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Consultation on new draft framework - Infection Prevention and Control Specialist Career Framework for Scotland

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NHS Education for Scotland (NES), on behalf of the Scottish Government, has developed a draft Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Specialist Career Framework for Scotland. This Framework aims to support national workforce development by outlining the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for specialist IPC roles across health and social care.

About the Consultation and How to Take Part

The Framework has been developed in response to the IPC Workforce: Strategic Plan 2022–24 and the recognised need for a structured approach to capability building, recruitment, retention, and succession planning within the IPC workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted the increasing demand for IPC expertise across all settings, and the need for clear, accessible pathways into and through specialist practice. It has been developed and co-designed with a short-life working group of IPC specialists and higher education providers using a Delphi methodology in order to achieve consensus of opinion.

The Framework provides a progressive structure to support:

  • individuals pursuing or developing a career in IPC
  • workforce planning by managers and organisations
  • consistent learning pathways for educators
  • improved quality and safety of care across Scotland

We have now reached the consultation stage and are seeking feedback from staff across all relevant roles and sectors—including learners, line managers, educators, senior leaders, and organisations—to ensure the Framework is clear, usable, and meets workforce needs.

A final version of the Framework will be published on Turas Learn following the consultation.

How can you help?

There are two key actions:

1. Take part in the consultation and help shape the final Framework.

We welcome feedback on areas such as:

  • clarity and usability
  • structure and level descriptions
  • relevance to your role or setting
  • any areas requiring improvement

2. Share this consultation widely.

We are particularly keen to hear from frontline IPC teams, Health Protection colleagues, educators, and workforce planners.

How to participate

You can access the draft IPC Specialist Career Framework here : Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Specialist Workforce Framework
Please provide your feedback using the MS Forms questionnaire: Consultation Questionnaire MS Forms 


If you would prefer to use a Word version of the form, email us at: hai@nes.scot.nhs.uk

Please note:

  • Consultation responses should be submitted by Friday 16 January 2026
  • The draft document will undergo final formatting before publication.

What happens next?

All consultation feedback will be analysed and used to inform the final Framework, which will be published on Turas Learn following completion of this work.

If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Thank you for your support.