KSF case studies 

The page gives a brief overview of the case studies we have published in the Shared Learning section of our website.  It also has a document produced by the NHS Staff Council, that has a selection of the case studies outlined below: 

• Raising standards of performance and evidencing using the KSF - South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust developed trust-wide standards and consistency in the application of the KSF by reducing the number of KSF outlines in use.
• Integrating the KSF into workforce planning - read how Wakefield District PCT developed a simpler way of working with the KSF and defined a workforce plan that would steamline service provision into one integrated model.
• Unleashing Talent is a local partnership initiative in Northern Ireland that is based on the six core dimensions of the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF). 
• Using the e-KSF to boost appraisal uptake - read how Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust improved access to e-KSF across a large geographical area.
• Using the learning and development catalogue to embed the KSF - This case study shows how Northumberland Care Trust used a learning and development catalogue to help embed the KSF.
• An approach to gathering evidence for KSF - This case study shows how South West London and St. Georges Mental Health NHS Trust developed a way of supporting staff to collect evidence both in support of the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The trust has undertaken a series of practical workshops which provided guidance for staff on the mapping of evidence against standards and how to get the most out of evidence.
• Developing a preceptorship programme for occupational therapists - This case study sets out how South West London and St. Georges Mental Health NHS Trust, working with other London mental health trusts, designed, implemented and evaluated a preceptorship programme for newly qualified therapists.
• Linking web based learning opportunities to the KSF - this case study shows how the NHS Finance Skills Development Network has linked the learning opportunities offered through its website to relevant KSF dimensions. 
• Linking the KSF to appraisal - this case study outlines how Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust redeveloped its appraisal system to lincorporate elements of the KSF, which has resulted in the number of staff receiving a meaningful apprasal increase. 
• Read about how Barts and The London built a network of more than 50 Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) champions. The champions have helped to embed the KSF across the trust, raise its profile and introduce the e-KSF tool. Having champions has also helped to support managers to gain the skills and knowledge needed to develop KSF outlines and has enabled a two-way information flow, between central KSF personnel in HR and staff in the workplace.
• Hear how Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust's pharmacy directorate has enhanced the role of the pharmacy technician to that of ward-based technician using the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF)
• This case study explains how East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust went about developing profession specific preceptorship programmes for newly qualified professionals that meet Agenda for Change, Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) as well as profession specific and service requirements.
• Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust uses the e-KSF tool to support, deliver, monitor, and coordinate the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) process across the organisation. The trust has learnt many lessons in implementing e-KSF and has shared their top tips for the benefit of others who are about to or are in the process of implementing e-KSF across their organisation.
• Find out how Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust developed a local intranet site called the 'KSF Zone', giving staff access to all the relevant guidance, documents and materials relating to the KSF process.
• Read about how Suffolk Community Healthcare has successfully integrated the KSF into competency based recruitment.
• Hear about how Luton and Dunstable NHS Foundation Trust linked the KSF to competencies in patient safety.

If you have any examples you wish to share about the benefits of the KSF, please email: agendaforchange@nhsemployers.org