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The Development Centre


If your application is approved, you will then be invited to a Development Centre. This is a competitive process where you are measured against a benchmark score. Not everyone who goes to the Development Centre will be successful, so please read this section carefully before you make the decision to apply. By applying, you agree to accept the terms of the Development Centre.

Terms of the Development Centre

  • The Development Centre assesses performance and gives scores for each element.
  • Assessors are trained and experienced and all scores are double-checked.
  • One assessor will assess all Graduate interviews, and one assessor will assess all Future Leader interviews for consistency. They will be joined by senior managers in the organisation.
  • Interviews and presentations are scored based on evidence provided, using the organisation’s selection process (the same as for any job interview).
  • One lead assessor oversees all the group exercises.
  • The group exercises are scored based on what the assessors observe during the exercise.
  • The assessment is based on a consistent scoring process that is applied equally to all applicants.
  • If an applicant does not gain the required score, their application will not be successful.
  • Applicants agree to accept the outcome of the Development Centre.
  • The Development Centre team are fully committed to valuing all applicants. No ‘tricks’ are used and it will be clear what applicants need to do at all times. Feedback is designed to help applicants develop.

What if I’m unsuccessful?

  • You will be notified by an emailed letter if you are unsuccessful.
  • If you are unsuccessful, this will usually be because you did not give enough evidence to achieve higher scores. It does not mean you are not a good performer. Just by being invited to the Development Centre, you have shown that you are a valuable member of your department and you will be valued accordingly.
  • You will be given a one to one feedback session with written feedback.
  • The feedback session and the written feedback are designed to help you develop in future.

What if I’m successful?

  • You will be notified by an emailed letter if you are successful and you will start on the Hampshire Own Grown Programme.
  • You will also be sent written feedback.
Please ensure you are available for the programme dates outlined on the Key dates & time commitments page.

Elements of the Development Centre

Elements of the Development Centre will include:

  • an individual, formal interview (worth about* 50% of total score)
  • a presentation as part of the interview (worth about* 17% of total score)
  • a group exercise (worth about* 33% of total score).

* Each element may be worth a slightly different amount of marks each year as the activities are updated. This means that the percentage of the overall marks that each element is worth will vary slightly, by between 0.5 and 2%.


Assessment areas

Candidates for both elements of Hampshire Own Grown - Future Leaders and Graduates, will be assessed in 5 areas:

1: Current performance

  • This will be assessed via the application form.
  • If invited to the development centre, this will also be assessed at interview.

2: Business and contextual awareness

  • This will be assessed via the application form.
  • If invited to the development centre, this will also be assessed at interview, in a presentation, and in a group exercise.

3: Leadership and emotional intelligence

  • This will be assessed via the application form.
  • If invited to the development centre, this will also be assessed at interview, in a presentation, and in a group exercise.

4: High performance commitment

  • This will be assessed via the application form.
  • If invited to the development centre, this will also be assessed at interview.

5: Openness to innovation and change

  • This will be assessed via the application form.
  • If invited to the development centre, this will also be assessed at interview and in a group exercise.