Q2 Workforce Report 2025/26
Argyll and Bute Council · 19 November 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute HSCP Integration Joint Board (IJB) — 19 November 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Integration Joint Board Date of Meeting: November 2025 Title of Report: Q2 WORKFORCE REPORT (2025/26) Presented by: Gaye Boyd, Deputy Director of People The Integrated Joint Board is asked to: • Note the content of the report. 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This workforce report details the workforce data of the HSCP as at 30th September 2025 and provides the current demographic position, highlighting trends and advising of changes and progress made, as well as actions taken to address areas of concern. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS To note and discuss the workforce data contained within the report. 3. DETAIL OF REPORT The attached information is provided in relevant sections with observations and actions advised and provides data on the following: • Headcount and WTE • Workforce Profile • Time to Fill (recruitment) • Vacancies • Sickness Absence • Employee Relations • Redeployment • Mandatory Training • Appraisals
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2 4. RELEVANT DATA AND INDICATORS - NHS workforce increased over the last 3 months by 17 (1.03%) - September 2025 in post figure of 1,665 (headcount) of substantive staff is an increase of 36 (2.21%) in the last 12 months. - 97.3% of contracts are permanent. - Both employers reporting 50% of workforce are over 50 - Within the HSCP, both employers are experiencing an increase in time to fill posts. Council posts take an average of 83 days to fill, an increase from 73 days in the first quarter, and NHS posts take on average 119.6 days to fill, an increase from 116.8 days in June. - Sickness absence in NHS has increased slightly from 5.10% to 6.31% in September. The days lost per WTE per month has hovered around 2 overall for the HSCP during Quarter 2. - Employee Relations cases in Health; in August 2025, two new Bullying and Harassment cases were raised in Argyll & Bute with nine remaining active, no new conduct cases were opened with four cases remaining active and one new grievance case was opened in A&B with five cases active - Employee relations cases remain low in Council; two Disciplinary cases and three Grievances were concluded. There were a further two new Disciplinary cases and four new Grievances initiated during Quarter 2. - Statutory and Mandatory Training completion rate for NHS staff increased since last report to 72% overall for eLearning modules. The compliance rates continue to improve however is short of the target of 95%. The new Council system is able to report on completed modules with 661 being completed during Q1 and 559 in Q2 - The NHS appraisal completion rate has increased slightly since the last quarter report to 31.2% from 29.8%. Argyll & Bute Council have moved away from PDP/appraisals to a less formalised quality conversation approach. An annual survey was conducted in May 2025 with a 10% return rate from employees and 13% from line managers. 5. CONTRIBUTION TO STRATEGIC PRIORITIES The information within this report contributes to the strategic priorities by informing decision making at all levels aligned to the delivery plan objectives, supporting best value and evidencing performance and progress. 6. GOVERNANCE IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Financial Impact A reduction in sickness absence will reduce costs and can evidence a direct saving.
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3 6.2 Staff Governance The workforce report is part of the suite of staff governance reports which evidence contribution to the Staff Governance Standard; Well Informed, Appropriately Trained and Developed, Involved in Decisions, Treated Fairly and Consistently and Continuously 7. PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY None 8. EQUALITY & DIVERSITY IMPLICATIONS E&D data is contained within the report. 9. GENERAL DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES COMPLIANCE No personal or sensitive information is contained within the report 10. RISK ASSESSMENT Workforce associated risks are contained within the risk register 11. PUBLIC & USER INVOLVEMENT & ENGAGEMENT No public or user involvement to report within this current report 12. CONCLUSIONS It is recommended that the Integration Joint Board: • Note the content of this quarterly workforce report. 13. DIRECTIONS Directions required to Council, NHS Board or both. Directions to: tick No Directions required X Argyll & Bute Council NHS Highland Health Board Argyll & Bute Council and NHS Highland Health Board 14. PREVIOUS REVIEW OF THE REPORT NIL REPORT AUTHOR AND CONTACT
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Officers that contributed information to the report are: Jo McDill, HR&OD Officer, Argyll and Bute Council hr-hscp@argyll-bute.gov.uk Iain MacDiarmid, Workforce Planning Manager, NHS Highland, nhsh.workforceplanning@nhs.scot