The NHS Leadership and Management Framework responds to reviews of leadership in health and care, including the Messenger review (2022) and Kark review (2019), and supports the 10 Year Health Plan.

To deliver the ambitions set out in the plan, the NHS needs clinical and non-clinical leaders and managers at all levels, who are confident, capable, and future-focused to respond to the evolving needs of staff, patients, and communities.

The framework consists of 3 elements:

• A leadership and management code – this sets out the principles and behaviours expected of every manager and leader within our health and care system.
• A national, consistent set of standards – the essential competencies for all clinical and non-clinical NHS leaders and managers at every level.
• The national curriculum (this will be published in Winter 2026) – this sets out the development expectations at each level of leaders and managers.

All leaders and managers will have access to professional development and support to meet the expected standards and competencies in the NHS Leadership and Management Framework.

The framework will provide a consistent foundation for leadership and management development across the NHS. It has been published as part of the establishment of the new NHS College of Leadership and Management as the national home for NHS leadership, management and talent excellence.

In partnership with the service and building on the foundations established through existing leadership communities, the college will help strengthen professional identity, support career development, improve talent management and learning, and provide a recognised quality mark for leadership and management.

We will work closely with partners to shape the college’s future priorities, development offers and ways of working, with opportunities for organisations and individuals to contribute to its development.

For more information about the NHS College of Leadership and Management please read Danny Mortimier and Ed Smith’s letter.