National engagement service
The national engagement service supports employers in the NHS to build a sustainable workforce, improve staff experience, and be the best employer. We know when colleagues feel supported and valued, organisations are better places to work and deliver high-quality care for patients and the communities they serve.
Through our networks, events and partnerships, we bring senior workforce leaders together to share learning, build trusted relationships, influence policy and tackle the workforce challenges facing the NHS.
Whether you are new to a senior workforce leadership role or an experienced chief people officer (CPO), we are here to help you connect, work collaboratively, and support each other.
Regional CPO networks
At the heart of the national engagement service offer is a series of regional peer networks for CPOs.
These provide a trusted space for workforce leaders to:
- Connect and learn from colleagues’ share challenges, opportunities and emerging priorities
- Exchange good practice and innovative approaches
- Build trusted professional relationships
- Influence workforce thinking at regional and national levels
- Access relevant and timely insight on key workforce issues
- Have the opportunity to be involved and to influence and shape work programme delivery of NHS Employers
Each network is co-chaired by CPOs from the region and designed around the priorities identified by members. This ensures discussions are practical, relevant and responsive to the challenges you are facing.
Networks meet monthly virtually, creating regular opportunities to stay connected with colleagues on key strategic workforce issues and emerging developments. They also coming together in-person twice a year in the region and nationally at the Strategic Workforce Forum annual event in October.
Find your regional network
National CPO chairs meeting
Each month, we bring together the co-chairs of the regional CPO networks through the national CPO chairs meeting where conversations ensure the experiences and priorities of workforce leaders are heard and reflected in national thinking.
This meeting is chaired by the CEO of NHS Employers and provides an opportunity for workforce leaders from across England to:
- share insights and intelligence from their regions.
- discuss emerging workforce challenges and opportunities from a national perspective.
- exchange learning and best practice.
- provide candid feedback in a Chatham House environment with NHS Employers CEO and directors.
- help shape and influence national workforce discussions
Regional Social Partnership Forums
Strong partnership working is essential to delivering positive workforce outcomes. Through the regional Social Partnership Forums (SPFs), we champion collaboration as a key enabler of effective workforce policy implementation and the adoption of best employment practice.
These forums bring together employers, trade unions and wider system partners to discuss shared workforce priorities, build strong working relationships and collaborate on solutions to common challenges.
The regional SPFs , support partnership working approaches to:
- implement national workforce policy effectively at local and regional level.
- share good practice and learn from one another.
- foster inclusive workplace cultures.
- promote good work, staff wellbeing and positive employee experience.
- strengthen partnership working across organisations and systems.
- support the development of healthier communities through a thriving workforce.
The forums provide a trusted space for open dialogue, collective problem-solving and shared leadership, helping partners work together around the table to improve outcomes for NHS staff, patients and communities. Find out more about Social Partnership Forums in your region.
National engagement service
The engagement teams in the NHS Employers national Engagement Service work closely with CPOs and workforce leaders across England to convene networks, design programmes and ensure these engagement sessions remain relevant, timely and impactful. We work with regional CPO network co-chairs and network members to co-design agendas, identify expert speakers and enable discussion and debate around emerging workforce priorities.