10 September 2021

The appraisal window for 2021/22 is underway and this year we have two systems operating.

Former North West Boroughs colleagues who transferred to the Mid Mersey Division will continue with performance development reviews (PDRs) using the usual paperwork, while staff who were part of Mersey Care before 1 June will use PACE Lite.

Former North West Boroughs colleagues who transferred to other divisions – such as corporate or secure – have a little more flexibility around which method is more appropriate, depending who your line manager is. If your line manager is someone who was already within Mersey Care before 1 June, it is likely you will use PACE Lite instead of the PDR approach, but this may vary from team to team. If you have any queries about this, please contact: paceandsupervision@merseycare.nhs.uk

Following agreement at the People Committee, both appraisal windows have been aligned and all staff have until 31 December to complete their appraisal. 

Please note: It is a mandated, contractual agreement that all staff undertake annual appraisal and failure to do so could potentially affect pay progression for staff within Agenda for Change pay bands who are due an incremental progression from 1 April 2022, which is when the new pay progression policy comes into effect.

The effect of the pandemic last year has meant some staff did not have the opportunity to complete an appraisal. Many of our staff faced unprecedented personal and workplace challenges, further highlighting the importance of appraisals for 2021/22. The process is specifically designed to support your wellbeing, job satisfaction, development, performance, and team-based working.

ACTION: If you have not already had an appraisal or PDR conversation, please speak to your manager about getting one booked in as soon as possible in order to meet the Trust-wide target timescale of 90 per cent by the end of December.

The current compliance rate is broken down by division below.

Divisions

Number of employees in scope

PACE completed between 1 April 21 and 7 Sept 21

Trajectory target at the end of September = 45%

(90% by end December)

Community Division

2,164

616 (28%)

Below target by 17%

Corporate Division

1,183

73 (6%)

Below target by 39%

Local

Division

1,601

 

309 (19%)

Below target by 26%

Secure Specialist and Learning Services Division

1,504

290 (19%)

Below target by 26%

Mid Mersey Division

3,127

966 (31%)

Below target by 14%

 

Total

 

9,579

 

2,254 (24%)

 

Below target by 21%

 

Training for PACE Lite

If you are new to the organisation or want to access Pace Lite training, there are two sessions available to book online:

  • Reviewee training, with information about how to use the system
  • Reviewer training, with good practice information for managers who are completing PACE Lite with team members

For dates and to book your place, go to section three of the Prospectus.

Training for PDR

Mid Mersey Division colleagues can access training on how to have a meaningful PDR conversation on the following dates: 

  • Thursday 7 October (1-3.30pm)
  • Wednesday 3 November (10am-12.30pm)
  • Tuesday 23 November (10am-12.30pm)

These sessions are for both reviewers and reviewees. To book a place, email: organisationaleffectiveness@merseycare.nhs.uk

Maximising potential

The maximising potential approach is changing at Mersey Care. We will be implementing the new National Scope for Growth model over the next year or so. You will see and hear more about this exciting work over the coming months. However, as part of the current PDR and PACE, please continue to complete a maximising potential conversation where relevant as this is an important part of your career aspirations and development at Mersey Care.

If you need any help or support with the maximising potential conversation, please contact Mandy Middleton, Senior OE Practitioner: amanda.middleton@merseycare.nhs.uk

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