Building the capability local government needs to turn complex structural change into better services, stronger outcomes and lasting public value.
The Level 6 Innovation & Change Leadership programme develops the practical capability councils need to deliver meaningful, sustainable reform. Co‑designed with Grant Thornton and delivered by Estu, the programme blends academic rigour with real‑world insight to equip professionals to design services at scale and lead confidently through complexity. Contextualised for those shaping local government transformation, it enables organisations to turn structural change into improved services, clearer experiences and measurable impact.
This programme forms part of the Centre for Innovation & Change, a broader capability system spanning early careers through to large-scale transformation academies, giving organisations flexibility in how they build and scale capability over time.
Who is this programme for?
This apprenticeship is designed for professionals already shaping transformation within local government and ready to step into more strategic, system‑wide responsibility. It supports individuals whose organisations need them to lead confidently through reorganisation, redesign services at scale and translate structural change into tangible outcomes.
Participants come from across policy, finance, operations, digital and service delivery, reflecting the cross‑functional nature of local government change.
It's a great fit for:
- Policy and strategy professionals driving reform and service improvement.
- Digital, data and innovation leads supporting modernisation and new operating models.
- Programme and change directors managing complex, multistakeholder transformation.
- Senior operational managers responsible for redesigning services during and after reorganisation.
What will they learn?
Learners develop the practical capability to design services at scale, lead confidently through complex change and deliver measurable impact during and after reorganisation. The programme builds advanced skills that directly address the challenges councils face, integrating services, modernising delivery models, and improving citizen and staff experience.
They'll build expertise in:
- Service blueprinting, journey mapping and user‑led design.
- Using data, digital tools and emerging technologies responsibly in service transformation.
- Prototyping, testing and iterating solutions to shape effective, scalable services.
- Leading change, influencing stakeholders and navigating political and operational complexity.
Key facts
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Level
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Level 6 (degree‑level) professional apprenticeship
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Qualifications |
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Duration
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15 months plus End Point Assessment (EPA)
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Provider
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Estu in partnership with Grant Thornton
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Entry Requirements
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Professionals already working in or alongside local government, involved in transformation, service improvement, digital, policy or operational change roles.
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Format
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Primarily online learning with quarterly in‑person collaboration and networking sessions.
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Delivery
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A structured blend of seminars, masterclasses, one‑to‑one coaching, workplace projects and applied learning aligned to live reorganisation activity.
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Programme Content
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Covers service design foundations, design thinking, digital and data‑enabled practice, innovation, leadership, change delivery, ethical and sustainable design, advanced methods and preparation for EPA.
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Assessment
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Ongoing progress reviews, applied workplace projects, portfolio development and End Point Assessment.
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Fees and funding
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£15,000 Fully funded via the Apprenticeship Levy.
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Key benefits
Build transformation capability
Develops a confident, skilled cadre of practitioners able to design services at scale and lead through complex reorganisation, reducing reliance on external support
Deliver better services
faster
Applies live learning to real organisational priorities, accelerating service redesign, improving citizen and staff experience, and ensuring reform delivers measurable outcomes.
Strengthen future‑ready leadership
Equips teams with data‑driven, user‑centered and ethically grounded design capability to navigate uncertainty, modernise operating models and embed sustainable change
Design led learning that turns ambition into impact
Our partnership with Estu is built on a shared commitment to practical, user centred learning that delivers real and lasting change. Estu is a specialist learning provider focused on innovation, transformation and social value, working with organisations and individuals who are driven to make a difference.
"Estu delivers exceptional training" (2025) - Ofsted
Estu brings a practitioner led approach grounded in design thinking, organisational psychology and strategic communication, making complex challenges simple, accessible and actionable. This complements Grant Thornton’s deep commercial insight, sector expertise and experience supporting organisations to translate strategy into measurable outcomes.
Together, we deliver programmes that embed learning directly into the workplace, equipping leaders to design better services, lead complex change and drive sustainable social impact - as part of the Centre for Innovation & Change, spanning early-career development through to organisation-wide transformation capability.
Why Estu?
- Practitioner led, real‑world learning - Programmes are delivered by exceptional practitioners and industry experts, with learning rooted in live organisational challenges and real business priorities.
- Design led and user centred - Estu’s approach is grounded in service design and systems thinking, helping learners create solutions that are innovative, inclusive and built around real customer needs.
- Impact driven and accessible - Estu is committed to making learning simple, impactful and inclusive.
Take the next step
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