Public Sector Future Workforce Forum meeting: 10 February 2026

1. The Chair welcomed members to the 2nd meeting of the Public Sector Future Workforce Forum (PSFWF). It was confirmed that at the first meeting a number of practical steps were considered for establishing the PSFWF but that following this, members would need to agree the operational practices and work programme for the forum.

2. The Chair explained that the paper for this item offered a number of discussion points to guide members thinking on roles and behaviours expected at the PSFWF, based on working in Social Partnership. The following captures the key points raised.

• There needs to be a clear space for honest and frank discussions so members understand one another’s positions.
• Forward notice needs to be provided when members intend raising an issue so it can be properly considered ahead of meetings.
• It was acknowledged that agreement would not always be possible and would need to be managed respectfully so it didn’t negatively impact on discussions; differences of opinion would simply be recorded.
• It was stressed that the PSFWF had a focus on forward thinking, that reaching consensus (whilst desirable) was not its primary aim and that constructive challenge enriched conversations.
• Need to ensure lived experience is captured across different groups when considering workforce issues.
• Minutes of meetings should just capture key points/actions and be non-attributable but would need to be clear enough so members understand any further action required of them. It was noted that members often had formal structures they would need to report to on the outcomes of meetings and so clarity would be important.
• Every other meeting should be in person to strengthen engagement by members. Once the PSFWF has been in operation consideration should be given to holding in-person meetings across different parts of Wales.
• Members would consider any extra support they might need as the PSFWF progressed.

Action

The PSFWF Support Team to action the administrative points agreed by members regarding meeting styles/locations and the recording of discussions.

3. The Chair explained that to scope the PSFWF’s work programme a meeting took place on the 19 January with a sample of members (or their representatives). The meeting proposed two work strands: tackling violence and harassment in the workplace (with a focus on frontline staff) and a continued focus on equalities but with a broader remit than the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan (ArWAP) which would include race but also other under-represented areas such as disability and socio-economic disadvantage.

4. The Chair asked the PSFWF if they were content to agree the proposed work programme. The following captures key discussion points.

• It was agreed the broadened ArWAP work strand would now be referred to as the Equalities work strand. 
• Both work-strands to be delivered through dedicated Task and Finish groups to emphasise that they will operate for a defined period rather than as standing sub-groups of the PSFWF.
• The importance of avoiding duplication with existing forums was stressed.
• It was emphasised that the violence in the workplace strand needed a broader focus than the work of the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) team in this area. This could include considering the impact of extremism in the workplace.
• The equalities work-strand could consider specific issues relating to Social Care including the experiences of migrant workers.
• Nicky Hughes (RCN) and Sharon Davies (WLGA) to jointly chair the Tackling Violence and Harassment in the Workplace Task and Finish Group.
• Dom Houlihan (Welsh Government) and Tom Hoyles (GMB) to jointly chair the Equalities Task and Finish Group. Sian Boyles (PCS) to support Tom Hoyles.
• Membership of both Task and Finish Groups was discussed and initial nominations were offered. To ensure everyone was captured and members had enough time to consider their nominations, it was agreed the Support Team would write to the joint chairs of both groups to agree a process for seeking representatives.
• It was noted that membership should be kept to manageable levels with a suggestion that a maximum of ten members would be an optimal amount. It was also agreed there should be flexibility to invite experts to attend meetings of the Task and Finish Groups where required.
• It was agreed that both Task and Finish Groups would take a phased approach as follows (each phase would involve different sets of people):
  • Phase 1: the Support Team to contact the joint chairs of each Task and Finish Group seeking their membership nominations and advice on what existing data can be drawn on to inform their work. This would determine what types of information, best practice and other resources can shape an approach by each Task and Finish Group.
  • Phase 2: the data gathering exercise above to inform a mapping workshop for each Task and Finish Group to better determine potential areas of focus. Those invited to the workshops would be broader than the members of the PSFWF and would be co-ordinated through the joint chairs.
  • Phase 3: the workshops to inform scoping discussions at the first meetings of each Task and Finish Group to agree their exact focus.

Agreement

Members agreed the proposed workstreams and that these should be taken forward by dedicated Task and Finish Groups.

Action

The Support Team to write to the joint chairs of the two PSFWF Task and Finish Groups seeking membership nominations for each and helping to co-ordinate this. To also ask the chairs for advice on what existing data can be drawn on to inform the mapping workshops proposed under Phase 2.

5. The Chair explained that at the previous meeting members discussed the PSFWF’s website and the types of materials to be included on its integrated Resource Centre. It was confirmed that the work of the former Workforce Partnership Council (WPC) had been uploaded to the Centre following agreement by members.

6. The PSFWF Support Team explained that:

• The Resource Centre was live and aimed to bring together a collection of practical, high‑value resources to strengthen capability across the public sector. This would include toolkits, guidance, best practice and case studies.
• The centre would host 2 categories of material: PSFWF‑specific resources developed through the forum’s work; and broader public sector workforce resources that can support cross‑sector development and problem‑solving.
• The primary audience for the centre would be Trade Union representatives and devolved employer HR specialists.
• Members were asked to consider what documents they wished to see included in the centre and provide these to the Support Team in due course.
• It was explained that any proposals would need to be agreed by the PSFWF out of committee. This also applied to any documents belonging to the former WPC which members wished to see removed from the centre.
• It was explained that the centre would be hosted by Welsh Government and so any documents being proposed for inclusion would need to be bilingual.
• Members also stressed the importance of quality controlling the documents that would be uploaded and ensuring they remained current.

Agreement

Members agreed the approach outlined for developing the PSFWF’s integrated Resource Centre. 

Action

PSFWF members to provide any suggested documents for inclusion to the forum’s integrated Resource Centre to the Support Team psfutureworkforceforum@gov.wales.

7. Minutes and matters arising were noted and agreed by members.

8. No issues were raised under AOB.

• Laura Doel (Chair) - NAHT (Trade Union)
• Sian Boyles - PCS (Trade Union)
• Mark Turner - Unison (Trade Union)
• Tom Hoyles - GMB (Trade Union) 
• Nicky Hughes - RCN (Trade Union)
• Reg Kilpatrick - Welsh Government
• Georgina Haarhoff - Welsh Government
• Stephen Layne - Welsh Government
• Dom Houlihan - Welsh Government (Employer)
• Alison Standfast - Qualifications Wales (Employer)
• Sharon Davies - WLGA (Employer)

Apologies

• Helen Arthur - Welsh Government
• Martin Mansfield (deputy for Helen Arthur) - Welsh Government
• Samantha Morgan - NHS (Employer)

Other

• Sharon West - Welsh Government
• Ceri Williams (observer) - TUC Cymru (Trade Union)

Support Team

• Mark Lewis - Welsh Government
• Rachel Loveridge - Welsh Government
• Jessica Khoshooee - Welsh Government
• Beca ap Robert - Welsh Government