As part of NHS England’s transformation under the Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Retention self-assessment tool has been renamed the Staff experience assessment tool.

This shift reflects a broader strategic intent to modernise and strengthen the NHS people offer, while also future-proofing workforce improvement approaches in line with the forthcoming NHS staff standards.  Designed to be both responsive and scalable, the tool will help NHS organisations create inclusive environments where all staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

The tool enables organisations to conduct a self-assessment against the 7 elements of the NHS people promise, alongside other key factors known to support high-quality care delivery, job satisfaction, and retention across professional groups.

The purpose of the tool is to help organisations identify strengths and areas for improvement, using this insight to develop and implement evidence-based retention improvement plans.

A supporting toolkit is available to guide line managers and employers in applying the findings, including a retention improvement plan template that supports locally tailored and sustainable action. If you have any questions about the tool, please email england.lookingafterourpeople@nhs.net