Personal Development Fund Guide

+Contact

Personal Development Support Fund

Process for employees

FAQs

Process for managers

Key information before applying

Key information before applying

What is the PDSF?

Am I eligible?

Using learning to achieve a goal or objective

What can learning look like?

Other considerations

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the current year’s fund to book training and attend in the following year?

Can I combine my Personal Development Support Fund with other team members?

Can I use the fund to purchase books?

I am new here, can I use the fund?

I need to complete a Clifton Strengths profile, will the cost of this be deducted from my development fund?

Can I use my fund for professional body membership fees?

How to Make a request

Once approved, buy and claim via Spendesk or request a Spendesk single-use card.

Put a request on Bob for PDSF. Follow the steps on the video to make a request.

The L&D team will then approve your virtual card.

Bob notifies your line manager for approval.

Answer

Providing you can book and pay for the training in the current year, you can attend the training in the following.

Here's everything you need to know about the Personal Development Support Fund. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact the L&D team!

Slack: #ask_learning_and_development

Email: Idteam@healios.org.uk

Answer

Answer

Please discuss this further with your manager, there are things that will need to be considered.

Please discuss this further with your manager, there are things that will need to be considered.

Answer

Yes, teammates can pool funds for group workshops. Just ensure everyone agrees and sees it as valuable. Mention it's a group activity when you put in a request and your manager will approve it.

Am I eligible to make use of the PDSF?

All permanent contract Healios employees are entitled to use this fund to help achieve their development goals.

What can learning look like?

Knowledge sharing and social learning

• Participating in an online community of practice.
• Leveraging networks to develop knowledge (e.g. LinkedIn).

On-the-job learning

• Training from another team member.
• Receiving feedback on tasks.
• Shadowing a colleague.
• Mentoring from an experienced colleague.
• Work assignments to develop skills.
• Presenting learned information to your team.
• Creating reference documents to share with the team.

Live learning

• Instructor-Led learning.
• Completing virtual classroom or in-person courses.
• Confrences/Seminars

On-demand learning

• Reading relevant books or articles.
• Using job aids.
• Watching videos, screen recordings, or demonstrations.
• Completing eLearning courses.

Process for Managers

Managers will go on HiBob and either accept or reject the request. If you reject the request, individuals will book in time to discuss the request. Watch the video on the left to see how it’s done.

Reasons for rejecting:

• Not sutiable for the role
• Exceeds yearly budget

Answer

It depends on whether the membership fee gives you access to learning and development opportunities. If it includes online learning, journals, podcasts, tutorials, seminars or professional communities, it's an allowable use of the PDSF. If not, the PDSF shouldn't be used for this purpose.

Using learning to achieve a goal or objective.

It's important to think about how you'll use the knowledge or skill you're trying to attain. Different activities suit different types of learning:

• Complex skills (like driving) need practise. Reading a book or attending a short webinar won't be enough.
• Software skills are best developed through hands-on use. Reference materials like videos, web pages or manuals can be very helpful.

Key points to consider:

• Is the learning activity relevant to your current role?
• Is it aligned with your career aspirations?
• Will the new skill/knowledge benefit your team and Healios?
• Is the timing right? Can you apply what you learn immediately?

Answer

The Clifton Strengths profile is a add on perk and does not come out of your PDSF. The cost of this is in addition to your PDSF allowance.

Other factors when arranging training with an external provider

Make sure to check the quality of your course provider. For example, a project management qualification from a well-known organization like CITI, such as the APM online course for £240, is likely to be a good choice.

The Personal Development Support Fund (PDSF) is available to help you achieve the development goals identified in your Performance and Growth Self-Reflection and Check-In meeting. We recognise that some learning activities have an associated cost and the fund is there to support you with this:

• Up to £300 (including VAT) per employee, per calendar year. Please ensure prices quoted and entered on the request form are inclusive of VAT.
• The annual allowance does not roll over if not used.
• Any funds provided are repayable to Healios should you leave within the 6 months following the learning activity.

What is the Personal Development Support Fund?

Answer

Yes, if they will benefit you in your role at Healios.