Leadership development grants

Leaders who actively promote positive values and attitudes strengthen and support the entire sector. Developing disability support leadership will improve the quality of support available for people with disabilities.

Leadership development grants are available to assist organisations with costs arising from their participation in development programmes.

Leadership development grant funding can be used for the cost of an approved training programme (i.e. course fees), and course related resources to assist training, for example workbooks, tutors and facilitators. The grants aren't able to be used to fund travel and accommodation costs, or course development and administration costs.

All applications must comply with Disability Workforce Development terms and conditions and will be assessed against the following criteria and priorities for selection and eligibility.

On this page:

• Training priorities
• Applications
• Criteria for leadership development grants
• Funding allocation
• Further information

Training priorities

The priority areas for this grant round are:

• Provider development: The goal of provider development is to develop more effective services.  Provider development will include such things as transitioning organisations to the intent of the new model for supporting disabled people, improving workforce development by focusing on strong skills and sound leadership, and improving quality and accessibility of services.
• Governance: The corporate leadership and oversight of, and responsibility for, the direction, operational effectiveness and outcomes of an organisation. It involves ensuring that legislative requirements are met, and that the organisation remains financially viable.
• Leadership and management: Training programmes that develop specific, critical skills related to leadership and/or managing services and people.

Applications

Applications will be considered throughout the year subject to available funds. We aim to process applications within 4-6 weeks of receipt.

Download the application form here.

Criteria for leadership development grants

When determining which applications will be funded, we will carefully consider which – if any – criteria and/or priorities should be accorded greater weight. Consideration of these matters may involve consultation with the Ministry of Health and Health Workforce NZ.

Participants

Participants included in the application must:

• be a paid employee in a disability support service that is funded by the MOH, except where the participant is in a formal governance role
• be in a leadership role, or have the potential to move into a leadership role
• be a New Zealand citizen or hold permanent resident status
• have approval and support from their employer, or their governing board,  to participate in the course
• have the opportunity to apply the new skills in their current role or future role.

Learning activity

Learning activity eligible for funding must:

• develop leadership skills and improve quality of service to  disabled people (consumers)
• start (and preferably finish) in calendar year of grant
• be delivered in New Zealand.

Applications

Funding applications must:

• be made by an organisation funded by the Ministry of Health Disability Support Services
• be submitted via email by a person with delegated authority in the organisation to enter into a contractual relationship with Te Pou.

Applications will have priority if the organisation:

• specialises in providing services for Maori or pacific people
• has demonstrated a commitment to workforce development for Maori or Pacific staff
• provides services in rural or remote locations.

Applications will not be accepted from an organisation that has previously received Disability Workforce Development funding until the organisation has presented an invoice and met all due reporting requirements for any previous grants.

Funding allocation

• No one participant will be funded more than $5,000 (GST inclusive) per calendar year 
• No one organisation will be funded more than  $60,000 (GST inclusive) per calendar year

Further information

If you have any questions please email us at disability@tepou.co.nz or contact your regional facilitator.

Read about recipients of leadership development grants: Tautoko Services, Supported Individualised Lifestyle Choices (SILC) Ltd, Abano Rehabilitation, Creative Abilities and Spectrum Care.

An outcomes report summarising the leadership development activities previously funded is also available.