A personalised input into role redesign

Community support nurses have been adding their input to a role redesign exercise at South Birmingham primary care trust.

South Birmingham primary care trust decided to use a competency-based approach to redesigning a role that had evolved over the three years since it was originally formed. The community support nurse role reaches across health and education to provide services to vulnerable children and their families. They work particularly with children failing to attend school and those who live in hard-to-reach communities.

Existing CSNs were invited to assess and identify which extra skills and competencies they thought would be needed for the role. Managers felt it was important to capture the experiences of current post holders as the role had changed over time.

Managers at the trust decided to use a competency-based approach to role redesign because this would help standardise the role and would work well with any subsequent training packages developed.

With input from local schools, health bodies and allied agencies, the PCT identified the skills in the existing community support nurse workforce and what additional skills were required. Next they identified any gaps between current and required role profiles.

After much refinement, 18 competencies drawn from the Skills for Health online database were matched to the required CSN profile. Once they had redefined the job description, managers developed a knowledge and skills framework outline for the CSN. They were then able to put in a comprehensive training package to support CSNs so current and new post holders are clearer about what is required of them.

As a result, CSNs will be supported more effectively through the personalised needs-based induction programme. It will also enable clinical mentors and supervisors to use a standardised approach to professional development. 

Managers are delighted that the work has helped to clarify boundaries for role holders, so CSNs can be confident in the scope of their activities and understand better when to refer to other agencies. Backed up by such personalised learning, there is greater potential for role holders to develop professionally and to progress along the career pathway.

Speaking about how the CSN will enhance the trust's services to vulnerable children, Clare Edwards, lead nurse of safeguarding children at South Birmingham PCT, says: 'This role has been proved to be invaluable in identifying and intervening in the lives of some of our most invisible and vulnerable children and families. The holistic assessment and face-to-face working that the role offers lies at the heart of practice in relation to the safeguarding of children.'

Skills for Health is the sector skills council for the UK health sector (the National Health Services, independent healthcare providers and voluntary organisations). It supports the development of competency-based approaches to the design and redesign of roles and services. The competencies are part of a range of electronic tools available on the Skills for Health website which can help managers design roles, services, education and training and forecast future needs.