Children's services directors will be sent for compulsory training to make sure they understand the pressures of frontline social work following the death of Baby P.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls has announced the new training regime ahead of the publication of Lord Laming's nationwide review of child protection measures.
The review is expected to criticise local authorities for poor communication with health professionals, police and other agencies.
Mr Balls said children's services directors will be sent for leadership training at a new course created at the National College for School Leadership (NCSL).
The course will ensure senior managers are aware of the pressures of frontline social work and help them with the problem of retaining and recruiting staff.
Mr Balls said half of all directors of children's services will begin the new leadership course in the coming academic year.
Mr Balls ordered the urgent nationwide review of child welfare services after the tragic death of Baby P. The 17-month-old, who was on the child protection register, died at the hands of his mother, her abusive boyfriend and their lodger.
In 2003 Lord Laming published a landmark inquiry report into the death of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie.
His report made more than 100 recommendations to the Government for reforming the child protection system.
But there are concerns that some councils have still not implemented them more than six years on.
