Support Workforce Research

Support Workforce Research

A new study conducted by NES shines a light on challenges that NHS Scotland support staff face in developing their skills and careers.

Essential to keeping NHS services running smoothly, support staff members working in business, administration, estates and facilities roles, can often find their development needs are overlooked compared to their clinical colleagues.

NES research recently published in the British Journal of Healthcare Management, delivered in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Forth Valley, offers insight as to why that might be.

What the study found

Interviews with support staff across two NHS Boards identified four key themes:

• career aspirations: staff are looking to develop in their roles but face challenges in support from line managers as well as where to find information and training
• learning needs: gaps include digital skills, leadership, project management, and communication
• what helps: supportive, willing and knowledgeable managers, acknowledgement of recognition of prior learning, clear career paths, protected time for learning, and a focus on succession planning
• what gets in the way: lack of structured development plans, limited access to courses, not enough time or budget for training

Why it matters

The study highlights how important it is for managers to support their team with leadership and mentoring skills. It also calls for more flexible working options and recognition of prior learning.

Allison Hall, Specialist Lead, NHS Academy, Learning and Innovation said:

“Recruitment, retention, and succession planning are key in supporting and nurturing our current and future workforce. This research aligns with the five pillars of the workforce journey set out in the National Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care in Scotland and focuses on the Support Workforce who form a crucial element to successful delivery.

“As a result of this report, more opportunities have been highlighted for focused partnership work to support and promote careers and training, raising the profile of this underpinning workforce.”

Find out more

• British Journal of Healthcare Management - Addressing the learning and development needs of the NHS support workforce: a qualitative study of what helps and hinders
• Learning for career success - Developing the support workforce
• National Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care in Scotland
• If you have any questions or feedback relating to this research, please contact learningstrategy@nhs.scot

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