Introduction and overview

At the heart of Cedar Create’s aspiration to support the effective and sustainable deployment development of mental health services is the Leadership Academy. The Cedar Create Leadership Academy  provides training, consultation and guidance across our network of mental health providers and the wider allied health and social care sector.

NHS Talking Therapies Leadership Training – NEW FOR 2026

Commencing national development in 2024, the national NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression Leadership curriculum has been established and is now in preparation for its inaugural delivery in 2026. This initiative represents a valuable addition to the NHS Talking Therapies training portfolio, designed to complement and enhance effective and sustainable service development.

Working with a range of inspiring partners, the Cedar Create Leadership Academy has developed a one-year professional development programme, drawing on relevant policy, principles, theory and research that shape and inform effective leadership for NHS TT service delivery.  The programme recognises the value of integrated networks and leadership approaches across care pathways whilst acknowledging and attending to the distinctive requirements of specific psychological modalities and related clinical and operational priorities.  At its core, it offers a training experience that aims to inspire, motivate and cultivate good leadership and ultimately drive meaningful impact for those accessing NHS Talking Therapies services.

CYP Leadership Training 2026

The national Children and Young People’s Mental Health (CYP MH) Leadership curriculum has been revised and updated to align it with the latest policy, guidance and contextual developments in CYP MH provision. Building on this foundation, Cedar Create has designed a one-year professional development programme that draws upon current policy and guiding principles, theoretical frameworks and research evidence to support effective leadership in CYP MH services. Developed and delivered in collaboration with a range of inspiring partners, the course serves as a valuable resource for participants seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities, identify local needs and implement service improvements. It acknowledges the complexity of the challenges faced in the sector and aims to provide a supportive, reflective and engaging environment in which participants can explore new ideas, deepen their existing knowledge and expertise, problem-solve, and learn from one another to address barriers and drive positive change.

The key aims of the programme are:

• Develop participants’ knowledge of and ability to critically appraise the theory, policy, research, systemic and implementation literature that underpins service delivery, change and the leadership role
• Provide and consider practical tools to manage change effectively and support workforce planning
• Develop partnership working
• Develop participants’ understanding of and ability to implement evidence-based leadership
• Support the consideration and development of personal and interpersonal leadership skills and values
• Encourage participants to consider equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in relation to those who use their service, as well as their workforce and organisation, and what this means for leadership and service delivery
• Develop a framework that supports reflective practice in relation to both the implementation of change and their practice in the leadership role

Please liaise directly with your relevant service lead and/or regional MH Lead to expression interest in this training for next cohort.