Manager said I "don't fulfill Band 4' requirements and interview pending (NHS)

[treacletoffeeandcandyfloss]

Hi ladies, just looking for a bit of of a hand-hold I guess, asfeeling a little disheartned by something my manager said recently.
For background, I'm employed by the NHS in a band 4 position. I've been in the role for just about 3 months and came from a band 3 role (although only band 3 I had a lot of responsibilities in addition to the main job description).
So I came from a long-term band 3 to band 4. Admittedly there's been a lot more to learn in this job (new packages and more responsibility for mentoring new staff, that kind of thing).
Had a meeting with my manager last week, just a standard 121 that everyone on the team has. We talked about how I'm settling in and finding the role, just a general chat about it. We also talked about a couple of mistakes I've made (mainly in the new processes and because I've been working remotely a lot of the time without people avilable to ask for guidance).
Although my manager is lovely and very fair, she said 'Michelle, you're not fulfilling band 4 requirements" and "I would have expected you to be fully competent and established in the role by now." Indicating that I'm too slow at learning or picking up new things. I've been doing my best under very hard circumstances (being WFH most days) and with the added pressures of covid and everything else.
I took it on the chin but was quite upset by what she said. We discussed an action plan to help me get up to speed in certain aspects of the job, this will be reviewed periodically.
However, at the end of January I have an interview for another band 4 position. I meet all the requirements on its job description so knew I had nothing to lose by applying. Put a lot of effort into the application so was really happy to be shortlisted for interview.
My concern is, if I get the job and manager is approached for a reference is:

1. Could she tell the recruiter she personally doesn't think I meet band 4 standards of efficiency?

1. She has only known me about 4 months, so would her reference count for much? Or would they approach my previous manager as well as her? Previous manager was fantastic, gave me lot of additional responsibility as she had confidence in me, but I don't want current manager's feelings about my work influcence the recruiter to retract any job offer of another band 4 position.

At the end of the day, I just want to develop, learn and get on in the NHS. Everyone who moved up a band has to start somewhere and we all have different learning journeys. Just don't want her to rain on my parade if I get lucky and the interviewer feels I'm a good fit for the new job.

Assuming this is the same organisation I would absolutely expect that the person recruiting would consult your current manager, they would probably be interested in why moving on so soon as well.

I am an experienced hiring manager and yes I would put weight on this reference, but I would consult the prior manager as well and look to get a balanced view.

To be honest, would you have applied for this job if you had not had the difficult conversation? Would working on the improvement areas identified not make more sense at this time? Your current boss has been clear with you and sounds like they are willing to work with you to improve. That is not a bad thing in a manager.

Thanks for your thoughts Aprilx.
Just to clarify, I applied for the new job before the discussion with current manager. I just found out this morning that I've been shortlisted for an interview.
I'm just feeling a bit disheartened by my manager's view that I'm not really band 4 material (at least not yet anyway).
I enjoy the current role but applied for the other one (the one where I have an interview) because the hours will fit better around my commitments outside of work and they will be less travel involved.
Yeah, I totally accept and agree that my manager is being very reasonable. I don't have anything negative to say about my manager or current role. I just need something closer to home and more suitable hours. Current role involves some rather late evenings and travel, which isn't ideal for my childcare commitments as I have no family nearby I could ask for help.

I am reading again what your manager said and I didn’t get any hint of her suggesting that you were not band 4 material. She said that you are currently not fulfilling the requirements. That is a totally different message and you should try to take it in the constructive manner that it seems it was said.

Anyway it sounds like you will have plausible reasons for moving on so soon so that is good.

If all NHS references are the same, then they are very basic ie. how long worked, sickness record, if you have any warnings against you. Just tick box really.

I wouldn’t let it get you down . I think it’s fair enough to be asked to improve but it doesn’t mean you are rubbish at the job . Just apply and don’t worry :). 4 months isn’t a lot. Took me a year to really get into a role I did and the managers said I was excellent at it . I guess some managers are more harsh than others, my work places have taken a take as long as you need to train we will support you type approach knowing that people learn at different speeds.

Hi, I work in HR (& have worked previously in the NHS). Lots of our staff hired during lockdown are meeting the reqs of their grade - through no fault of their own, and for exactly the reasons you stated. We’ve extended many probation periods due to this, but have explained that it’s due to the difficulties of learning a new job remotely & likely nothing to do with the staff member.

Aren’t