NHS Staff Standards Implementation Planning Tool
The NHS Staff Standards set clear national expectations for modern employment across the NHS. They support organisations to improve staff experience, strengthen accountability and create safe, inclusive and supportive workplaces.
The six NHS Staff Standards focus on:
- Line management
- Health and wellbeing
- Violence prevention and reduction
- Championing sexual safety
- Tackling racism
- Promoting flexible working
For an overview of the NHS Staff Standards and supporting resources, visit our NHS Staff Standards Hub.
About the Implementation Planning Tool
This implementation planning tool helps organisations assess their current position against the NHS Staff Standards, identify areas for improvement and support local implementation. It is entirely voluntary for employers to use if they find it helpful.
Available as a downloadable and editable Microsoft Word template, the tool provides a structured framework that organisations can adapt for use within existing governance, assurance and partnership arrangements. It helps organisations:
- assess progress against each of the six standards
- identify strengths and opportunities for improvement
- support local conversations about staff experience and workplace culture
- inform action planning and continuous improvement
- monitor progress over time.
The tool is flexible and can be tailored to local circumstances and priorities. It is designed to support reflection, discussion and continuous improvement. It is not a formal scoring framework for the standards, but a practical aid to help organisations review and strengthen their approach.
How to Use the Tool
Organisations are encouraged to complete the implementation planning tool in partnership with staff and recognised trade unions, drawing on workforce data, staff feedback and local insight to develop a shared understanding of strengths, challenges and priorities for improvement.
You should consider this tool alongside your existing assessments and reporting, for example the staff experience assessment tool.
It can be completed in a variety of ways depending on local needs.
Organisations may choose to:
- complete the full tool across all six standards
- focus on particular standards or priority areas
- use the tool to support board discussions, partnership meetings and workforce planning activity
- revisit the assessment periodically to review progress and update action plans.
Responses should be considered alongside local workforce data, staff feedback, organisational priorities and local context.
Any actions arising from the implementation planning tool should be developed, monitored and reviewed through appropriate partnership arrangements.
