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Knowledge and Skills Framework
The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (the NHS KSF) defines and describes the knowledge and skills which NHS staff need to apply in their work in order to deliver quality services.
The NHS Plan was developed to improve the NHS for patients. A major strand of this is service modernisation - ensuring that services are appropriate for the needs of users.
New ways of working are needed to provide services which genuinely reflect the needs of our patients (i.e. flexible multidisciplinary teams, consistent out of hours cover, and new roles).
We need to continue to promote a learning culture and to this end we need to create and maintain the NHS workforce need, this is where staff development is critical. Thus KSF provides the framework for this development to happen, as it is supportive of the Government's plans for the development and modernisations of the NHS and the people who work in the NHS. This includes, for example, how we apply good management principles in valuing our staff by providing regular development reviews / appraisals and lifelong learning opportunities for all people who work in the NHS.
What is the Knowledge and Skills Framework?
The Knowledge and Skills Framework is the staff development part of Agenda for Change. It will be essential for most NHS employees to have a KSF-based job description (called a post outline) and an annual KSF-based appraisal (called a KSF development review). The KSF provides a single, consistent, comprehensive and explicit framework on which to base review and development for all staff and will provide the basis of pay progression within the new pay bands.
KSF is made up of 30 dimensions, which describe the Knowledge and Skills required for the post. 6 of the dimensions are defined as Core to the NHS - these dimensions will occur in everyone’s job.
A further 24 specific dimensions relate to some posts and not others. An individual would need to apply the knowledge and skills in a number of dimensions to achieve the expectations of the post.
Core Dimensions
- Communication
- Personal and People Development
- Health, Safety and Security
- Service Improvement
- Quality
Specific Themes
- Health and Wellbeing
- Estates and Facilities
- Information and Knowledge
- General
Joint KSF Development Review
The development review is based on looking at how an individual is applying their knowledge and skills to meet the demands of the post as described in the KSF outline for that post. This review is undertaken jointly with your manager/appraiser and it pulls together in a structured way all the regular informal discussions you have had with your manager/appraiser during the year.
Within the first year of a new appointment to a post, new staff should have at least two discussions with the reviewer. The purpose of the discussions is to enhance learning and development in the first year in post and to make sure the individual is getting the support they need in their foundation year. A subset KSF outline provides this focus and is a check that the individual is likely to develop the full demands of the post over the following years. The subset outline is used to reward success in the first year and if achieved is followed by passage through the foundation pay gateway.
The KSF outline is intended to be used as a bench mark for the appraisal process; the aim of the individual is to work towards the final gateway, which is at the end or near the end of a pay band. Only when an individual has achieved all the skills on the KSF outline, will they go through the final pay gateway. Once the individual has passed through the final gateway more focus can then be given to career development needs.
Personal Development Plans (PDP)
A PDP identifies the individual’s learning and development needs and interests and how these can be taken forward. The PDP is the outcome of the planning stage of the development review process. Within the National Agreement, there is a commitment on both sides – managers and individual member of staff - to the achievement of PDPs within agreed time periods, usually by the next review date.
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Joint Training
What do we do?
The Joint Training Team share learning and development opportunities that are of relevance across the social care and health sector. This promotes a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities and develops skills and care practices, promoting a high standard of care service provision. This supports:-
- The implementation of new legislation
- Policies and procedures
- Achievement of National Vocational Qualifications and other awards
- The implementation of standards set by the Care Quality Commission (previously Commission for Social Care Inspection - CSCI)
- New teams and service development
- Continuing professional development
The focus for our work is community based and provides training in the following areas:
- Older people, people with physical disability and/or sensory impairment
- Adults with learning disabilities
- Adults with mental health issues
- Adult Protection
- Mental Capacity Act
- Management of actual and potential aggression (older people and physical disability)
Our Partners
The Joint Training Team works in partnership with the following organisations:
Shropshire Primary Care Trust, South Staffordshire & Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Independent Care Sector including Voluntary Organisations
Shropshire Housing Providers, Telford and Wrekin Council (Mental Health)
Care Workforce Development Partnership.
Links to partners' websites can be found at the bottom of the page together with links to other related health and social care organisations.
Our Customers
Our customers include workers from a variety of organisations and disciplines, within the health and social care sector e.g. social workers, nurses, care providers, personal assistants employed under Direct Payments, volunteers and family carers, sheltered scheme managers, occupational and physiotherapists.
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Union Training
The training on these pages is for members of that specific union only.
If you find a course that interests you then please contact your learning representative if you have one.
RCN: Francine.Nutt@nhs.net
UNISON: Gary.wellings@shropshirepct.nhs.uk
All other Union members please contact your relevant Union Representative.