Introduction
A single whole system approach developed in order to get the right people, in the right jobs, with the right skills, at the right time.
This guide is designed to assist colleagues who have responsibility for the workforce agenda. It shares the learning and tools used by Sandwell Mental Health and Social Care Economy to develop an integrated model approach to Workforce Planning. A key objective of the approach was to work in partnership with all agencies, communities and staff to provide improved modernised services and to improve the health of the local population.
The model depicts a dynamic approach that was developed in real time. Activities did not necessarily occur in a neat, linear time-line but were concurrently in development, influenced by local priorities as they were identified and established. A key driver was the need for the workforce planning model to link the disparate service/business and budget cycles across the economy in order to achieve the desired improvement to health. Productive time was a further key driver to improve performance through remodelling workforce issues.
Workforce planning is a key activity of the modernisation agenda both within health and social care. The requirement to integrate services whilst ensuring that they are designed to ensure that individuals needs remain central to the process is a key driver for the National Health Service, Local Authorities, voluntary and independent sector.