efm (Estates and Facilities Management) Workforce
The network has been established to look at issues affecting the estates and facilities workforce.
Framework for Transformation and Improvement
DH E&F in conjunction with the Core Learning Unit and the Institute of Healthcare Managers have developed a 'Framework for Transformation and Improvement'This Framework was developed from the Developing Capacity pilot sites and is aimed at integrating service delivery and skills development and has been developed to assist managers in responding to current and future Estates and Facilities Management (E&FM) workforce issues. Having a skilled and competent workforce is an integral part of the delivery of a high quality, safe and efficient range of E&FM services which directly support patient care.
The E&FM workforce is often a hidden, yet integral part of care and services delivered to high levels of professional standards in a range of healthcare environments. This requires managers who have confidence in their leadership abilities to ensure that E&FM staff play a full and valued role in the management of healthcare and service provision. This framework will go some way to supporting E&FM managers and staff in achieving these aims and it provides a robust mechanism for ensuring both practical and transformational change which can be underpinned by applied learning in the form of modules from the MHSC programme.
For more information on how to access the Framework, please contact beverley.denton@nlg.nhs.uk
Forthcoming events
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13 November 2009, Estates and Facilities Management Partnership Conference, The Workforce Challenge
The conference focuses on the challenges facing health & social care organisation’s EFM workforces. The conference will allow those involved in the recruitment, retention and development of staff providing EFM services within the Healthcare sector to explore the changing landscape of service delivery and gain inspiration from key opinion leaders on the skills, knowledge and behaviours that will be needed in the future. The conference is endorsed by the key professional groups.
The focus of the Conference will be inspired by a opening key note speech from David Nicholson CBE, Chief Executive of the NHS in England. The programme for the Conference will include presentations from key people engaged in EFM from both the health & social care sector and commerce. The culmination of the conference will inspire the future direction of workforce decision making.
Key Speakers
* David Nicholson CBE, Chief Executive of the NHS in England
* Dean Royels, Director of Workforce, NHS Northwest
* Gary Needles, Head of Methods, Care Quality Commission
* Nick Zeibland, T3, British Airways
* Conference Chair – Professor Rob Smith MIHM BSc MSc MICE MIStrucFor full details of the conference programme and to register click here.
Useful documents
- efm: Developing Capacity (PDF, 985KB)
This document was launched in November 2004 to support the delivery of the commitments set out in the NHS Plan in July 2000 by supporting increased capacity of the NHS to deliver treatment and care. It offers practical ideas and case studies of best practice for issues affecting Estates and Facilities workforce. The document forms the basis for the work done to date by the Department of Health and other bodies in the area of workforce development.
Useful links
- Careers in Estates & Facilities Management in the NHS
A project done on development model career pathways for efm staff - the link below should take you through to the site. - Core Learning Unit
Has details of Core Learning Programmes for all staff in the NHS.
About the network
In October 2002, and further to the launch of a consultation document, Ministers requested that a national workforce strategy be developed for E&FM staff working in and for the NHS. On behalf of the Department of Health, NHS Estates was tasked with driving forward the workforce development for this staff group. A steering group was formed, with a wide range of stakeholders, such as the private sector, staff side organisations, service representatives, DH representatives and sector Skills Council, chaired by a senior E&FM Director.
This culminated in the launch of Best Practice Guidance ‘efm Developing Capacity: Estates and Facilities in the NHS’ at the Institute of Healthcare, Engineering and Estate Management (IHEEM) Conference in November 2004, with an endorsement from Andrew Foster, the then Director of HR at DH.
Achievements to date:
- National Occupational Standards for support services and supporting qualifications (made available from the end of 2004).
- Seven pathfinder sites (funded by NHS Estates) to look at workforce planning and future learning and development needs for E&FM staff within their organisations. This year-long project has recently ended and outcomes indicate possible future problems with an ageing workforce, recruitment and retention issues, limited succession planning, very little development and training and limited funding allocations for this specific staff group. The Report also suggests that in some instances this has led to low morale and lack of motivation or desire to achieve. A detailed report is targeted to be published by the DH in Spring 2006.
- A development centre programme for aspiring directors of E&FM has been designed to support managers putting together their personal development plans and equipping them with the necessary competencies, skills and knowledge required to progress to estates and facilities director level. Now formally supported by IHEEM and the Health Facilities Management Association (HEFMA), sixty-six candidates have taken part in the programme to date.
- The Professional Advisory Group, which provides a forum to steer development and training for estates and facilities staff working in and for the NHS, social care and voluntary sector, was set up. The Group, which meets regularly, represents professions within the E&FM fraternity, such as the Hospital Caterers Association, Association of Domestic Managers, and the professional body IHEEM.
- A model career pathway website illustrating career pathways in engineering, catering, portering and engineering has been developed.
- A recruitment handbook based on the Department of Health’s Sharing Strengths handbook focusing on best practice and initiatives for recruitment into efm has also been published.
Contact: Beverley Denton, tel: 01405 720720, beverley.denton@nlg.nhs.uk