Evaluation Report: Learnings from Dissemination and Application of the CLI Knowledge: ‘Cultures and Leadership for Integration’ (CLI) Pilot CPD

Integrated care in Scotland has the potential to deliver significantly improved outcomes for individuals and communities, yet challenges in leadership and cross-sector collaboration constrain the progress. Structured but practice-oriented education to support professionals working in integrated contexts is not widely available. This report presents the outcomes of the Scottish Government–funded projects delivered by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) to advance the Cultures and Leadership for Integration (CLI) agenda across Scotland’s health and social care system. The work combined dissemination of CLI research, and development and delivery of a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) pilot designed to translate knowledge into practice.

The pilot CLI CPD programme was informed by extensive CLI research and featured strongly the CLI Compass Model, to guide leadership and cultural transformation, and to address a growing need for interprofessional, integrated working competencies needed by the sector’s workforce. Designed as a six-week blended course, between September 2025 and March 2026, the CPD was delivered to six cohorts comprising 90 professionals from across health, social care and related sectors.

Evaluation findings demonstrate that the programme provided a diverse, interprofessional learning environment, strengthened knowledge, behaviours and relationships required to deliver integration effectively and sustainably. Participants consistently reported that the course was engaging, relevant and directly applicable to their work. The CLI Compass was particularly valued for providing a clear and flexible framework that helped participants make sense of complexity, reflect on their leadership practice, and apply learning to real-world challenges. The programme created space for critical reflection and supported the development of self-awareness, confidence, and more inclusive, people-focused and values driven leadership approaches. Participants highlighted the benefits of engaging with peers from different sectors and organisations, which improved understanding of roles and responsibilities and strengthened relationships across boundaries and enabled more effective collaboration. The programme also supported a mindset shift towards outcomes and impact, aligned with the needs of integrated systems.

The CLI CPD pilot represents a successful and scalable model for bridging the gap between the integration policy reform and its delivery. It aligns closely with national priorities and offers a practical, evidence-based response to workforce development challenges across the system. By providing the cultural, behavioural and leadership foundations, it supports meaningful progress towards sustainable system transformation helping to move beyond a structural reform towards improving outcomes for people, communities and the workforce across Scotland. Further investment is needed to scale and sustain this approach. Key priorities include expanding CLI learning nationally, embedding its principles within professional university and work-based education, and strengthening cross-sector collaboration through shared learning networks. Continued evaluation and co-creation with practitioners will be essential to ensure the ongoing relevance and impact of CLI-informed learning applications.