Appraisals and appraisal season

What is an appraisal?

Appraisals are an important way for us to create a working environment in which all colleagues can thrive.

A great appraisal conversation help us to:

• Build trust
• Strengthen relationships
• Learn from each other and share ideas
• Understand perspectives
• Share and deal with problems quickly

And create an environment in which we:

• Feel safe
• Team up
• Keep learning
• Lead collectively

Our appraisal season

Sheffield Children’s appraisal season runs from April to June each year. During this time all colleagues who come under Agenda for Change terms and conditions should have their annual appraisal.

Each year there is an appraisal season census during the month of July. The final appraisal season deadline is 31 July.

If it was not possible for you to have your appraisal during the appraisal season – if you joined the Trust outside of the appraisal season or if you were away from the Trust during the season for long-term leave then it is important that you do not wait until the next appraisal season for your annual appraisal. You should work with your manager/appraiser to get this booked into the diary soon. In the case of new starters, within the first three months of starting your new job as part of your induction process.

Your appraisal form

As part of the annual appraisal process, you and your manager/appraiser will need to complete the Appraisal Form. Included within the form is space to record and review your objectives and space to create a Personal Development Plan (PDP) for the year ahead. You should both keep a copy of the Appraisal Form and PDP for your records.

After you have had your appraisal you do not need to supply the full Appraisal Form to the EL&OD department. Instead your manager/appraiser will just need to notify the EL&OD department that the appraisal conversation has taken place. They can do this using the online form below. New starters can also use the appraisal form to support their objective setting and development planning conversations – concentrating on parts B, C and D of the form.

Tell us that you’ve had an appraisal conversation

You should also complete this form for a new starter’s objective setting and development planning conversation.