Further detail

YLM (Appendix A)

a. Background:
• Your Leadership Matters (YLM) is a programme that aims to improve leadership skills across Police Scotland, Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Forensics Services (FS).
• This includes first level leaders (Sergeants, Inspectors, staff grades 4-7), mid-level leaders (Chief inspectors and staff grades 8-10) and senior level leaders (Superintendents and above and staff grades 11-14) who have people line management responsibility.
• The purpose of this review is to provide assurance over the design of the key controls in the Your Leadership Matters training programme in the following areas:
 Clarity of purpose, objectives and anticipated benefits
 Methodology of evaluation
 Alignment with wider strategies and action plans
 Governance and monitoring
 Forward thinking

b. Internal Audit Findings:
• BDO was able to provide moderate assurance over the design and operational effectiveness of the organisation’s YLM programme.
• The audit has revealed that YLM has a strong foundation in the three core leadership behaviours, which are well-integrated into the programme's content and delivery.
• The leadership and talent team has demonstrated good practice by developing a comprehensive business case, detailing the financial and time resources required for the programme's execution. There has been collaboration with EY to ensure internal capability building. The programme's design, which tailors training to different management levels and the use of virtual summits alongside in-person consolidation, is an innovative way to facilitate wide-reaching and inclusive leadership development.
• The audit has identified several areas for improvement:
 Limited Consultation and representation
 Alignment with Policing Together and other strategies
 Evaluation Methodology
 Resource constraints
 Governance arrangements
 Sustainability of leadership development
• The YLM programme exhibits several strengths, however there is need for improved stakeholder engagement, a robust plan around evaluation, clear plans to address resource constraints, and solidified plans around the sustainability of leadership development initiatives.

c. Summary of Findings of the Report:
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS # OF AGREED ACTIONS
High 0 0
Medium 6 7
Low 0 0
TOTAL NUMBER OF FINDINGS: 6

d. SPA Considerations:
• The SPA welcomes the positive findings and moderate level of assurance provided on both design and effectiveness of the programme.
• Whilst areas for improvement have been identified it is also positive that the majority (six from seven) are expected to be complete in September 2024.