The team, which includes representatives from strategic health authorities, trade unions, NHS Employers and the Department of Health, continues to work with employers and managers to make sure that the KSF is applied as intended and is fully implemented across the NHS.
The use of the KSF has varied across the country meaning that not all staff and organisations have had the opportunity to benefit from the framework. There is a perception from some employers that the process is complex and bureaucratic and also there has been a reduced emphasis on the KSF in some organisations following reconfiguration.
Tips for successful application of the KSF
In organisations where the KSF has been most successfully applied:
- there is a named board member with key organisational responsibility for ensuring that the KSF is applied effectively
- regular reports are produced for the board about the extent to which KSF is being used in their organisation and its effectiveness.
- the organisation is able to demonstrate a clear link between use of KSF and improved quality and quantity of appraisals
- there is an ongoing commitment to support union learning representatives.
Regional KSF events
As part of the work to raise the profile of the KSF, ten regional events took place in 2007. These were hosted by each strategic health authority. The events aimed to help trusts learn how to make the most of the KSF. The key learning points gathered from the events were that the KSF:
- is central to the current and future service delivery of the NHS
- should be linked to locally determined organisational objectives enhancing corporate, financial and clinical governance
- can help organisations meet their obligations in relation to diversity, Corporate Manslaughter, and objectives such as reducing MRSA cross-infection and achieving 18 week waits
- supports effective planning of training and development at an individual, team and organisational level
- should be applied in a simple but effective way while adhering to the underlying principles
- contributes toward enhanced outcomes for patients and staff wellbeing
Following the above events, Health Minister Anne Keen wrote to all NHS chief executives encouraging them to apply the learning gained from the events. The full text of the letter can be found on the Department of Health's website.
Other KSF materials
To support trusts in applying the KSF the following material have been produced: