Article

OD Advanced development programme

Learn about OD Advanced, a free development programme for NHS OD professionals seeking to deepen their OD knowledge.

Publication date: 21 May 2026

Student studying in a library

OD Advanced is a development programme for OD practitioners working across the NHS who are ready to deepen their expertise, strengthen their strategic influence and enhance their impact across complex systems.

Designed and delivered by NHS Employers, the programme blends three community learning days, action learning sets, and self‑led study to support practitioners in expanding their capability, confidence and professional practice. 

The OD Advanced programme is funded by NHS England as part of its commitment to support and develop the people profession as outlined in The future of NHS human resources and organisational development report.

    • Advanced OD theories, skills and behaviours for strategic partnering. 
    • Consultancy practice, including contracting, roles and navigating complex organisational challenge. 
    • Self‑as‑instrument and the influence of identity, values and lived experience on OD practice. 
    • Organisation design principles and tools to support system‑wide effectiveness. 
    • Contemporary change models and approaches for complex, dynamic environments. 
    • Group dynamics and group development, including noticing and intervening in patterns. 
    • Reflective practice to deepen insight and enhance OD impact. 
    • Leadership and influencing at senior levels. 
    • Inclusion, evidence and measuring impact as golden threads throughout the programme.

Course details

OD Advanced combines in-person and virtual learning to create a supportive development experience.  

Community days

  • Community day 1: Wednesday 9 September 2026, In person, NHS Confederation office, London; 9:30am – 4:30pm
  • Community day 2: Thursday 22 October 2026, Virtual, MS Teams; 9:30am–4:30pm
  • Community day 3: Thursday 3 December 2026, Virtual, MS Teams; 9:30am–4:30pm

Action Learning Sets

In addition to the community days, the course includes three sets of Action Learning Sessions (ALS), which will take place in the weeks between the main sessions.

These ALS meetings will be arranged by learners within their groups, so you will need to coordinate suitable dates and times together.

To support initial planning, please hold time where possible for:

  • Afternoon of 30 September 2026
  • Morning of 1 October 2026

All ALS dates will be confirmed after the first in-person session.

*Please note, applications for this cohort are now closed. The dates above are provided for reference.

Further FAQs

  • This course is for OD practitioners working in the NHS who are experienced but seeking to deepen their knowledge and underpin their existing expertise with further learning. They will be at or aspiring towards the Chartered level of the NHS People Profession Map.

  • Applications for our September 2026 cohort are now closed. Please ensure you're part of our network and have signed up to our bulletin to be the first to hear when applications next open.

  • If you’ve submitted the application form, your details have been received. Our team is reviewing applications and you can expect to hear back from us soon.

  • We understand that workloads and commitments can change. If now isn’t the right time you’re very welcome to apply for a future cohort. As places are limited, we encourage applicants to join only when they feel confident they can attend all sessions and commit enough time to the learning.

  • There are no formally marked assessments. However, the programme includes reflective activities and peer‑supported tasks designed to help you apply your learning.

  • The community days and learning sets include a mix of facilitated learning, discussion and opportunities to connect with peers. Attendance is an important part of the programme, so please ensure you can join all dates before applying.

Apply for OD Advanced 

Applications for our September 2026 cohort are now closed. Please ensure you're part of our network and have signed up to our bulletin to be the first to hear when applications next open.

If you have any queries, contact us at do.od@nhsemployers.org.

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