Healthcare NOS
Skills for Health champions the benefits of workforce learning and development based on competences / National Occupational Standards (NOS). As a Sector Skills Council, we develop and maintain NOS for healthcare occupations.
Statements of competence
NOS describe the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to undertake a particular task or job to a nationally recognised level of competence. They focus on what the person needs to be able to do, as well as what they must know and understand to work effectively. They cover the key activities undertaken within the occupation in question under all the circumstances the job holder is likely to encounter.
Each NOS contains an agreed set of knowledge and understanding and performance criteria that must be met before someone can be deemed competent. They describe the minimum standard to which an individual is expected to work in a given occupation.
NOS in development
Skills for Health is currently undertaking the following project during 2025-2026:
- A review of 95 Healthcare NOS
The following NOS will be reviewed as part of this project:
| NOS Suite | Number Being Reviewed |
|---|---|
| Children and Young People’s Health Services (CS) | 1 |
| Clinical Health Skills (CHS) | 42 |
| Diabetes (Diab) | 1 |
| Emergency, Urgent and Scheduled Care (EUS) | 1 |
| Endoscopy (3) | 3 |
| General Healthcare (GEN) | 29 |
| Health Informatics (HI) | 2 |
| Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) | 2 |
| Perioperative Care Support (PCS) | 14 |
| Total | 95 |
This project is governed by a UK-wide Steering Group, along with smaller Working Groups which provide sector specific advice and guidance on the content of the NOS.
Background
The National Occupational Standards within the scope of this review are those which are used to underpin and inform occupational competence qualifications and apprenticeships for Healthcare Support Workers across the UK. These health NOS were last updated in 2020. They will now be reviewed to ensure that that they continue to reflect the most up to date practices and language.
In Scotland these NOS are used to create units in the four SVQs in Healthcare Support and there is an imperative to ensure that these health NOS are fit for purpose for use as qualification units.
Consultation Open
Skills for Health are carrying out a public consultation for these 95 Health NOS and invite you to take part. If you’d like to contribute, the consultation should take no longer that about 30 – 40 minutes to complete.
Due to the number of NOS involved we have included a selection in this survey only, but if you wish to review a particular suite or all of the 95 NOS please get in touch at competences@skillsforhealth.org.uk.
The consultation will close at midday on Friday, 9th January.
Access the survey
If you have any immediate questions, please contact competences@skillsforhealth.org.uk
“The health and social care sector continues to adapt in response to the evolving needs of a diverse population across acute, primary, and community settings. The scope of knowledge and expertise required to deliver safe and effective care at various levels of practice is extensive. In this review we are including consideration of NOS for General Healthcare, Infection Control, Clinical Skills, and service-specific specialties like Perioperative, Endoscopy, Diabetes, and Children and Young People’s Services. Each area remains essential to delivering person-centred care that prioritises safety and effectiveness.”
“Applicable across the United Kingdom, the National Occupational Standards (NOS) will provide nationally agreed statements of competence for a wide range of additional skills performed by health and social care staff. Once approved, the NOS will be freely accessible to employers for supporting the development of workplace competence, and to training providers and awarding bodies for benchmarking educational content.”
“This survey offers an opportunity to review the draft standards and contribute to shaping the final content. I would like to thank colleagues from our four nations steering group for their thorough work in reaching this stage. Your feedback on this important work is highly encouraged and appreciated.”
Charlie Sinclair
Associate Director, Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals
NHS Education for Scotland
Chair of the Health NOS Steering Group