Kernow Heath CIC

Kernow Health CIC, a not-for-profit community interest company, is committed to enhancing healthcare services in Cornwall. In early 2022, they partnered with Crisp Professional Development in order to address their unique people development needs, which included a robust and ongoing leadership development programme across multiple management tiers.

Faced with new roles and no existing leadership programmes, Kernow Health therefore sought an established learning provider to upskill their managers and leaders. Crisp was chosen to provide bespoke coaching and co-created programmes.

Comprehensive Development Programmes

Crisp Professional Development now delivers four distinct programmes for Kernow Health on a rolling basis:

• Leading the Business: A strategic leadership programme for senior leaders and clinic directors.
• Leading from the Middle: Targeted at operations leaders to bridge the gap between senior management and front-line staff.
• Stepping into Management: Designed for new managers to build foundational leadership skills.
• Trainee Practice Managers: Focused on enhancing the skills of future practice managers in clinical settings.

These programmes were not off-the-shelf solutions, but bespoke, co-created offerings developed through close collaboration with Kernow Health. Crisp’s approach is grounded in Discovery Insights-based learning and supported by coach-led facilitation, ensuring that each course is aligned with Kernow’s goals and the specific development pathways of their employees.

Meeting the Need for External Expertise

Kernow Health has a clear reason for outsourcing its management and leadership development. As Liz Symons, Primary Care Workforce Development Lead, explains:

“There wasn’t a leadership programme in place at the time, and we had new roles being introduced, such as the role of Clinical Director. There was no specific training for this group of GPs who were suddenly taking on leadership roles across a Primary Care Network (PCN). I developed a brief for what we wanted and explored various companies to find the right provider.”

Crisp stood out due to their willingness to deeply understand Kernow Health’s context and needs. Crisp engaged with Kernow to ensure the proposed programmes would meet their requirements, establishing trust and collaboration.

Impact & Results

The impact of Crisp’s programmes on Kernow Health has been significant. The bespoke courses have fostered peer support among a diverse group, enhancing their resilience and connectivity. Participants reported increased self-awareness and improved frameworks for interacting with their teams.

Some of the feedback from participants includes:

“Can’t recommend this course enough. Time out of practice with your peers and learning new skills has been invaluable.”

“A fantastic course, well worth investing the time to attend.”

“The course has helped me to develop ways to deal with different situations. I found the coaching sessions really valuable. It was also great to meet other managers working in similar roles. The course has given me the skills and tools to become a more effective leader.”

These testimonials reflect the tangible benefits experienced by the participants, contributing to a more cohesive and effective leadership structure within Kernow Health.

Measuring Success

Markedly, Kernow Health is diligent about measuring the outcomes of its people development programmes. They conduct pre-assessment questionnaires and evaluation questionnaires to gauge the effectiveness of any development. The positive feedback and personal growth being reported by participants demonstrates that the programmes’ outcomes are being met.

The courses have helped to develop peer support across a somewhat disparate group, building resilience and connectivity. As a result, it has increased their self-awareness, providing frameworks to think differently about their work with their teams.

Ongoing Partnership

The partnership between Kernow Health CIC and Crisp Professional Development is ongoing, with a focus on continuous improvement and development. Each delegate has the opportunity for follow-up one-on-one coaching to support individual development and address specific learning needs and challenges within their working roles.

While this sustained collaboration ensures that Kernow Health’s management and leadership development remains relevant and impactful, it is also supporting its mission to deliver high-quality healthcare services.

For more information on how Crisp Professional Development can create a bespoke programme for your organisation, please contact us for a complimentary learning consultation at [email protected] or call us on 01392 409198.