Facilitated Action Learning Sets
A practical way to help your teams solve real problems - fastSmall, expertly facilitated groups that turn today’s live issues into clear next steps, build confidence and judgement, and create peer support that sticks.
Format
Online, blended or in‑person
Structure
4-6 sessions per cohort
Group Size
5–8 participants per set
Develop others with confidence
What is an Action Learning Set (ALS)?
A small, facilitated group (5–8 people) that works on real, current challenges. We use inquiry – not advice – to clarify the problem, surface assumptions, and agree 1–2 actions that carry into practice.
Why it works
- Inquiry > advice: questions expose assumptions and system factors.
- Accountability: each cycle ends with actions; the next set checks follow‑through.
- Equity & inclusion: turn‑taking and role rotation ensure every voice is heard.
Session flow
- Check‑in: agree and set focus and safety
- Present Challenge*: presenter outlines facts, constraints, and desired outcome
- Group Inquiry*: clarifying and evidence‑testing questions
- Reflect and decide*: select 1-2 feasible actions; note supports/risks
- Check‑out: learning captured; prep for next set
* Repeated in 90-minute action learning sets
Cohort model
4–6 sessions · 5–8 people · online / blended / in‑person
Who are Action Learning Sets for?
Action Learning Sets are most beneficial when participants choose issues that matter to them and have the potential for real improvement. This approach is especially effective for those facing tough problems without straightforward solutions. Ideally, the challenge should impact their role, be partly within their control, and be something they can actively influence and move forward.
- Preceptorship & early-career staff could focus on SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) or escalation communication, caseload prioritisation, teamwork across disciplines, delegation, voicing concerns, or wellbeing and supervision.
- Team leads & service managers (Band 6–7) may benefit from exploring rota and workflow limitations, managing quality and risk during handovers, collaborating beyond teams, and making planned improvements visible.
- Heads of service & senior leaders (Band 8a+) might tackle prioritisation and balancing demands, coordinating with multiple partners, leading in high-pressure situations, and translating strategy into daily actions.
Commission for one, two or all three groups.
We align calendars and consolidate reporting so you see the whole picture.
Why choose Action Learning Sets with ADS?
Measurable change, not “training days"
Every session ends with 1–2 realistic actions and starts next time by checking follow‑through, so reflection shows up on shift.
Quality you can rely on
Our facilitators use a consistent, inquiry‑not‑advice method; we run standardisation huddles, light peer observation and an improvement log, so delivery is consistent across cohorts and sites.
Inclusive by design
A plain‑English charter (confidentiality, respectful challenge, equal airtime, right to pass), predictable turn‑taking/time‑boxing, and reasonable adjustments (captions, extra processing time, low‑stimulation options) ensure all colleagues – including neurodiverse (ND) and international recruits – can contribute confidently online or in person.
How ALS sessions run
In a 90‑minute set we typically run two cycles (two presenters) to build present‑once equity over the cohort.
Commissioning & delivery (how to buy)
Scope and format
Choose your preferred delivery mode:
- Online
Most flexible and cost‑effective; captions available; predictable structure. - Blended
Combine online and in‑person for cohesion + flexibility. - In‑person
On‑site sets for teams that benefit from face‑to‑face.
Choose the number of sessions (typically between 4 and 6 sessions per cohort), with each cohort incorporating between 5–8 participants.
What we handle
- Scheduling and facilitator allocation
- Joining info and access adjustments
- Session registers and present‑once equity tracking
- Brief cohort themes and feedback report
Getting started
Tell us the cohort(s) you want to support, preferred mode, and any reporting dates; we’ll return a proposal and delivery plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can we group people at different levels if they share a project or issue?
Yes – with safeguards. For project-based cohorts across levels, we ask that direct line managers and their reports don’t sit in the same set, we rotate roles to balance airtime, and facilitators manage power dynamics explicitly in the charter and questioning. If levels are very wide, consider two sets by level, with periodic joint “sharebacks” to keep the project aligned.
How many people and how long?
5-8 participants per set, 4-6 sessions per cohort.