The NHS KSF is the career and pay progression strand of the NHS pay system for non–medical staff on Agenda for Change (AfC) terms and conditions.
The independent review, carried out by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES), considered the KSF structure, processes and the barriers to its implementation. Its recommendations, which have been broadly accepted by the NHS Staff Council, include:
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clarifying and establishing a stronger link between KSF and appraisals
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simplifying the KSF to allow greater flexibility and meet local needs
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increasing support for NHS organisations to enable them to deliver KSF on a local level.
Next steps
The IES has now been commissioned to take forward the recommendations, including re-designing and simplifying the KSF framework. NHS Employers is facilitating and supporting this work.
The IES is also being supported by a small technical working group of employer and staff side representatives, and a wider partnership reference group. The IES will deliver a progress report to the NHS Staff Council in July and is aiming to complete its work in August.
In the interim, it is important that local organisations should continue to implement and use the existing KSF/appraisal procedures to ensure that all staff have an annual appraisal meeting and a personal development plan.
Background details
The Terms of Reference provide further detail on the scope of the review.
It follows a National Audit Office’s report NHS Pay Modernisation in England: Agenda for Change (January 2009) that concluded:
“The potential of the Knowledge and Skills Framework has not been realised by many trusts, yet effective use of the framework is essential for maximising the benefits of Agenda for Change.
“The Knowledge and Skills Framework is viewed by trust managers and staff as too complicated, and as a consequence some trusts are discouraged from making the best use of this tool."