Less than Full Time Training Policy - KSS Deanery

Training posts require approval by the Head of KSS School of General Practiceand Foundation posts require approval by the STFS Director/Associate Director.6.3 LTFT Training ApprovalThe approval process is not complete until the trainee receives writtenconfirmation following full completion of the LTFT Training Funding ApprovalForm. This form requires completion by the trainee, the employing trust and theDeanery.6.4 Agreed Start DateIt is very important that trainees remain in regular contact with the Deanery tocommunicate any information which may impact on the trainee’s preferred startdate for LTFT Training. This includes changes to address, names, employinglocation, working hours and/or periods of long-term absence, e.g. maternitybreaks/serious illness.7 LTFT Training PlacementsWith effect from 21 July 2010, LTFT Training in KSS Deanery may be undertakenin one of two ways. These are listed below.7.1 Slot SharingOver time, the LTFT Training section of the Deanery website will be updated withtrainee experiences so that good practice can be shared across the local healtheconomy. In the meantime, this section focuses on clarifying how it is expectedto operate and how the Deanery will contribute to the funding and support of bothtrainees and employer colleagues. This aims to include slot sharingarrangements that exist in specialties which appear to be less popular for LTFTTraining, as well as some useful hints and tips which might need to be consideredif slot sharing is to succeed as the means of facilitating LTFT trainee demand andseeking to mainstream the needs of LTFT trainees, as was the intention of ‘TheNew Pay Deal’ which was introduced for LTFT Training back in June 2005. Laterin this policy, there are further references to the principles and pay arrangementswhich were anticipated when the changes were introduced.In KSS Deanery, Slot sharing works on the basis that two trainees share one fulltimepost and manage any out-of-hours between them. However, each doctormay work up to 80% whole time equivalent (WTE) and is paid as an individualtrainee on the basis of actual contracted hours. Slot sharing is distinct from jobsharingas it does not restrict the postholders to work 50% of a full-time post.This option tends to provide the most effective means of meeting the trainee’seducational needs and, in KSS, slot sharing must be explored before anyalternative options are considered. KSS Deanery recommends that LTFTtrainees work a minimum of 50% in order to retain their skills and to achievenecessary competences.The Deanery funding for slot shares currently provides the employer with surplusfunds as an incentive, which can be used to support the LTFT Trainingplacement, which may not be the case in other Deaneries, who may require slotsharers to work 50:50. Whilst both trainees are paid for actual hours worked,subject to available funds, the employer will receive additional reimbursement asoutlined in the Slot Share Example below. It is recognised that LTFT trainee slotshare partners may change during the training programme, depending on theindividual training needs and circumstances and reasonable steps should betaken by the employer and the Deanery to accommodate the needs of theKSS Less Than Full Time Training Policy.doc Page 8 of 15