Background
Commissioned by Health Education England and NHS England, and published in 2018, the Frailty Core Capabilities Framework 2018, was developed by Skills for Health in collaboration with key stakeholders. These included Health Education England, NHS England, Age UK, British Geriatric Society, Royal College of GPs, and housing, local government and voluntary sector organisations.
The Department for Health and Social Care has commissioned Skills for Care to undertake a review of the Frailty Core Capabilities Framework (the framework). Skills for Health will be facilitating the review process on behalf of Skills for Care.
Review of the framework will seek to ensure that the capabilities which describe the skills, knowledge and behaviours of those working across health, adult social care, public and voluntary organisations who support people living with frailty, continue to reflect best practice.
Purpose and scope of framework
The revised framework will:
- Provide a consistent, accessible, and up-to-date core capabilities framework for frailty, allowing for the development of a ‘shared’ language to describe capabilities, inform training, and development across sectors
- Support the currency and content of training and education programmes, and qualification design
- Support the development of job descriptions, or role profiles for people working in health, adult social care, public services, and within the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors. This will enable consistency, and support the development of shared standards
- Support Commissioners in conversations about service development, or new services
Review of the framework
Skills for Health will facilitate the review of the framework, and work with a multi-professional, multi-sector Expert Reference Group (ERG). Together they will guide the review process and provide specialist expertise and experience on behalf of their sector, organisation or role.
A first iteration of the revised content of the framework has been drafted by a group of experts in the field of Frailty – across health and adult social care – ahead of its anticipated publication in spring next year. This public consultation is inviting representation from health and adult social care professionals, service user groups and others on the proposed changes to the framework
Consultation open
The draft framework is now available for consultation until 30 January 2026.