Skills for Health
Skills for Health is the UK Sector Skills Council for Healthcare. Established in 2002 under the Labour Government, the organisation was one of a number of Sector Skills Councils created to support workforce development and skills within a number of key sectors.
Skills for Health was originally funded as part of the government's Sector Skills Development Agency, and other governmental departments. This funding ceased in 2010 and the organisation went on to become a not for profit organisation.
Key contributions to healthcare
Frameworks
Skills for Health, working with NHS England, authored of the Core Skills Training Framework, a guideline for statutory and mandatory training within healthcare settings. The framework enables healthcare workers and their employers to ensure adherence with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The framework covers 11 areas, including equity, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding of children and adults, and information governance. Through robust training, and alignment with the CSTF, teams ensure compliance with regulation and mitigate risks in healthcare settings.Skills for Health were also involved in the development and upkeep of the care certificate alongside Skills for Care. This framework is a set of standards developed for new and non-regulated health and social care support workers to ensure they have the necessary skills, knowledge, and behaviours to provide compassionate, safe, and high-quality care. It consists of 16 standards that are completed through a mix of theoretical and practical learning.
Skills for Health worked in collaboration with Skills for Care on the 2025 Care Certificate Framework update.