colleagues. You are keen to take the next step in your career and would like to become a ward matron one day. You want to build skills in communicating priorities, managing upwards and leading in changing clinical situations.
Estates manager
You plan, manage and deliver estates projects and work closely with staff in all areas, including contractors, suppliers, specialist consultants and patients. You want to improve how the organisation uses data to make decisions – and have been working with your line manager to develop your skills in this area and work on a project where you can use these skills.
How the framework supports you
Stage 1 helps you:
- build confidence as a new manager or supervisor
- create a supportive and fair working environment
- handle competing workloads and daily leadership decisions
- strengthen communication and performance discussions
- access learning tailored to early stage managers
- understand what good looks like and how to progress
- focus on building impactful relationships