Case Study – Enhancing Workforce Planning Capability for Health and Social Care Northern Ireland

Health and Social Care Northern Ireland partnered with Skills for Health to develop a system-wide workforce planning capability.  

The need 

With the implementation of Integrated Care Systems, the Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSCNI) Leadership Centre recognised the critical need for robust and comprehensive workforce planning that aligned with the broader system objectives. With the aim of establishing a sustainable model for the future, HSCNI sought to enhance the capability of its consultants to provide effective guidance on workforce planning to Trusts and other stakeholders.  

The solution 

Using their widely recognised Six Steps Methodology to Integrated Workforce Planning®, Skills for Health designed a tailored training programme aimed to upskill consultants from the Leadership Centre and representatives from Trusts across Northern Ireland with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of workforce planning.  

The programme comprised a series of in-person and virtual sessions delivered over approximately three months to accommodate diverse learning preferences and practical application. Participants were guided through the foundations of the Six Steps Methodology and engaged in hands-on exercises to create and develop their workforce plans addressing real-world challenges within their respective organisations. 

The impact 

The impact of the programme was profound, as evidenced by both quantitative and qualitative feedback from participants. Pre- and post-course surveys revealed a significant increase in participants’ awareness of workforce planning principles and their confidence in applying these principles within their roles.  

Notably, confidence levels improved across all steps of the Six Steps Methodology, indicating a comprehensive understanding and readiness to engage in workforce planning activities. Furthermore, participants expressed high levels of satisfaction with the course delivery, emphasising the practicality, relevance, and engagement facilitated by the trainers. 

Importantly, 100% of post-programme feedback respondents said they felt aware of the principles of the 6-steps and would be able to apply those principles within their work. 

Through its partnership with Skills for Health, HSCNI successfully enhanced its workforce planning capability, empowering consultants and Trust representatives to navigate the complexities of ICS’ with confidence and proficiency.  

By adopting the Six Steps Methodology as a guiding framework, HSCNI has laid a foundation for sustainable workforce planning practices that align with the evolving needs of healthcare delivery in Northern Ireland.  

Download the Six Steps Planning Checklist