Map roles using the Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework
How to use the framework to map capability to areas of public health.
The Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework (PHSKF) describes the functions and activities carried out by people working to protect and promote the public’s health across the UK.
The 13 functions (across areas of technical, context and delivery) are carried out by professionals (the public health workforce) who are fully dedicated to leading and implementing activities that are designed to deliver on public health outcomes in each of the 4 UK nations (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland). Some workers might carry out functions and activities described in the framework as part of another role. We refer to these workers as the wider workforce.
The PHSKF is intended for use by:
- individual workers
- employers
- universities and other training providers
It can be used to:
- help individuals to recognise their capabilities in relation to public health activity, enabling them to manage their development and career planning
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support career conversations between individual workers and their peers, supervisors, mentors or managers, to support career planning and progression
- identify strengths or gaps in the capabilities of teams or organisations, for example Using the PHSKF to conduct a staff skills survey
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design consistent job descriptions for recruitment
- design and review learning curricular
- describe areas of workforce capability that are needed to deliver within a service level agreement or service specification
For more information consult the Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework (PHSKF)
Additional narrative and weblinks to assist with the interpretation of each of the functional areas is available in PHSKF: sub-functions explained.
The PHSKF is supported by the background paper Public health ethics in practice.
Map a role, job description or individual to the framework
The PHSKF can be used to map your knowledge and skills in areas of public health as an individual worker.
This is useful for:
- recognising where your skill set fits within the wider public health endeavour
- defining development needs if you wish to increase your expertise and capability
- supporting your career planning and progression
It is not expected that any one worker will be able to demonstrate the whole framework at once, but the whole framework may need to be represented in a public health team or locality. Individual workers can pick out those activities that they most identify with using the framework as a ‘menu’. This functionality recognises the potential for individual profiles to vary considerably.
Map a role to the PHSKF
To map a role, you should:
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download the PHSKF: self-assessment tool.
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identify the parts of the framework that are relevant to your role.
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score your level of capability and confidence.
Discuss the findings
Once you have mapped your role, you can discuss the outcomes with your line manager, supervisor or mentor.
Line managers should consult PHSKF: a tool for line managers
Map a team to the framework
You can also map your team to identify skills gaps and write consistent job descriptions.
Map the team
To map a team you should:
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download the PHSKF: mapping tool.
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identify components of your programme, service or job description.
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identify areas of PHSKF that this applies to.
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discuss outcomes with team members, as well as senior leadership team (if appropriate).
Contact
If you have any questions or feedback about the PHSKF, contact phworkforcestrategy@dhsc.gov.uk.
There is a PHSKF Ambassador network, if you are interested in joining contact phworkforcestrategy@dhsc.gov.uk for the next webinar dates.
Last updated 8 February 2023 + show all updates
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Lead organisation changed to 'Office for Health Improvement and Disparities'
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First published.