
Capability framework transformation for professional community. Defining skills to build professional excellence and career growth.

The Brief
A professional association representing social workers partnered with Future Leadership to develop a capability framework defining key skills, knowledge, and abilities for the profession.
The framework aimed to provide a common language to inform workforce planning, professional development, and career pathways.
Improved Employee Engagement
Companies that undergo successful organisational transformation experience a 30% increase in employee engagement. Engaged employees are more productive, less likely to leave, and contribute to a positive workplace culture.
Reference: McKinsey & Company, "The People Power of Transformations" (2018)
Financial
Organisations that successfully implement transformation initiatives see an average 25% improvement in their financial performance, including revenue growth and profitability.
Reference: BCG, "The Role of Leadership in Transformation" (2020)
Return on Investment (ROI)
Transformation projects with effective change management practices are six times more likely to meet their objectives and achieve a 143% return on investment (ROI).
Reference: Prosci, "Best Practices in Change Management" (2019)
Reduced Time to Market
Organisations that undergo successful digital transformation reduce their time to market by 20-50%, allowing them to bring products and services to customers faster and stay competitive in rapidly changing markets.
Reference: Deloitte, "Digital Transformation: A Roadmap for Billion-Dollar Organizations" (2021)
The Process
Future Leadership employed a three-step methodology to develop and validate the framework:
- Framework design principles: Agreed on guiding principles for the framework’s development.
- Comprehensive research and consultation:
- Conducted desktop research on professional trends, practice standards, global benchmarks, and relevant materials.
- Held structured interviews with thought leaders, industry experts, and academics.
- Designed, delivered, and analysed a membership survey to gather insights into critical capabilities.
- Drafting and validation:
- Developed, reviewed, and refined the framework with a working group through webinars and small-group discussions.
- Included technical and non-technical capabilities applicable across practice areas and career stages.
Future Leadership also supported implementation by creating an online self-assessment tool, enabling members to assess their capabilities and plan their professional development.
The Advisory Team's Impact Across Clients Through Survey Feedback
32% Increase in Self Awareness
Individuals’ awareness of motives, values, strengths and development needs
21% Increase in Motivation
Individuals’ motivation to apply learning, insight and further develop
27% Increase in Confidence
Individuals’ confidence in their abilities and impact as a leader
30% Increase in Role Clarity
Individuals’ clarity around success factors associated with their role
The Outcome
The final framework defines 11 future-focused capabilities that underpin high performance in the social work profession. It aligns capabilities with four proficiency levels: emerging, evolving, established, and expert.
The framework has been well-received by key stakeholders, offering clarity and structure to support professional growth, from advocacy to systems thinking and assessment.