First Capability Framework for looked after children nurses

The first Capability Framework for nurses in Scotland who care for children and young people who are looked after away from home has been published.

The framework has been developed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and the Scottish Government Health Directorate (SGHD).

The health and wellbeing of children and young people is a key priority for the Scottish Government. Particularly important is the need to focus attention on those children and young people who are most vulnerable.

In recent years, a number of policy statements and reports have given a renewed emphasis and priority to improving outcomes for looked after children and young people in Scotland including the 'Looked After Children and Young People: we can and must do better' report.

As a direct result, NES was asked by the Scottish Government to develop a Capability Framework for Looked After Children’s Nurses (LACN).

The Capability Framework defines a common set of capabilities for nurses built around five key areas:

1. Practising ethically
2. Knowledge for practice
3. Leadership for practice
4. Multi-professional approach
5. Care delivery and intervention.

It will support the development of educational programmes to ensure that LACNs are fully competent and capable of meeting the challenges they face.

Collaborative working with a wide range of stakeholders from all parts of Scotland was integral to the development of the framework. This included the development of a national stakeholder group and stakeholder event.

NES also sought the views of looked after children and young people through the involvement of consultation groups.