Working culture
The NHS and other organisations adopt an open and honest culture. Learn more about the NHS culture.
Human Resources (HR)
You may have met colleagues working in HR already through your recruitment process. They make sure our policies are up-to-date and adhered to. They also manage staff performance, disciplinary, absences and sickness. If you have any questions about these topics or feel you are being treat unfairly, you can get in contact with HR.
Occupational health (OH)
Occupational health services are there to help colleagues in the workplace. This may be sickness affecting work or work-related sickness. They may carry out an assessment before you begin your employment in the NHS.
Freedom to Speak Up Guardian
A Freedom to Speak Up Guardian is someone who you can speak to and raise issues about patient safety and pastoral support. You would usually contact a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian when the normal routes of escalating problems, such as your line manager, are not effective. Learn more and watch the animation.
Staff networks
The NHS is a diverse and inclusive organisation. KCHFT supports vibrant staff networks, including armed forces, black, asian and minority ethnic (BAME), men’s, LGBTQ+, neurodiversity and disability and carers’ networks. These groups drive meaningful change across KCHFT.
No tolerance
Abuse in any form should not be tolerated. That includes physical and verbal abuse. Should you experience this from another staff member, there are ways to report this, such as through your line manager or a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian.
Uniform
Your organisation will have a uniform policy you will be expected to follow.
Agenda for change pay system
Agenda for change is the pay system used by the NHS. There are pay points within each band based on years of service and are usually confirmed alongside a yearly appraisal.
NHS pension scheme
If you are working for the NHS, you will be enrolled into the NHS pension scheme. You can opt out of this. Read more about the pension scheme.
State pension
To claim state pension, you will need to have worked in the UK for a certain number of years. Learn more about state pension.
Annual leave
You will be given a set amount of paid annual leave to take per year. Read more about paid annual leave in the UK.
Bank holidays
The UK has eight bank holidays per year on average. View upcoming UK bank holidays.
Special leave
Your organisation will have a local policy outlining your entitlements to special leave. This will be for leave such as maternity, parental or bereavement leave. Find out more about special leave.
Sickness leave
Your organisation will have a local sickness/absence policy. We advise that you familiarise yourself with the reporting procedure on commencement of your role as this could affect how you are paid. Learn more about sickness leave.
Agency working
If you wish to take on additional work, please refer to this website Skilled Worker visa: Taking on additional work. This applies to work outside of your employing organisation including work that is undertaken for an agency company within your organisation.
Trade unions
Many UK workers choose to join a trade union, however, this is optional. There are many trade unions you can join. It can be beneficial to speak to colleagues in your profession. Often there are trade unions that are specific to your profession. View a list of all trade unions.
Mandatory training
This is training that you are required to undertake and is not optional. Your employer should inform you about any training that is required. This may be classroom based or via online training.
E-learning for healthcare
You can register for a free account on e-learning for Healthcare if you have an NHS email address.
The Step to Work programme aims to help AHPs transition into the NHS.
Preceptorship
You may participate in a preceptorship programme in your new organisation. A preceptorship facilitates a supportive transitional period for new members of staff during which you will be supported by a preceptor to develop your confidence, skills, values and behaviours and to facilitate their journey of life-long learning.