Preparing your Fellowship application is an opportunity to demonstrate your leadership experience and provide the Fellowship Assessment Panel with the evidence needed to determine whether you meet the relevant Fellowship standard. This guidance is intended to help you prepare a strong application and should be read before completing the online application form.
Before you begin
Before submitting your application, please ensure that you:
- Are a current FMLM member.
- Have selected the Fellowship category appropriate to your experience.
- Have reviewed the FMLM Leadership Standards.
- Have identified two suitable referees.
- Have completed (or arranged) your Leadership 360 Feedback.
- Have your most recent appraisal or equivalent available.
What you will need
Your application must include:
- Completed online application form.
- Curriculum Vitae (maximum 5 pages).
- Personal Statement (maximum 1,000 words).
- Leadership 360 Feedback.
- Reflection on your Leadership 360 Feedback (maximum 500 words).
- Most recent appraisal (or equivalent).
- Contact details for two references.
Completing the application form
Use the name under which you are professionally registered. If you are known professionally by another name, please include this where appropriate. You will also need to include your professional registration number and your FMLM membership number.
Curriculum Vitae
Your CV should be a maximum of 5 pages and provide a summary of your career to date.
The emphasis should be on your leadership activity and, wherever possible, demonstrate the scope and impact of your leadership. Rather than simply listing responsibilities, explain the difference you have made.
For example:
- Size of the teams, services or organisations you have led.
- Improvements or change you have delivered and their impact.
- Leadership development you have undertaken.
Do also explain any significant gaps in your career history.
References
Contact details for two referees are required from individuals who have worked with you for at least 12 months.
The information provided by your referees helps the Assessment Panel determine whether you meet the relevant Fellowship standard. Please ensure your referees understand the Fellowship category you are applying for and are able to provide evidence appropriate to that level.
Applications cannot be assessed until both references have been received.
Appraisal
Submit your most recent appraisal. If your appraisal is more than 12 months old, please explain why.
Where a formal appraisal process is not available, you may submit an equivalent performance review together with evidence of professional development, significant events and reflection. Supporting documentation should be signed and dated where possible.
If submitting alternative evidence, please include a brief explanation.
Leadership 360 Feedback
Leadership 360 Feedback is an important part of your Fellowship application and your ongoing leadership development.
FMLM accepts the following 360 tools:
- FMLM 360.
- NHS Leadership Academy 360.
For Fellowship applications, the recommended FMLM 360 level is Organisational Leadership or Strategic Leadership.
For Senior Fellowship applications, the Strategic Leadership level should be used.
Feedback obtained solely through a standard NHS appraisal is not normally sufficient to meet this requirement.
To gain maximum benefit from the process, we recommend inviting around 12 respondents, including your line manager or supervisor.
If you wish to use an alternative 360 tool, please contact FMLM before submitting your application.
Applicants progressing from Fellow to Senior Fellow should complete a new Leadership 360 assessment.
Reflection on your Leadership 360 Feedback
You will need to provide a reflection of no more than 500 words. Your reflection should explain:
- What you learned from the feedback.
- Your strengths.
- Areas for development.
- Any changes or enhancements you have made, or intend to make, to your leadership practice.
Avoid lengthy quotations from respondents. The Assessment Panel is interested in your interpretation of the feedback and how it will influence your future leadership development.
Please include your word count.
Personal Statement
You will need to provide a personal statement of no more than 1,000 words. This is your opportunity to describe your leadership journey and demonstrate how your experience aligns with the FMLM Leadership Standards.
You may wish to include:
- Your leadership experience and career progression.
- Significant challenges or opportunities you have encountered.
- How you approached those situations.
- What you learned about yourself as a leader.
- Examples of how you meet the relevant FMLM Leadership Standards.
Please include your word count.
Assessment
Applications are independently assessed by experienced Fellowship Assessors against the relevant FMLM Leadership Standards. The Assessment Panel considers all elements of your application, including your supporting evidence, references and leadership experience, before reaching a decision.
Top tips
- Read the FMLM Leadership Standards before you begin.
- Demonstrate the impact of your leadership, not just your responsibilities.
- Ensure your examples are specific and evidence based.
- Check that your CV and written statements are within the stated word limits.
- Confirm your referees understand the Fellowship category you are applying for and have sufficient time to complete their references.
- Ask a trusted colleague or mentor to review your application before submission. Discussing your application with others can help identify strengths and leadership experiences that you may otherwise overlook.