NHS - going down a band and back up

[Piccalino3]

I worked in a band 7 job for 10 years so was at the top of the band. I had a break of service for 3 years and have recently started a job at band 6, at the top of the band.

Does anyone know, if I were to get another band 7 job would I have to start back at the bottom of the band because I'm currently working at a 6 or is there a case for me to go to the top of the band as that is where I used to work for a significant amount of time. Or is it all discretionary?

I did look for the policies on the AfC bands but couldn't find anything in relation to this.

I think there's an overlap between bands and you'd start at the next increment above where you currently are.

I think it very much depends on the Trust you work for!! There is usually an overlap between the bands so top band 6 is low band 7

The pay doesn't overlap anymore, so a B7 at the bottom of their band will always be paid more than a B6.

They DO have some discretion on the pay scale but it can be a bit of a battle. I suspect a PP is right, that some trusts may be more willing than others. They can take into account other 'non-NHS reckonable service', so you definitely could argue your case. I guess you might also need to justify your work is still 'top of B7 standard' if it has been a while.

Thanks everyone, so if I can get a band 7 post it's probably back to bottom of the band and working my way up again. I have a fairly niche knowledge so I think it would really depend on the role I was going for if I could argue going up the band at all. Good to know to manage my expectations anyway.

My previous post might have been a bit negative. I definitely think you should argue your experience means you should be top of B7. But you might need to push it a bit with HR.