LOCSU’s Leadership Skills for Optical Professionals, is a 20-credit postgraduate module, and part of WOPEC’s MSc programme at Cardiff University.
The module has produced many successful candidates who are now leading the development of primary eyecare services in Primary Eyecare Companies and LOCs, as LOC Officers, as Clinical Governance and Performance Leads, Clinical Leads, Clinical Directors and Leads, as LOCSU Advancement Leads and in Local Eye Health Networks.
This course is designed to enable the practising optical professional to become an effective leader at local and national level within the optical sector through the support and development of LOCs and LEHNs, building effective strategic networks, influencing policy makers and enhancing eye health services for patients.
It provides an understanding of current leadership models and theoretical approaches and will give delegates the background knowledge and practical skills that will equip them to provide leadership in the optical sector.
The WOPEC/LOCSU Leadership Module is open to Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians who are FBDO qualified (Level 6) or who are BSc qualified.
Applications For 2025 Course
We are delighted to announce that LOCSU will be funding up to 10 places on the 2025 cohort. We are particularly interested to hear from optical professionals who meet the following:
- LOC officers or committee members with a keen interest in leadership and supporting their optical community
If you would like to be considered for a funded place, please complete the application form and return it via your LOC Chair to info@locsu.co.uk
Your LOC must indicate your suitability as a candidate and explain what role you can play in the LOC following successful participation of the module.
Closing Date for Applications
The closing date for applications is planned for Wednesday 11 December at 10am.
Interviews will be held on Microsoft Teams Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 December 2024.
Offers of a place will be confirmed by Monday 23 December and the candidate who’s been offered a place has until 10am on Friday 27 December to accept. We will officially confirm all candidates’ places by Tuesday 7 January and confirm with Cardiff University on Wednesday 8 January.
Key Dates and Activities
The course begins in earnest on March 4 2025 and final essay submission completes the course on Friday 20 June 2025 (10am).
Course dates and mandatory content:
Monday 3 March 2025 – Induction week
Monday 10 March 2025 – Week 1 summative coursework (blogs) commences – First one due 16 March and weekly thereafter
Tuesday 11 March 2025 – Introductory webinar, 8pm
Thursday 10 April 2025 or Thursday 17 April 2025 – Webinar, 8pm
Wednesday 23 April 2025 – Leadership Masterclass (optional) 8pm on Teams
Monday 28 April 2025 – Practical (contact days in London) all day, mandatory
Tuesday 29 April 2025 – Practical (contact days in London) all day, mandatory
Friday 2 May 2025 – Submission of essay plan, submit by 10am
Tuesday 6 May 2025 or Wednesday 7 May 2025 or Thursday 8 May 2025 – Teams call 1-1 for essay plan refinement, from 6pm onwards with tutor (30 min sessions per student)
Monday 12 May 2025 – Leadership Masterclass (optional) 8pm on Teams
Friday 6 June 2025 – Leader blog submission, submit by 10am
Friday 20 Jun 2025 – Summative written coursework, submit by 10am
The Assessment Requirements Are Detailed Below
This module will be assessed in two ways:
- Coursework blogs which is 50% of your final mark.
- An essay assignment which is 50% of your final mark.
Blogs
- Your leader coursework blogs will be 50% of your final mark. You will be required to write a weekly blog, with a minimum of ten blogs (one to be an essay plan) which are spread out over the period of the course between March and June (12 weeks). Six of your choice will count as 50% of your final mark (A maximum of two weeks between any given blogs is expected in this final selection). Feedback will be provided to each student on each blog post to support continuous improvement
Blogs will be marked using the following assessment criteria:
Reflection on Content and Practice
- Your blog needs to demonstrate that you have reflected on the leadership topics covered within the course and your application of the content to your own leadership role/s in the optical sector. We expect to see some progression of ideas and confidence in relating your thinking to your leadership role/s over the course of the module
- You need to be posting at least one blog per week during the course
Writing Style
- The blog needs to be written in an engaging style which communicates your message and leadership role/s
Essay Assignment (2000 Words +/- 10%)
You can choose any topic from the leadership course to explore further in your assignment. We are looking for evidence of practical application in your assignment, this could be via participation in your LOC or employer meetings/working groups or leading a project for your LOC or employer.
- You attend a meeting to discuss a commissioning/business opportunity for your LOC/employer. Use your assignment to critically analyse the strategies discussed and your contribution.
- You volunteer to lead a group for your LOC/employer. Use your assignment to reflect on your leadership of the group, the team dynamics and any outcomes achieved.
- Lead a piece of work for your LOC/employer on one of the following: succession planning, developing talent through coaching and mentoring, engagement with stakeholders.
Assignment Criteria
This is a written essay in which you will be expected to critically analyse the key concepts and literature you discuss. You also need to demonstrate practical application of the ideas you discuss within one of your leadership roles.
If you have any questions about the content of the course, then please contact info@locsu.co.uk
Please submit your completed form and covering letter via your LOC Chair who should explain why you are a suitable candidate and what role you can play in the LOC following successful completion of the Leadership Skills module to info@locsu.co.uk