What this role is

The Lead Professional role is a certified practice role for experienced practitioners who support others as they engage with the I Matter Learning Journey.

Lead Professionals are licensed to use I Matter resources to provide guided study support alongside their existing professional work.

This includes supporting individuals or small groups to understand and apply the I Matter Framework in real-life situations.

Who this role is for

This role is for professionals who:

• already work with individuals, families, or groups
• want to integrate the I Matter Framework into their practice
• are ready to support others in applying the learning, not just accessing it

It is suitable for practitioners in:

• health
• education
• community and voluntary settings

What Lead Professionals do

Lead Professionals:

• use I Matter resources within their own professional practice
• provide structured or semi-structured study support
• support individuals or small groups alongside the online learning journey
• help others apply relationship health thinking in real situations

This role involves active support and guided application, rather than informal signposting.

Certification requirements

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

1. Entry requirements

You must:

• have completed Level 1 and Level 2
• have completed the I Matter Deep Dive (Extended Learning)
• have completed Link Professional certification
• have agreed suitability for this role with your organisation (where applicable)

2. Learning requirements

You must:

• complete the Lead Professional training modules
• participate in Lead-level peer discussion or supervision sessions

3. Application of learning

You must:

• demonstrate ability to use I Matter resources in your professional context
• provide study support to at least one individual or small group
• complete a reflective practice journal based on your applied work

4. Maintaining certification

To maintain this role you must:

• remain active in Lead Professional peer or supervision spaces (minimum 2 engagements per year)
• continue to use the framework in practice
• complete periodic reflective updates on your work
• Evidence that you have maintained good standing with your relevant organisations

Where this role sits in the system

The Lead Professional role is part of the applied and supported 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
• Senior Link / Advanced roles – oversight and extended practice

Use within organisations

Lead Professionals may:

• integrate I Matter into existing services
• support staff, parents, or clients alongside the learning journey
• contribute to developing relationship health-informed practice within teams
• work as part of wider community or hub-based models

Professional context

Lead Professionals use I Matter resources as a complement to their existing role, not as a replacement for their primary professional training.

Practitioners working independently must ensure they hold appropriate professional indemnity insurance and operate within their scope of practice.

Community and networks

We are developing Lead Professional networks within organisations and community hubs, including pilot work in the Kendal area.

If you are interested in developing or joining a local network, please get in touch.

Directory listing

Certified Lead Professionals may be listed in approved organisational directories where applicable.
Learn more about locality hub directory
Learn more about the independent practitioner directory 

Apply

If you are ready to support others in applying the I Matter Framework within your professional role:

👉 Apply for Lead Professional certification