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Core Managers: Effective Allyship in Health and Care

Understand the importance of allyship in health and care to become a more inclusive and compassionate leader and manager.

949 enrolled on this course

A diverse row of people against a colourful background

Core Managers: Effective Allyship in Health and Care

949 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Intermediate level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Discover how allyship improves everyone's experience of the workplace

An ally is someone who actively champions the interests of an underrepresented group, while not being a member of the group they are supporting. Any manager leading a diverse team needs to understand and practise effective allyship.

On this four-week course from London’s Workforce Race strategy team and the NHS Leadership Academy, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the concept of allyship. Focusing on real examples from the health and care sector, you’ll learn when and how you can be an ally to the people in your organisation.

Understand the importance and power of allyship

You’ll examine the definition of allyship. You’ll learn what an ally is, when allyship is most crucial, and why allies are needed in all sectors of society.

You’ll also explore the dangers of inauthentic allyship, discussing cases when an ally is behaving ‘performatively’.

Gain the practical tools you need to be an effective ally

Once you’ve understood the principles of allyship, you can begin developing the skills you need to be an effective ally.

The second half of the course will focus on equipping you with the skills and strategies to create a culture based on mutual support and allyship.

Learn alongside leaders in equality, diversity, and inclusion

This course has been designed by experts who will present real-world examples of allyship in health and care contexts, with a specific focus on race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

By the end of the four weeks, you’ll be a more compassionate and inclusive leader making a tangible difference to your workplace culture.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    What is allyship?

    • Two people sit facing each other

      Welcome to allyship

      In this activity, you will be introduced to the FutureLearn platform and to this course. You will also get to know your fellow participants in your first discussion.

    • A person is holding up a magnifying glass

      Defining an ally

      In this activity, we are going to see what an ally is and consider some examples of allyship. This will help lay the foundation for becoming better allies ourselves.

    • Two individuals are shown in two circles, which overlap

      Being an ally

      In this activity, we will reflect on our own current statuses as allies, and as managers, and think about how we can increase our impact advocating for groups marginalised by society.

    • A person with a beard is shown talking with a person in a wheelchair

      Putting principles into practice

      In this activity, we are going to take action and identify changes we can make in our own working practices.

  • Week 2

    Why are allies needed?

    • An illustrated person walking towards a lightbulb

      The importance of allyship

      The activity will highlight the need for allies as it explore the problems that allies can help combat.

    • An illustrated person surrounded by rings and circles

      The role of allyship

      This activity will look at the role allies can play as it considers some of the goals allies should be working towards.

    • An illustrated person sitting looking at the silhouette of another person and a love heart

      The power of allyship

      This activity will look at the range of activities that are considered to be allyship, and discusses how allies can have a meaningful impact on individuals and community levels.

    • An illustrated person in a wheelchair approaching a warning sign

      The dangers of allyship

      This activity addresses some of the dangers associated with allyship. We should not be deterred but keep them in mind to ensure that as we try to be effective allies we are aware of some of the ways our actions could do harm.

    • A person with a beard is shown talking with a person in a wheelchair

      Putting principles in practice

      In this activity, we are going to take action and identify changes we can make in our own working practices.

  • Week 3

    How to be an ally?

    • An illustrated person shown to be listening next to a lightbulb

      Listen and learn

      This activity is going to start exploring how we can practically start being allies. Some advice will be given and we shall consider the importance of listening and learning.

    • An illustrated person reaching out to a series of encircled "A"s, which surround a love heart.

      8As of authentic allyship

      This activity explores what we mean by being an authentic ally, how we can do it and some of the associated challenges.

    • Two illustrated silhouettes approach an illustrated person, one expresses exclamation marks the other question marks

      Active bystander

      This activity looks at what we mean by active bystander and how we can be active and not passive bystanders ourselves.

    • A person with a beard is shown talking with a person in a wheelchair

      Putting principles in practice

      In this activity, we are going to take action and identify changes we can make in our own working practices.

  • Week 4

    How to be an ally to…?

    • An illustrated BAME individual is shown next to a question mark

      How can I be an ally to those in the Black, Asian, minority Ethnic community?

      In this activity, we focus specifically on how to ally with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals and communities as we hear about individuals experiences and the challenges they face, and then consider actions we can take.

    • An illustrated LGBTQIA+ individual is shown next to a question mark

      How can I be an ally to LGBTQIA+ people?

      In this activity, we focus specifically on how to ally with LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities as we hear about individuals experiences and the challenges they face, and then consider actions we can take in our own contexts.

    • An illustrated non-binary individual is shown next to a question mark

      How can I be an ally to trans people?

      In this activity, we focus specifically on how to ally with trans people as we hear about individuals experiences and the challenges they face, and then consider actions we can take in our own contexts.

    • An illustrated disabled individual is shown next to a question mark

      How can I be an ally to disabled people?

      In this activity, we focus specifically on how to ally with disabled people as we hear about individuals experiences and the challenges they face, and then consider actions we can take in our own contexts.

    • An illustrated woman is shown next to a question mark

      How can I be an ally to women?

      In this activity, we focus specifically on how to ally with women as we hear about individuals experiences and the challenges they face, and then consider actions we can take in our own contexts.

    • A person with a beard is shown talking with a person in a wheelchair

      Putting principles in practice

      In this activity, we are going to take action and identify changes we can make in our own working practices.

    • A group of diverse illustrated people is shown inside a thought bubble

      Final thoughts

      In this activity, we will look back across this course at what we have learned, identifying key takeaways from our journey together.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe an ally
  • Explain why allies are needed
  • Demonstrate authentic allyship to advocate for those who society marginalises
  • Develop a better work environment for all

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for supervisors, managers, and team leaders in health and care organisations, who are interested in cultivating equality and diversity in the workplace.

The fourth in a series of training sessions on equality, diversity, and inclusion in health and care, the course will equip you with core inclusive leadership skills.

Who will you learn with?

Yinka Iwu

Head of Equality Diversity and Inclusion she holds as MA in Corporate Social Responsibility and has a breadth of experience in developing and delivering robust solution to EDI that change behaviors.

Mark Watson

Mark is the Regional Director of Workforce London.
Established and leads the external facing People Directorate supporting the London system

Who developed the course?

NHS Leadership logo

NHS Leadership Academy

Our purpose is to help people discover and fulfil their leadership potential to deliver outstanding health and care.

LRS logo

London Race Strategy

London’s Workforce Race Strategy team recognise the challenge and complexity involved in addressing race inequality. They work across London’s NHS to make a significant and tangible difference to the experiences of its BME workforce.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 12 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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