All scheme employers are advised that following consultation a Charter detailing the high-level roles and responsibilities of Scheme Employers has been produced and published.
This document which is now available from the link below has been jointly produced by the Department of Health, NHS Employers and NHS Pensions after consultation with local Pension Administrators, HR representatives and Regional Workforce Directors.
The Charter is jointly aimed at those who hold overall accountability, and those who are responsible for actual local administration within the employing organisation to provide explicit clarification of their role and responsibilities. Adherence to this Charter is crucial and this has been highlighted in the NHS Operating Framework for 2012/13.
The document also promotes the requirement for NHS Pensions and Scheme Employers to work effectively in partnership and to set out at a high level the various undertakings that a local employer must undertake in administrating the scheme. Within the document Scheme Employers are reminded of their legal obligations in this regard and their need to be fully compliant against their responsibilities. The document will be regarded as a living document and will be subject to regular review as the pensions landscape changes. A separate document outlining the roles and responsibilities of NHS Pensions will also be produced.
Employer's Charter - February 2012 (PDF 299kb)