Temporary Staffing Policy

Introduction

This policy forms part of Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s (ASPH) commitment to create a positive culture of respect for all individuals including staff, patients, their families and carers as well as community partners. The Trust’s values (the ‘4Ps’) are integral to all aspects of day-to-day life in the organisation and underpin the application of all our employment policies and procedures.

When temporary staff are used, the Trust must have systems and controls in place to ensure that the temporary staff used are competent to undertake the role, have had clearances in line with the NHS Employment Check Standards, are funded from within existing staffing budgets and rates paid are in line with NHS Improvement agency capped rates.

When temporary staff are appointed to work for, or on behalf of ASPH, the Trust needs assurance that these workers have been appropriately recruited and have received local induction so that patients and colleagues receive the same levels of care and service that is expected from substantive employees. This policy describes the Trust’s processes and controls for providing this assurance.

For bank or agency temporary workers ASPH will only engage with approved temporary staffing agencies that are on an approved NHS Framework list (please check with Bank on Us Team). These agencies have been appointed via an NHS procurement process and can demonstrate compliance with the NHS Employment Check Standards (including selection interview, check of qualifications, health clearance, references, DBS check, professional registration, identity and right to work). Rates of pay will have been agreed in advance to ensure value for money and compliance with NHS agency rate caps. These agencies are monitored by Framework operators to ensure on-going compliance. If, in exceptional circumstances, the Trust needs to engage with an agency not on an approved Framework or at rates outside the NHS agency rate cap, this must be approved by a Director of the Trust.

Policy Details

See also:

• Translation Guidelines
• Recruitment and Selection Policy
• Induction Policy
• DBS Policy
• Honorary Contracts Policy
• Professional Registration Policy and Procedure
• Policy on the Involvement of Volunteers
• Appraisal Policy