Improving Working Lives

On this page:
NHS:
Summary
Future developments
Improving Working Lives Standard
Staff groups
Improving Working Lives Toolkit
NHS Childcare Strategy
Equality and diversity
Flexible Careers Scheme
Flexible training for junior doctors

General:

NHS

Summary

NHS 10.1

The Improving Working Lives Standard sets a model of good HR practice. (See NHS 10.3 Improving Working Lives Standard)

Guidance on the Working Lives Standard is available for several staff groups. (See NHS 10.4 Staff groups)

A Toolkit is available to provide guidance on Improving Working Lives practices. (See NHS 10.5 Improving Working Lives Toolkit)

Guidance is available on the NHS Childcare Strategy. (See NHS 10.6 NHS Childcare Strategy)

Guidance is available on building a diverse workforce. (See NHS 10.7 Equality and diversity)

Guidance is available on the NHS Flexible Careers Scheme. (See NHS 10.8 Flexible Careers Scheme)

Guidance is available on flexible training for junior doctors. (See NHS 10.9 Flexible training for junior doctors)

Future developments

NHS 10.2 All NHS organisations are required to meet the Improved Working Lives Standard Practice Plus status by 31 March 2006. (See NHS 10.3 Improving Working Lives Standard).

Improving Working Lives Standard

NHS 10.3 The Improving Working Lives (IWL) Standard sets a model of good HR practice against which NHS employers and staff can measure their organisation's management of human resources. As part of the Standard, employers are required to demonstrate a commitment to improving the working lives of employees. This includes investing in more flexible, supportive and family-friendly working arrangements that will improve diversity, tackle discrimination and harassment, and develop the skills of staff.

There are three stages to the IWL Standard accreditation process, two of which should have already been completed.

Stage one - Pledge: All NHS organisations were required to make a public commitment, by having the policies, practices and people in place to achieve accreditation by April 2001.

Stage two - Practice: Organisations were required to provide clear evidence of delivery against the Standard by April 2003.

Stage three - Practice Plus: When the regional IWL accreditation team is satisfied that the Standard is being met in full for all staff Practice Plus accreditation will be awarded. All NHS organisations are required to meet Practice Plus status by 31 March 2006.

Staff groups

NHS 10.4 Publications providing guidance on the Improving Working Lives Standard are available for:

midwives;

doctors;

allied health professionals;

pharmacy teams; and

ambulance staff.

More information
Improving Working Lives in Midwifery (PDF format, 1.39MB) (on Department of Health website)
Improving Working Lives for Ambulance Staff (PDF format, 409K) (on Department of Health website)
Improving Working Lives for Doctors (PDF format, 459K) (on Department of Health website)
Improving Working Lives for the Allied Health Professions and Healthcare Scientists (PDF format, 512K) (on Department of Health website)
Improving Working Lives for the Pharmacy Team (PDF format, 365K) (on Department of Health website)
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Improving Working Lives Toolkit

NHS 10.5 The Improving Working Lives Toolkit provides guidance on the introduction of employment practices such as flexible working hours, annual hours and career breaks. It also includes advice on implementing childcare support schemes. The Toolkit is split into different sections as outlined below.

NHS Childcare Strategy

NHS 10.6 The NHS Childcare Strategy was launched as part of the NHS Plan in July 2000. It forms part of the Improved Working Lives (IWL) Standard. All NHS staff should have access to an NHS childcare coordinator to fulfil the requirements for IWL Practice Accreditation. Childcare options that come under the strategy include:

on-site nurseries;

out-of-school schemes;

childcare vouchers;

childminding networks; and

childcare information services.

More information
Working Lives: Programmes for Change - Childcare support (PDF format, 437K) (on Department of Health website)
Guidelines for introducing childcare support (PDF format, 172K) (on Department of Health website)
NHS Childcare Toolkit (PDF format, 1.60MB) (on Department of Health website)
NHS Childcare Toolkit II: Beyond Workplace Nurseries (PDF format, 350K) (on Department of Health website)
NHS Childcare Toolkit III: The new dimension (PDF format, 424K) (on Department of Health website)
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Equality and diversity

NHS 10.7 As part of the Improved Working Lives Standard Practice Plus accreditation, all NHS employers need to demonstrate that they are building a diverse workforce that reflects the local community.

Flexible Careers Scheme

NHS 10.8 As part of the Improving Working lives initiative, the Flexible Careers Scheme (FCS) aims to provide doctors with an opportunity to work flexibly within mainstream general practice while being supported in maintaining their careers. Doctors can move in and out of full-time and part-time work, spread their training over a longer period, reorganise their hours, take a career break or wind down gradually before retirement. The scheme also provides opportunities for doctors to return to the NHS through a period of supervised refresher training.

More information
Flexible Careers Scheme for GPs - Information for WDCs and PCTs (PDF format, 192K) (on Department of Health website)
Flexible Careers Scheme for NHS Hospital Doctors (PDF format, 39K) (on NHS Professionals website)
Flexible Careers Scheme GP Payments: Funding Spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel format, 15K) (on Department of Health website)
Funding Claim Form for Flexible Careers Scheme: GPs and their Employers (PDF format, 29K) (on Department of Health website)
Funding for GP Returners and Flexible Career Scheme (PDF format, 7K) (on Department of Health website)
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Flexible training for junior doctors

NHS 10.9 All doctors in training are eligible to apply for flexible training. All applications for flexible training should be treated positively and completed within three months. NHS Employers has published guidance on the subject that includes information on:

requirements of flexible trainees;

the application process; and

the appeals procedure.

Guidance is also available on the pay arrangements for flexible medical training.

More information - flexible training
Principles underpinning the arrangements for flexible training (PDF format, 195K) (on NHS Employers website)
Equitable pay for flexible medical training (PDF format, 148K) (on NHS Employers website)
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Improving Working Lives