A Guide to the Staff Group, Job Role and Area of Work classifications used in ESR

This guidance was developed by NHS England in conjunction with the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) central team, the Workforce Information Review Group (WIRG).and a number of NHS organisations. 

It is intended primarily as guidance for organisations that use the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) but will also be of relevance to users of other systems that also make use of these classifications, and to those who report or interpret data based upon them.

This guidance has been developed from and replaces the ESR document ‘A Guide to Job Roles, Staff Groups and Areas of Work’ which was last published in December 2019.  This document is intended as an enhanced guidance tool, containing basic information regarding the principles and definitions of the relevant values as well as contextual detail.

This guidance is intended to be a ‘living’ document which will be reviewed and updated as required, and we welcome feedback and ideas for development.  When changes are made we will update the NHS England (former NHS Digital) website and email relevant contacts.

If you wish to be on the contact list for updates or you wish to make comments or suggestions, or require further information please contact NHS England, with ‘Staff Group, Job Role and Area of Work’ in the subject line: [email protected].