Knowledge & Skills Framework (KSF)

The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) and Related Develpment Review process defines and describes the knowledge and skills which NHS staff need to apply in their work in order to delivery quality services. It provides a single, consistent, comprehensive and explicit framework on which to base review and development for all staff and design new roles to respond to changes in service delivery.

For an overview of the KSF please view the outline presentation NHS KSF - An Introduction to its use in Development Review.

For a more detailed explaination of the Knowledge and Skills Framework and Related Development Review process please go to the About KSF page.

A list of answers to questions about the Knowledge and Skills Framework that are not covered in the KSF Framework (see below) is provided on the KSF Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Key Documents

The key documents for the Knowledge and Skills Framework include:

Sample Job Outlines

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Planning and Implementation

This section provides key information for Managers and staff who are tasked with planning and implementing the KSF in their area.

Resources

This section provides information on best practice and proven solutions for the implementation of the KSF across Scotland and the four countries including access to the Facilitators Discussion Forum (note: access to the Forum is limited to registered facilitators).

Further information and resources that have been developed for England are available on the KSF section of the Modernisation Agency website including a range of resources developed by the Early Implementer (EI) sites, care should be taken to acknowledge any differences between the delivery of the process in England and that in Scotland.

e-KSF Online Tool

The Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) has recently procured the “e-KSF” web-based toolkit from Think Associates Ltd to assist in the implementation and monitoring of the Knowledge and Skills Framework in Scotland. The toolkit has been developed in partnership with the Department of Health and supports all elements of the KSF development process, including the creation of Personal Development Plans (PDPs). Further training and support on e-KSF for NHS Scotland, will be progressed over the next few months.

Further information on the toolkit and its implementation can be found on the e-KSF website.

Training

The NHS KSF Train the Trainers programme is being rolled out across NHS Scotland to allow Health Boards to cascade train staff locally. The training programme uses nationally agreed training materials which have been updated to reflect the changes from Working Draft 6 (March 2003) to Roll-out version and also to reflect any Scottish differences. The purpose of the training programme is to ensure that key people in the service have the knowledge and skills to help others understand and consistently implement the NHS KSF. It has been designed to be delivered in partnership pairs.

Details of the 3 day training programme can be found in the following documents:

Further Information

For further information on the implementation of the Knowledge and Skills Framework in your area please contact your Agenda for Change KSF lead (see the KSF leads Contact page for details). If however you have a query about e-KSF then please contact the e-KSF Project Officer/Administrator for your area (see the e-KSF Project Officer/Administrator Contact page for details).

Alternatively for general information on the national implementation of the Agenda for Change system in Scotland you can e-mail the National AfC Pay Modernisation Team or call 0141 242 5851. Full details of the National team are provided on the AfC Project Team page.

Further Information on the implementation of Agenda for Change across the other 3 countries can be found at the following websites:

Additional information and resources can also be found on the majority of union or institute web sites.