Learning and Development Services Manager Review
at Action for Children
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Human Resources
Dudley, West Midlands
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
5/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Learning & Development Services Manager
Action for Children - National Role [July 2015 to Present]
Shape and deliver Action for Children’s learning and development strategy, aligned to the
organisations objectives and managed through the provision of excellent L&D services and learner
experiences.
Responsibilities include
• Utilise professional expertise and knowledge to lead, manage and develop the L&D team
function, ensuring continued team development and improvement of knowledge and
understanding of L&D practice and procedure.
• Manage and plan the capture of organizational wide learning needs, ensuring the outcomes are
reviewed and the effectiveness of the agreed learning plan and its efficiency is managed to to
respond emerging learning needs, as approved within agreed budget parameters and priorities
• Deliver an effectively managed learning and development service, that provides quality and
expertise and advice through the L&D team and to manage the workload of the team to fulfil
service standards to demonstrate ROI and link to achievement of the business plan.
• Design, execute, monitor and continuously improve L&D services, mindful of cost and our
reputation as an employer of choice and as an organisation that champions inclusivity, harnessing
the ability of our L&D strategies to educate and development staff on inclusion and diversity best
practice.
• Develop and manage a range of measures and feedback mechanisms to capture insight of the
learning experience, including monitoring and analysis to inform future L&D decisions.
Public
• Manage the process for sourcing and commissioning external providers of learning activity to
deliver an agreed learning need that provides value for money and high-quality outcomes, in
particular to manage relationships with training providers.
• Utilise available learning related income and funding to deliver qualifications and apprenticeships
that meet the needs the organisation.
• Utilise available technology to enhance the learning experience, in conjunction with the L&D
Leads, to provide the workforce with the skills and knowledge they need.
Action for Children - National Role [July 2015 to Present]
Shape and deliver Action for Children’s learning and development strategy, aligned to the
organisations objectives and managed through the provision of excellent L&D services and learner
experiences.
Responsibilities include
• Utilise professional expertise and knowledge to lead, manage and develop the L&D team
function, ensuring continued team development and improvement of knowledge and
understanding of L&D practice and procedure.
• Manage and plan the capture of organizational wide learning needs, ensuring the outcomes are
reviewed and the effectiveness of the agreed learning plan and its efficiency is managed to to
respond emerging learning needs, as approved within agreed budget parameters and priorities
• Deliver an effectively managed learning and development service, that provides quality and
expertise and advice through the L&D team and to manage the workload of the team to fulfil
service standards to demonstrate ROI and link to achievement of the business plan.
• Design, execute, monitor and continuously improve L&D services, mindful of cost and our
reputation as an employer of choice and as an organisation that champions inclusivity, harnessing
the ability of our L&D strategies to educate and development staff on inclusion and diversity best
practice.
• Develop and manage a range of measures and feedback mechanisms to capture insight of the
learning experience, including monitoring and analysis to inform future L&D decisions.
Public
• Manage the process for sourcing and commissioning external providers of learning activity to
deliver an agreed learning need that provides value for money and high-quality outcomes, in
particular to manage relationships with training providers.
• Utilise available learning related income and funding to deliver qualifications and apprenticeships
that meet the needs the organisation.
• Utilise available technology to enhance the learning experience, in conjunction with the L&D
Leads, to provide the workforce with the skills and knowledge they need.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
It has been the best learning experience I have ever had!
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
The skills I have developed through my apprenticeship are:
• Talent Acquisition & Management: Expertise in recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent.
• Strategic Planning: Ability to align talent and learning strategies with organisational goals.
• Performance Management: Designing and managing performance evaluation systems.
• Succession Planning: Identifying and nurturing future leaders within the organisation.
• Emotional Intelligence: Building strong relationships and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Organisational Development: Implementing initiatives to improve organisational effectiveness.
• Change Management: Leading and managing change within the organisation.
• Data Analysis: Using data to inform talent and learning decisions.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Developing strategies to attract and retain a diverse workforce.
• Employee Engagement: Creating programmes to enhance employee satisfaction and retention
• Talent Acquisition & Management: Expertise in recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent.
• Strategic Planning: Ability to align talent and learning strategies with organisational goals.
• Performance Management: Designing and managing performance evaluation systems.
• Succession Planning: Identifying and nurturing future leaders within the organisation.
• Emotional Intelligence: Building strong relationships and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Organisational Development: Implementing initiatives to improve organisational effectiveness.
• Change Management: Leading and managing change within the organisation.
• Data Analysis: Using data to inform talent and learning decisions.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Developing strategies to attract and retain a diverse workforce.
• Employee Engagement: Creating programmes to enhance employee satisfaction and retention
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
Absolutely brilliantly, a professional approach from day one, with a well planned and structured programme, with supporting resources, learning platform and exceptionally skilled coaches.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My employer has been very supportive, I have taken the opportunity to learn from colleagues, and gain exposure to new elements of the people function. I have been allowed the time I require and the support I needed to get my learning done.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
More than expected! For a high level qualification the pitch has been just right
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I've never felt more confident and motivated than I do now entering gateway - I'm really going to miss my apprentceship!
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
there are networks to join, particularly the achieve network which supports learners and apprentices through buddying which is great
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Action for Children to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Its a great place to work, we make a huge impact to the children and families we support, but also to the lives of our workforce. We have a care experienced apprenticeship scheme as well as fully utilising our levy and transferred funds we receive. We have over 410 learners on apprenticeships and qualifications which is incredible!
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Action for Children?
Go for it! You will get the time, support and motivation you need to succeed
