Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Public health practitioner (integrated degree) standard?
Knowledge
K1: different sources of data and intelligence and their strengths and limitations
K2: methods used to determine existing and future population health needs and how they are monitored (eg: within a local authority population) and for specific communities (eg: children and young people; people with life-long conditions such as diabetes; people living in prison)
K3: the complexities of health inequalities, how they occur, how they are measured, monitored and reported, and the impact on different societies and populations
K4: how to analyse and interpret the data generated when tracing patterns of disease and ill-health, and how this data is reported for communities and populations (eg: incidence and prevalence)
K5: the challenges of measuring health and wellbeing and health improvement, setting performance indicators for health–related programmes and services, and the importance of evaluation, audit and quality assurance
K6: methods used to engage with the public and local communities in line with prevailing evidence of effectiveness (eg: asset based approaches to community development), recognising the role of agency, autonomy, power and control
K7: how public health and wellbeing interventions are designed, planned and developed, informed by the best available evidence (about what works, and what doesn’t), and how to evaluate these interventions to track effectiveness and ensure continuing improvement
K8: the theories underpinning behavioural science and its relevance to a range of health and wellbeing outcomes, for individuals, communities, and populations, and the appropriate use of behaviour change techniques and tools for different groups, in different settings with different opportunities (e.g.: helping people to make healthy dietary choices; supporting people living with addiction; informing and minimising risk-taking behaviours; heeding health promoting messages and advice)
K9: the determinants of health, including the wider and social determinants; how these impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations; and the evidence-based approaches to consider when taking action to achieve better health and wellbeing outcomes for all, while ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable are met
K10: infectious disease (incubation, transmission, hygiene, infection control, personal behaviours); how infectious disease can spread in a range of settings; and the prevention and management strategies and protocols used to manage the spread of infectious disease, including the identification, reporting and tracking of notifiable diseases, and current legislation
K11: the range of environmental hazards that can pose a risk to the public’s health, including chemical contamination and radiation, and the systems in place to prevent, report, monitor and manage these risks
K12: the challenges and successes of disease prevention and management programmes such as immunisation and screening, for whole populations, or specific groups, and the pre-requisites for these programmes to be most effective
K13: systems supporting emergency planning and response, the organisations responsible, and the role of public health
K14: how to mitigate risks to the public’s health using different approaches such as legislation, licensing, policy, education, fiscal measures
K15: how to critically appraise the evidence base, interpret its relevance and application to practice, and how it informs the basis of key public health messages and advice, and national guidance
K16: how public health interventions are designed, planned and developed, informed by the best available evidence (about what works, and what doesn’t), and when the evidence base is evolving
K17: how to evaluate public health interventions to track effectiveness; ensure continuing improvement; and contribute to the evidence base
K18: the ways in which health and care organisations and professionals are held to account for the quality and effectiveness of services and interventions, and how they keep themselves informed of new developments in technologies, treatments and therapies to improve efficacy
K19: the complexities of measuring health improvement, setting performance indicators for programmes and services, and the importance of evaluation, audit and quality assurance
K20: how health and care services are designed, planned and developed, informed by the best available evidence, and how they are monitored to track effectiveness and ensure continuing improvement
K21: how policy and strategy is formed and developed, nationally and locally
K22: how policies and strategies are used to implement change, improve services, and secure wide engagement in public health issues and outcomes, the social determinants of health, and the different government and local government departments that influence these
K23: the extent to which national and local policies, strategies and service planning impact on health and wellbeing
K24: the theories underpinning behavioural science and its relevance to a range of health and wellbeing outcomes, and how it informs the development of policy, strategy, and the planning and implementation of public health interventions and services
K25: the principles of partnership working and collaboration, and the skills and approaches necessary to do this successfully
K26: ways to determine the organisational relationships and inter-dependencies in the local field of operation; the boundaries of jurisdiction, accountability, and purpose; and where the opportunities for collaboration might lie
K27: the different approaches to evaluating the effectiveness of existing partnerships
K28: how health and care services are funded, the organisations responsible for the delivery of different services, and the tensions that arise from the availability of finite resources
K29: the complexities of measuring health improvement when setting performance indicators for programmes and services in specifications and agreements
K30: the legislation and regulations relating to procurement, commissioning models and theories of commissioning for outcomes
K31: how progress and deliverables against outcomes and processes agreed through a contract, service level agreement, or memorandum of understanding are managed and monitored
K32: the different organisations and agencies, both nationally and locally, that play a key role in the public’s health, their statutory duties and remits, and the leadership and other roles where key accountabilities lie
K33: ways to determine and overcome the challenges of making the business case for prevention against competing, and more immediate priorities, for key agencies positioned to promote and protect the public’s health
K34: the legislative framework and decision making, administrative and reporting processes that support political and democratic systems (e.g.: unitary and tiered local government structures and service accountabilities)
K35: a critical awareness of the political and other tensions that impact on public service provision, and public protection, and ways to encourage a focus on the interests of the public’s health (including helping individuals and communities to have more control over decisions that affect them and promote health equity, equality and justice)
K36: the theories and approaches that underpin the leadership and management culture within decision making organisations, including systems leadership approaches
K37: healthcare management systems and their applicability to public health systems (locally, regionally)
K38: leadership and management approaches that support the influencing role of public health practitioners in situations where they have some statutory authority, (e.g. through the statutory requirement for local authority public health teams to provide public healthcare advice to NHS commissioners), but also in situations when they do not have this authority
K39: approaches to transformational change management within health and care systems
K40: techniques and methods for communicating sometimes complex messages to different segments of the population to support choices and decisions made at an individual level that impact on health and wellbeing
K41: the techniques and methods used to engage with the public and local communities, and to consult with the public in a meaningful way, with an understanding of best practice in the use and application of these methods
K42: theories underpinning health education in addressing the wider determinants of health, and the promotion of health for individuals, groups and communities
K43: the relevance and application of behavioural science, and the use of social marketing techniques, to deliver accessible messages to different segments of populations and communities, to support behaviours and choices that are made at an individual or community level that impact on health, wellbeing, and healthy life expectancy
K44: the principles of programme and project management, and an understanding of the models of project and programme management being used to deliver public health activity
K45: the principles of corporate governance and accountability, and a recognition and understanding of the governance frameworks in place within your own organisation and through which public health action is delivered
K46: the importance of evaluation, audit and quality assurance
K47: how to identify opportunities to build capacity through the specialised and wider public health workforce to strengthen approaches to prevention, understanding the impact of local system capacity on the delivery of public health services and interventions
K48: the principles of corporate governance and accountability, and the importance of engaging with the organisational governance frameworks through which public health action is delivered
K49: economic analysis of services and interventions using tools and techniques to determine cost effectiveness, return on investment and value for money to inform decision making
K50: the factors that affect the ability of individuals to learn and develop within a community or work environment; and how to provide accessible learning opportunities that enable people to develop both their own learning and the learning of others
K51: theories informing the development of public health ethics and law, how these compare to medical ethics, and the different ethical theories that support different public health challenges
K52: making the best use of a range of ethical frameworks to support decision making when faced with different ethical dilemmas in practice
K53: a developed area of expertise in a particular area of public health (eg: the management of risk behaviours such as smoking, inactivity, poor nutrition; infectious disease prevention and control such as sexually transmitted infections, Tuberculosis (TB), or anti-microbial resistance (AMR); the implementation of immunisation and vaccination programmes; mental health and wellbeing; public health intelligence etc.)
K54: a critical insight into the accessibility and availability of health, care and other public services for different groups in the population and the barriers that may exist to prevent the public from successfully receiving the care and support that they need.
Skills
S1: analyse a range of data sets to draw informed conclusions about local public health needs and use of services, contributing to strategic needs assessments and operational service planning
S2: provide and present public health information, analysis, interpretation and insight to support decision making, business planning, policy and strategy development, performance monitoring, and quality assurance
S3: manage data and information in compliance with policy and protocol and assess and manage risks associated with using and sharing data and information, data security and intellectual property
S4: work with communities, to facilitate their engagement and participation in: • needs assessments, service design and delivery • improving access to, and navigation of local services • action to improve health literacy where it is a barrier to accessing services and interventions
S5: recognise where health inequalities prevail; determine how they will influence the planning of public health interventions and services; and to apply the evidence appropriately to make the most impact in alleviating these inequalities
S6: apply behavioural insights and information about community needs to support healthy choices that individuals might wish to make, and provide individuals, groups and communities with the capabilities to make changes to their behaviours (eg: increasing levels of physical activity), in the context of a wider set of interventions and actions
S7: participate effectively in the assessment and management of outbreaks, incidents, and single cases of contamination and communicable disease, locally and across boundaries
S8: apply protocol and standard operating procedures related to the management of infectious disease, and in response to civil emergencies and unscheduled events, within the scope of the role
S9: help to identify, analyse and manage the local impact of longer-term hazards and risks to health that may play out at a global, national or local level
S10: communicate the risks and benefits of immunisation and screening programmes to a range of audiences eg: health professionals, parents, people from a range of cultures
S11: use appropriate methods to access and appraise evidence gained through systematic methods and through engagement with the wider research community
S12: critique published and unpublished research, synthesise the evidence and draw appropriate conclusions
S13: report and advise on the implications of the evidence base for the most effective practice; to define problems and shape solutions; and to help in the delivery of value for money
S14: present an evidence based narrative that is suitably adjusted to inform different types of audiences with different levels of health literacy
S15: use and adapt appropriate research techniques and principles to evaluate local services and interventions to contribute to the local evidence-base for effectiveness
S16: monitor, evaluate and disseminate (report) the impact of health and care projects, services and interventions, including quality impact
S17: engage stakeholders (including service users) in service design and development, to deliver accessible and equitable person-centred services
S18: implement standards, protocols and procedures, incorporating national ‘best practice’ guidance into local delivery systems
S19: appraise and implement government-led policies and strategies locally (eg: ensuring the equitable and effective implementation of winter fuel schemes to prevent deaths from cold; the implementation of the NHS Health Check programme)
S20: assess the impact and benefits of health and other policies and strategies on the public’s health and health inequalities (eg: using health impact assessment approaches or tools)
S21: develop or implement actions plans, with, and for, specific groups and communities, to deliver outcomes identified in strategies and policies
S22: evaluate one’s own interpersonal skills, and adapt to different situations through a developed proficiency in negotiation, influencing, diplomacy, mediation, facilitation
S23: use appropriate methods to establish and sustain effective working relationships with local partners in order to bring about positive outcomes in the health and wellbeing of the local population
S24: work collaboratively with colleagues across a broad range of partnership organisations to identify local needs, agree priorities, and deliver on action plans for joint health improvement programmes or services across the area
S25: interact with other specialists and colleagues to improve health and reduce health inequalities through the development, monitoring and review of public health programmes, including the commissioning and delivery of these programmes
S26: ensure, where relevant, that tendering and procurement processes are managed appropriately and within policy and legislative requirements when commissioning, planning or providing a range of services to bring about improvements in the public’s health (including the drawing up and negotiation of service specifications and performance indicators)
S27: facilitate positive contractual relationships understanding how disagreements and changes can be managed within legislative and operational frameworks
S28: Operate appropriately within the decision making, administrative and reporting processes that support political and democratic systems
S29: present a compelling case for action to improve health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities, using appropriate methods to capture and interpret the evidence
S30: use appropriate community engagement techniques to support individuals and communities to have more control over decisions that affect them while promoting health equity, equality and justice
S31: respond constructively to political and other tensions while encouraging a focus on the interests of the public’s health
S32: to engender trust by acting reliably with integrity, consistency and purpose
S33: work effectively within a team that is collectively responsible for leading and managing areas of public health business including the management or supervision of staff, resources or finances
S34: use appropriate leadership skills to engage others, build relationships, manage conflict, encourage contribution and sustain commitment to deliver shared objectives
S35: adapt to change, manage uncertainty, solve problems, and align clear goals with lines of accountability in complex and unpredictable environments
S36: communicate complex information and concepts, including health outcomes, inequalities and life expectancy, to a range of different audiences using different methods (e.g.: exploiting the evolving opportunities of digital capability and dependency, and the associated need for some audiences to be assisted with digital communications)
S37: work with communities, to facilitate their engagement and participation in: • needs assessments, service design and delivery • improving access to, and navigation of local services • action to improve health literacy where it is a barrier to accessing services and interventions
S38: apply a range of tools and technologies to improve health literacy where it is creating a barrier to accessing services and information
S39: manage public perception of health risks or solutions, and convey key messages using a range of media processes
S40: consult, and listen to individuals, groups and communities likely to be affected by planned intervention or change
S41: engage stakeholders and work collaboratively with colleagues across a broad range of partnership organisations to identify local needs, agree priorities and develop action plans for joint public health programmes across boundaries
S42: support the development, monitoring and review of public health programmes; identifying risks to delivery and the appropriate risk and issue reporting mechanisms; and re-assessing delivery schedules and methods to respond constructively to change
S43: develop projects and plans with key stakeholders and partner agencies to address local public health needs and bring about improvements in identified areas. Lead or contribute to delivery of these projects as appropriate within the scope of your role
S44: identify the resources needed to develop and deliver new public health activity, or to sustain public health services and interventions, and how these resources might be sourced
S45: help to determine shared priorities and action plans for public health programmes working with colleagues both from within the same organisation and across a range of other agencies
S46: build capacity and capability across the field of operation to increase impact and effectiveness of public health programmes and interventions, engaging with professional colleagues, and others groups of workers or volunteers who make up the wider public health workforce
S47: use appropriate tools and methods to appraise ethical tensions and to make decisions that promote ethical practice
S48: think and write reflectively about one’s own practice, lessons learned, and things that can be done differently for better outcomes eg: to keep a reflective log as part of one’s continuing professional development
S49: demonstrate professional characteristics throughout the course of one’s work eg: engendering trust; assuring confidentiality where appropriate; understanding one’s own limitations in terms of capability, accountability and expertise; the addressing of risks and issues in a timely and appropriate manner
S50: demonstrate awareness of personal impact on others, both fellow professionals, external partners and members of the public
Behaviours
B1: promotes the ability of others to make informed decisions
B2: acknowledges the importance of data confidentiality and disclosure and use of data sharing protocols
B3: acts in ways that are consistent with legislation, policies, governance frameworks and systems
B4: recognises peoples expressed beliefs and preferences
B5: promotes equality and diversity
B6: recognises the need for, and makes use of, opportunities for personal and others’ development while recognising different approaches and preferences for learning
B7: recognises ethical dilemmas or issues and addresses them appropriately e.g.: through the use of ethical frameworks
B8: recognises and acts within the limits of own competence seeking advice when needed
B9: contributes to the development and improvement of own and others' practice in public health by the application of evidence in improving own area of work
B10: objectively and constructively contributes to reviewing the effectiveness of own area of work
B11: values people as individuals
B12: continually develops own practice by reflecting on own behaviour and role, identifying where improvements can be made
Duty 1
DUTY: measure, monitor and report population health and wellbeing; health needs, risks, and inequalities; and the use of services
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Provides and uses data and intelligence accurately and within limitationsMaintains condentiality and adheres to the relevant legislation eg: GDPRAdheres to policies, protocols and governance frameworks
K1
K2
K3
K4
K5
S1
S2
S3
B1
B2
B3
Duty 2
DUTY: promote population and community health and wellbeing, addressing the wider determinants of health and health inequalities
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Uses approaches to engaging communities in line with guidanceCommunicates with individuals about their health and wellbeing in line with guidance eg: aroundappropriate use of new technologies such a digital mediadelivers in line with expectations around health inequalities and the wider determinants of health
K6
K7
K8
K9
S4
S5
S6
B4
B5
B6
Duty 3
DUTY: protect the public from environmental hazards, communicable disease, and other health risks, while addressing inequalities in risk exposure and outcomes
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Complies with health protection legislationResponds reliably to 'command and control' management approachesCommunicates risks to health clearly and succinctly
K10
K11
K12
K13
K14
S7
S8
S9
S10
B1
B7
B8
Duty 4
DUTY: access and use the evidence base, conduct research and provide informed advice
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Sources, and critically appraises the evidence to draw conclusions, in line with guidanceCommunicates the evidence clearly and succinctly
K15
K16
K17
S11
S12
S13
S14
S15
B1
B9
B10
Duty 5
DUTY: audit, evaluate and re-design services and interventions to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Complies with best practice guidance (eg: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE))and quality assurance frameworksUses audit and evaluation frameworks in line with instruction/guidance
K18
K19
K20
K54
S16
S17
S18
B3
B4
B7
Duty 6
DUTY: work with, and through, policies and strategies to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Applies policies and strategies in line with proceduresInterprets and assesses the impact of policies and strategies in line with guidance
K21
K22
K23
K24
S19
S20
S21
B5
B8
B9
Duty 7
DUTY: work collaboratively across agencies and boundaries to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Works with other agencies in line with partnership expectationsFacilitates collective eorts to deliver on actions agreed within a multi-agency environment in linewith good public health practice guidance
K25
K26
K27
S22
S23
S24
B4
B11
B12
Duty 8
DUTY: work in a commissioning based culture to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Complies with legislation and procedures eg: around public sector procurementCommunicates commissioning or service intentions clearly and succinctlyWorks with key performance indicators and other outcome measures associated with commissioned services in line with instructions/guidance
K28
K29
K30
K31
S25
S26
S27
B3
B5
B10
Duty 9
DUTY: work within political and democratic systems and with a range of organisational cultures to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Complies with relevant legislation (e.g. Equality Act 2010, Localism Act 2011, Public Services (social value) Act 2012)Delivers work in line with political and democratic instruction and procedures (such as local scheme of delegation or standard operating procedures)Communicates with politicians and partner organisations impartially and succinctly
K32
K33
K34
K35
S28
S29
S30
S31
B3
B5
B7
B9
Duty 10
DUTY: provide leadership to drive improvement in health outcomes and the reduction of health inequalities
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Influences others in line with good public health practice guidanceCommunicates with others clearly and succinctlyManages self and supervises others in line with instructions, procedures and guidance
K36
K37
K38
K39
S32
S33
S34
S35
B4
B6
B8
Duty 11
DUTY: communicate with others to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Applies appropriate guidance when consulting with others (eg: the Gunning Principles)Communicates with other clearly and succinctlyProvides information and opportunities for others to understand health and health services in line with good public health practice guidance
K40
K41
K42
K43
S36
S37
S38
S39
S40
B1
B4
B5
B11
Duty 12
DUTY: design and manage programmes and projects to improve health and reduce health inequalities
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Manages projects and programmes in line with best practice methodology and guidanceWorks in compliance with organisational governance frameworks
K44
K45
K46
S41
S42
S43
B3
B8
B10
Duty 13
DUTY: prioritise and manage resources at a population/systems level to achieve equitable health outcomes and return on investment
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Targets resources in line with prioritisation frameworksManages resources in compliance with proceduresEvaluates cost-efective use of resources in line with instructions and guidance
K47
K48
K49
K50
S44
S45
S46
B3
B6
B11
Duty 14
DUTY: work within ethical and professional boundaries while promoting population health and wellbeing, and addressing health inequalities
CRITERIA FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE: Uses ethical frameworks when assessing own and others workRaises ethical issues with others in line with protocols, procedures and good public health practiceguidance
