12 Agenda for Change — the independent sector needs it too

Resolution submitted by the RCN Yorkshire & the Humber Regional Board

That this meeting of RCN Congress urges RCN Council to fight for nurses in the independent sector to receive Agenda for Change pay, terms and conditions

  • Work led by the Membership, Representation and Diversity Committee
  • Lead RCN Council member: Ann Marie O’Neill

Agenda for Change (AfC) provides a benchmark for all organisations across health and social care, delivering equal pay, rewards on the basis of job weight and knowledge, delivers a career framework and personal development through the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF), and has improved terms and conditions such as annual leave. It has also provided the NHS with a system that supports role development, improves staff knowledge and skills, and enhances recruitment and retention. During the Congress debate, the majority of speakers supported the agenda item in principle and were keen to see improvement in the pay, terms and conditions of all nurses across all sectors, supported by adequate funding.

The RCN has taken action to support the implementation of Agenda for Change in the independent sector including:

  • publishing an independent sector report, based on findings of the RCN membership survey, which provides vital information on what nurses working in the independent sector feel about  their pay, terms and conditions and working environment.  The report provides good quality evidence to support negotiation and is available at www.rcn.org.uk/publications
  • reviewing and updating all independent sector publications on AfC including online materials at www.rcn.org.uk/agendaforchange 
  • developing a new pay briefing for occupational health nurses employed outside of health care organisations
  • delivering AfC job evaluation training for Marie Curie Cancer Care 
  • giving evidence to the House of Lords select committee on migration included sections on care home funding and staff pay 
  • working with the Social Partnership Forum sub group to develop an employment passport, which currently identifies AfC as a minimum standard for pay terms and conditions for all staff delivering NHS services.