Effective challenge for boards

Developing a culture of accountability and challenge at board

The role of a unitary board is to shape strategy, oversee delivery, and foster a healthy organisational culture — all while operating within a complex, integrated health and care system.

Fostering a culture of constructive challenge and support at board-level is essential to effectively enacting this role and modelling a productive approach to accountability throughout the organisation's governance framework.  

This practical one-day course helps board members to explore their approach to challenge and support and how this impacts decision-making, accountability, and board performance.

Key takeaways

1. Clarify the roles and responsibilities across the board and senior leadership.
2. Understand what enables effective challenge, including triangulation and assurance.
3. Explore how challenge and support work together in accountability.
4. Practise questioning techniques in a safe, peer-led setting.
5. Share learning and practical solutions with other board members.

The absence of effective challenge has been a factor in high-profile NHS governance failures. Boards working under pressure may lean too heavily on support, risking blind spots in oversight. System-level working also introduces new accountabilities and exposure.

In this environment, board members and senior leaders need the skills, confidence and culture to challenge constructively, within their own teams and across partnerships. This session supports you to create space for courageous conversations and strengthen your board’s ability to lead in complexity.

• The respective roles and responsibilities of the unitary board, governors, non-executive directors, executive directors, and senior managers along with exploring the common problem areas relating to accountability.
• The key elements and enablers of effective challenge including evidence-based assurance, triangulation and creating a safe space to have constructive conversations.
• The relationship between challenge and support in effective decision-making, accountability and organisational culture.
• Practical exercises to explore and compare different approaches to questioning and challenge.
• Opportunity for you to meet and network with peers to discuss common issues and potential solutions.

The course runs from 9:30am to 4pm (subject to change).

This training is open to Members and Non-members of The NHS Alliance.

NHS Alliance Member: £400 (ex VAT) | £480 (incl. VAT)
Non-Member: £600 (ex VAT) | £720 (incl. VAT)

You will need to provide a purchase order number at booking to confirm your place on this course. Card payments are also accepted.

Follow the ‘Book now’ link at the top of this page to book your place. You will need to create an account if you have not already done so.

• Board members (both executive and non-executive).
• Senior executives.
• Those reporting into board or board committee.