What this role is

The Lead Plus Professional role is an advanced practitioner role that supports the development of I Matter practice within teams, organisations, and community settings.

It builds on the CYP Practitioner and Lead Professional roles by adding:

• oversight of practice across a team or setting
• support for more complex situations
• use of structured assessment approaches (including the I Matter Tracker)

Lead Plus Professionals help ensure that the I Matter Framework is being applied consistently, thoughtfully, and effectively over time.

Who this role is for

This role is for experienced practitioners who:

• are already working as experienced CYP or Lead Professionals (or equivalent)
• support other practitioners in their work
• are involved in developing practice within teams or organisations

It is suitable for professionals in:

• health
• education
• community and integrated service settings
  
  

What Lead Plus Professionals do

Lead Plus Professionals:

• support and guide CYP Practitioner and Lead Professionals in their work with individuals or families
• help teams think through more complex or ongoing situations
• use tools such as the I Matter Tracker to support structured assessment and planning
• contribute to developing consistent practice across a service or organisation
• support professional learning and development within teams

This role combines practice, reflection, and system-level thinking.

Certification requirements

To become a certified Lead Plus Professional, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Entry requirements

You must:

• have completed Level 1 and Level 2
• have completed the I Matter Level 3 and Deep Dive (Extended Learning)
• have completed Link and Lead Professional certification
• have agreed suitability for this role within your organisation or network

2. Learning requirements

You must:

• complete the Lead Plus training modules
• participate in Lead Plus peer or supervision sessions

3. Application of learning

You must:

• demonstrate ability to support other practitioners (e.g. CYP Practitioners and Leads) in applying the framework
• demonstrate use of structured assessment approaches (including the I Matter Tracker where appropriate)
• complete a reflective practice journal based on your work supporting practice development

4. Maintaining certification

To maintain this role you must:

• remain active in Lead Plus or wider practitioner networks (minimum 2 engagements per year)
• continue to support practice development within a team or organisation
• complete periodic reflective updates on your work
• evidence that you are maintaining professional standing with relevant organisations
  
  

Where this role sits in the system

The Lead Plus Professional role sits within the advanced practice pathway:

• Participant – entry into learning journey
• I Matter Informed Practitioner – understands and applies the framework
• Link Professional – supports access and engagement
• Lead Professional – provides study support and guided application
• Lead Plus Professional – supports practice development and oversight
• Senior Link Professional – supports organisational alignment and programme oversight
  

Relationship to Advanced Practitioners

Lead Plus Professionals often work alongside, or with support from, Advanced Practitioners.

Advanced Practitioners typically bring:

• additional expertise in assessment
• advanced clinical or educational training
• experience in system development and complex case thinking

In some settings, Lead Plus and Advanced Practitioners may operate across organisations or networks to provide wider system-level support and consistency.

Use within organisations and systems

Lead Plus Professionals may:

• support staff teams to embed the I Matter Framework in practice
• guide responses where situations are more complex or sustained
• contribute to service development and consistency of approach
• work across organisational boundaries in community or hub-based models

Professional context

This role builds on an existing professional background and is used as an extension of that role.

Practitioners working independently or across organisations must ensure appropriate professional indemnity insurance and operate within their scope of practice.

Community and networks

We are developing Lead Plus and Advanced Practitioner roles within community and organisational hubs, including pilot work in the Kendal area.

If you are interested in contributing to system-wide development, please get in touch.

Directory listing

Certified Lead Plus Professionals may be listed in approved organisational or network directories where applicable.

Learn more about locality hub directory
Learn more about the independent practitioner directory 

Apply

If you are ready to support practice development and provide oversight within the I Matter system:

👉Apply for Lead Plus Professional certification