Understanding KSF dimensions
The KSF is a very wide framework as it has to cover all of the roles and functions of the different staff groups in the NHS.
It is made up of 30 dimensions. Dimensions are broad competence statements which set out the main areas of knowledge and skills and how these should be applied to meet the demands of your work in the NHS.
Six of the dimensions apply to all AfC posts in the NHS. These are the Core dimensions. The remaining 24 dimensions are Specific dimensions and these will apply to some but not all jobs in the NHS.
NHSScotland KSF Core dimension review
In 2014 over 400 staff took part in group discussions to talk about their views on using the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) to support their Personal Development Planning and Review (PDPR) discussions.
What staff said
- the KSF language is difficult to understand - it's full of jargon
- the levels and indicators are all confusing
- it doesn't describe what I need to do in my job
- can we make it simpler?
What we did
We spent time with staff from different job families across NHSScotland to look at how we could make the wording easier to understand. We also looked at a number of other frameworks and standards used in health and social care. Using all of the information we gathered, we rewrote the six Core dimensions from KSF and shared these widely across the job families for feedback.
The reworded dimensions have the same titles and levels but are easier to understand. They replace the need for indicators and examples of application. The new wording is now available to support staff in their PDPR discussions.
You will find further information on the rewritten dimensions using the links below:
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Details of the NHSS revised wording for KSF Core Dimension 1 - Communication
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NHSScotland revised wording for KSF Core Dimension 2 - Personal and People Development Download (238 KB)
Details of the NHSS revised wording for KSF Core Dimension 2 - Personal and People Development
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NHSScotland revised wording for KSF Core Dimension 3 - Health, Safety and Security Download (163 KB)
Details of the NHSS revised wording for KSF Core Dimension 3 - Health, Safety and Security
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Details of the NHSS revised wording for KSF Core Dimension 4 - Service Improvement
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Details of the NHSS revised wording for KSF Core Dimension 5 - Quality
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Details of the NHSS revised wording for KSF Core Dimension 6 - Equality and Diversity
The remaining 24 specific dimensions can be used to add more detail to KSF post outlines. Using these dimensions is optional.
It might be easier to focus only on the six Core dimensions when developing post outlines as most aspects of any job in the NHS can fit easily into these 6 areas.
NHSScotland Quality Strategy
The Core dimensions also fit with NHSScotland's three Quality Strategy Ambitions - Person Centred, Safe and Effective Care. The ambitions are explained in the NHS Scotland Quality Strategy.
The table below shows these links more clearly.
If you are responsible for managing or supervising staff then you will need to include the specific dimension G6 - People management which was also rewritten as part of the NHSScotland KSF review.
You can find more detailed help on how to use and understand the KSF dimensions for creating a post outline in the KSF post outlines section.
You might also find it helpful to check out A Short Guide to KSF Dimensions.