Learning & Development

The Workforce Development Unit supports employees within NHS Leeds - our commissioning organisation and NHS Leeds Community Healthcare - (our provider organisation) to access training and development relevant to their work roles.  There is also support offered in specific skill areas to our wider partner agencies who influence the delivery of healthcare across Leeds.

NHS Leeds and NHS Leeds Community Healthcare have engaged with the pledges to staff within the NHS Constitution which include:

“All staff should have well designed, rewarding and worthwhile jobs, with the freedom and confidence to act in the interest of patients. To do this they need to be trusted, actively listened to and treated with respect at work; to have the tools, training and support to deliver care; and to have opportunities to develop and progress.”

The Workforce Development Unit provides such opportunities across a variety of development areas which include;

Statutory and Mandatory

NHS Leeds has agreed the standards of training to maintain safe working practices for patients and staff.  These are prioritised as essential and are refreshed at set periodic intervals to maintain efficient standards of safety and care to meet our statutory and mandatory requirements for all staff with enhanced induction training to ensure all staff have clarity in relation to minimum standards. 

Leadership and Management

Training is available for those in leadership roles from first line managers to director level.  The organisation is in partnership with an Institute in Leadership Management Centre which helps ensure quality in the delivery of the programmes and themed approach to leadership development.  Team effectiveness is one of the key factors to successfully providing health care.  Workforce development support teams to function effectively to enable them to deliver their objectives.

Professional Development

Enhanced skill development for effective patient care is supported on a regular basis to ensure our workforce can meet the changing demands of patient care within Leeds. Much of this learning is supported via our links with our Strategic Health Authority and our local Universities.

Support Staff Training

The non-registered workforce are an essential support to patient care and support infrastructure.  NHS Leeds and Leeds Community Healthcare have committed to the Skills Pledge – a voluntary public commitment to ensure we work towards having a fully qualified workforce by 2012 and support the introduction of apprentices using the appropriate educational framework.  This will include both vocational and academic qualifications.

We work in partnership with local colleges who provide assessment skills to ensure all staff perform at the appropriate nationally recognised competency standards. Funding is available to enable NHS Leeds support staff to take advantage of opportunities for development within their job roles, as well as progress towards their career aspirations.