Knowledge and Skills Framework

What is the KSF?

To support career progression and personal development, the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) forms a key part of Agenda for Change. The KSF is linked to NHS staffs' annual development reviews and personal development plans. All nursing staff should have a personal development plan and their development will be checked against two gateways on the pay spine.

The aim is that all staff should:

  • have clear and consistent development objectives
  • be helped to develop in such a way that they can apply the knowledge and skills appropriate to their level of responsibility
  • be helped to identify and develop knowledge and skills that will support their career progression.

The expectation is that most nurses will progress on an annual incremental basis.

KSF Review

Simplified guidance on the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) was issued in 2010, making it more flexible and easier to use. The guidance, developed by the NHS Staff Council, includes a range of tools, templates and FAQs.

The review has not altered the KSF but makes it clearer that the KSF can now be tailored and adapted to meet local needs and integrated with local performance indicators. The main elements that have changed in the recent KSF review are:

  • a new, simplified process for using the core dimensions, including easy to use summaries
  • a new dimension on Leadership and Management in a simplified and more flexible format
  • the KSF development review process is more closely aligned with the performance management and appraisal systems
  • some aspects of original guidance have also been re-emphasised, for example that a KSF outline need only comprise the six core dimensions and so remain relatively simple.

The six dimensions are:

  1. communication
  2. personal and people development
  3. health, safety and security
  4. service improvement
  5. quality
  6. equality and diversity.

The review aims to help organisations deliver on their commitment in the NHS Constitution to the training and development of every member of Agenda for Change staff. The simplified KSF provides a flexible, adaptable tool that can be tailored to meet local needs.

The guide is available on NHS Employers website.

The review is based on recommendations for change in a report by the Institute of Employment Studies, which was commissioned by the NHS Staff council. The report is available on the IES website.

The RCN has produced a number of short guidance booklets on using the KSF. The guidance should be read in conjunction with the NHS KSF handbook.

[see how to access PDF files].