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Agenda for Change
This page explains the background to the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay modernisation process and the CSP's involvement and support for AfC.
Agenda for Change resources
For a full range of Agenda for Change (AfC) resources, including:
- the AfC agreement itself;
- the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF);
- the NHS Terms and Conditions Handbook;
- the job evaluation handbook;
- national job profiles; and
- subsequently negotiated amendments to parts of the agreement, such as Section 16 regarding new redundancy arrangements,
please visit the websites of:
Also on this site, we have an AfC Briefings section where you can find the AfC matching results for physiotherapy and similar items.
You can find the latest AfC news in the 'Related Alerts' panel on the right of this page.
Background to Agenda for Change
The government's pay modernisation plans for the National Health Service (NHS) - Agenda for Change (AfC) - were first published in February 1999. They proposed a radical overhaul to the way health service staff are rewarded for their work. The proposals represented the biggest shake-up in pay, grading and conditions since the NHS was founded in 1948. Annual leave, working hours and a range of other work-related issues are all covered by Agenda for Change.
The CSP was represented in all of the Agenda for Change negotiations - negotiations which went on for a period longer than the First World War. From the beginning the CSP took the view that, although not perfect, Agenda for Change represented a considerable improvement on the aged 'Whitley' system and was a good deal for physiotherapy, physiotherapists and physiotherapy assistants.
The CSP, by being part of the negotiations right from the start, adopted the view that participation with influence was the best course, and the only way to ensure that the agreement could be shaped in the best interests of CSP members. At all stages of the negotiations the Society's Industrial Relations Committee and National Group of Regional Stewards were kept fully briefed on developments.
In 2003, once the bulk of the AfC negotiations were concluded the CSP, along with the other health unions (17 in total), embarked on a consultation exercise with its members prior to a ballot on whether to accept or reject the agreement. CSP members employed in the NHS voted overwhelmingly to accept the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay modernisation package. Eighty six per cent (86%) of votes cast were in favour of accepting AfC, on a turnout of 78%.
On 1st May 2003 the CSP's Industrial Relations Committee formally recommended the CSP's acceptance of AfC but noted the need to resolve outstanding issues during the Early Implementation phase (and beyond, if necessary). Commenting on the verdict that CSP members in the NHS had delivered on AfC, Sarah Lawrence, IRC Chair, said:
‘I am extremely pleased that members have voted to accept Agenda for Change. The high level of member participation in the ballot and throughout the CSP's consultation has been particularly impressive. Crucial in assessing the deal... was a judgement on whether AfC represented an improved career structure compared with Whitley and whether sufficient numbers of members, qualified and assistants, would be upgraded under the new system.’
