If you lead or manage people in the NHS, this framework is designed to help you succeed.
It applies across clinical and non-clinical leadership and management roles and defines the principles, behaviours and skills the NHS expects from all its leaders and managers. The code also applies to leaders and managers working in social care.
What you get
- clear expectations – what good looks like
- practical help – development tools to help you grow
- support at every level – whether you are new to management or are a senior leader
What’s inside the framework
- The leadership and management code – the principles and behaviours required of all leaders and managers in our health and care system
- The standards – the essential competencies you need for leadership and management – at every level.
- Self-assessment tool – support to enable evaluation against the expected standards of managers. This will support a clearer understanding of strengths and development areas for appraisals.
More help is coming including modular online learning and a 360° feedback tool. These will help you measure your progress and access targeted development aligned to the standards and competencies.
The bigger picture
The framework responds to reviews of leadership in health and care, including the Messenger Review (2022) and Kark Review (2019), and supports the implementation of the 10 Year Health Plan for England. To deliver the plan’s objectives, the NHS needs leaders and managers who are confident, capable, and focused on the evolving needs of staff, patients, and communities.
The Framework will provide a consistent foundation for leadership and management development across the NHS and will form the backbone of the new NHS College of Leadership and Management. The College will ensure all NHS leaders and managers have access to high-quality development opportunities that support diverse talent pipelines into senior leadership and executive roles. These programmes will help develop the skills, behaviours, and capabilities needed to improve patient care and outcomes.
Feedback
We want to make the framework useful for all leaders and managers across health and care. You can provide feedback to help us improve the materials and tools.