This paper has been commissioned by the Department of Health, Care Programme Approach Review Group.

The paper presents:

• a functional map for the care co-ordination task; and,
• National Occupational Standards (NOS) which underpin these functions.

The functional map and associated NOS may be used to inform the implementation of Care Programme Approach (CPA) policy, including:

• the development of local protocols and procedures to support the implementation of CPA;
• role review and (re)design;
• the development of job descriptions, and recruitment processes;
• performance assessment, supervision and appraisal;
• skills review, to identify and inform continuing professional development needs and planning;
• training and education commissioning and delivery;
• curricula development;
• performance management; and
• service commissioning.

Method

Three key tasks were carried out to produce the functional map and associated competences. They were,

• a desktop review of literature and key policies and National Occupational Standard suites (Appendix 1);
• identification of the core functions of the care co-ordination role, and associated functional statements; and
• mapping competences against key functions, using the Skills for Health Competence Clusters tool.1