PSP026: National Learning and Development Programmes (NIHR National Learning Directory/Database)

This POF Support Page provides additional advice and information to enable Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDNs) to fulfil the contractual obligations relating to the Workforce, Learning and Organisational Development requirements, as specified within the NIHR RDN Performance and Operating Framework (POF). 

The RRDN Host Organisation will be responsible for adhering to NIHR jointly agreed RDN/RRDN defined quality standards and processes applicable to learning materials, resources and tools.   An ongoing RDN National Learning Database of quality assured training programmes for the RDN Funded Workforce will evolve from the current RDN National Learning Directory.  The RRDN Management Team will ensure the RRDN adopts resources from the National Learning Directory where appropriate.  

Formal training (including but not limited to the GCP education suite) offered by the RRDN to RDN-funded staff should be managed via the NIHR Learn platform, ensuring learner registration data and certifications can be tracked nationally. 

RRDN Host Organisations are expected to work with NIHR RDN leaders to:

• jointly maintain the quality standard for defining 'good' learning assets;

• share at the earliest opportunity awareness of RRDN plans to create new learning resources (with a view of identifying opportunities to extend the impact of these resources beyond the RRDN);

• encourage the submission of relevant, best practice learning (training programmes and learning resources) for review and possible inclusion in a RDN National Learning Database of quality assured training.

• ensure that funded RDN/RRDN staff have access to programmes/resources that form part of the National Learning Directory / RDN National Database (including but not limited to the GCP Education Suite);

The NIHR RDN National Learning Programmes Directory (and future RDN National database of quality assured training programmes) contains programmes which:

• are mission critical to NIHR RDN/RRDN, meeting a core need amongst the research delivery workforce and providing a consistent, structured learning journey

• are available/accessible across the whole RDN

• meet appropriate quality standards

• are not provided by employers nationally.

GCP: Good Clinical Practice

LMS: Learning Management System

NIHR: National Institute of Health and Care Research

POF: Performance and Operating Framework

RDN: Research Delivery Network

RDNCC: Research Delivery Network Coordinating Centre

RRDN: Regional Research Delivery Network

Version number: 4.0 

Effective from date: 1 October 2024

Amanda Leslie

Learning Design Manager

Email: amanda.leslie@nihr.ac.uk

Tristan Marshall-Regan

Learning Systems Coordinator

Email: tristan.marshall-regan@nihr.ac.uk