ABSTRACT
Leading for the future is about ensuring the best outcomes for vulnerable children and families through quality practice developed and supported by strong leadership. Promoting good practice and supporting staff to develop and achieve positive outcomes for children and families requires substantive knowledge and skills in leadership, substantive knowledge of children and families at risk, and an ability to self-reflect and engage in continuous learning. This chapter draws a number of threads about leadership capability and its benefits at community, organisational, educational and government levels. It discusses the role of post-qualifying professional education in supporting the protection of children. The chapter outlines areas for leaders to focus on as they reflect on their leadership style, including leadership in complex environments, in government, in community, in trauma-informed organisations, in evidence-based and evidence-informed practice, in child and family practice education and in supervision.
