Families toolkit

This toolkit has been designed for forces, by forces with the aim of ensuring that police families are heard, valued, informed and know where to seek wellbeing support for their loved ones if they need it.

It is intended to help bolster the support that forces currently have available to strengthen connections with police families and acknowledge the vital role they play, whilst often managing their own busy careers and commitments.

As our knowledge and understanding of this area deepens, we will continue to update the toolkit, so it remains an up to date and valuable resource to share best practice across all forces. 

The toolkit

The wider OK Family Life programme is underpinned by independently conducted research and the engagement work built on crowdsourcing the real-life experiences of police families.

We hope that this toolkit will help guide forces in developing how they communicate with and support families. To help you implement what you read in this toolkit, consideration should be given to setting up a families working group to help implement your family plans. Members of this group could include families lead, NARPO, Unison/Unite and the Police Federation. The working group can report into the force Police Covenant Board or Senior Leadership Team.

The Police Covenant

The Police Covenant acknowledges the sacrifices made by those who serve or have served in our police forces, either in a paid or voluntary capacity, whether as an officer or as a member of staff. It is intended to ensure that they and their families are not disadvantaged because of that commitment and seeks to mitigate the impact on their day-to-day life.

The Government committed in its 2019 Manifesto to putting the Covenant into law which it achieved through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. It is fully supported by all Chief Constables across England and Wales.

Enshrining the Covenant in law is seen as a way of ensuring it remains a priority, with annual reports to Parliament bringing progress into focus. 

The development of this toolkit is driven by the Police Covenant which means all police forces need to demonstrate they’re taking action to support families. We’re here to help you do that.

With special thanks to Merseyside Police, North Wales Police, Bedfordshire Police and Staffordshire Police for their support in creating this resource.

Family Stall

Find out how to deliver a portable family stall – a hub which includes a range of resources.

Family stall
Family days

A great way to thank families for the support they provide to their loved ones and give them an insight into the world of policing.

Family days
Educational guides

Working in policing throws up unique challenges that can have a wider impact on families. It's important to provide guidance and advice.

Educational guides
Social media

Your force social media channels are a fantastic way to reach family and friends of officers and staff more directly.

Social media
Family at work days

By showcasing the work of the police to police families, we deepen the connection and understanding between us and the people who know us best.

Family at work days
Op Hampshire

When an officer or staff member is assaulted, the impact can resonate beyond the workplace.

Op Hampshire
Resource centre

Finding space in force for a resource centre is a great way for those colleagues that need help to get it.

Resource centre
Online harms

Find out how to better support officers, staff and their families with online privacy and protect them from harm. This is an increasingly important topic and one that's getting more and more challenging.

Online harms
Family knowledge hub

The addition of a family knowledge hub to your force website can be an easy way to connect with the family audience.

Family knowledge hub
Email newsletters

Email-newsletters can be very cost-effective way of communication your workforce and their families.

Email newsletters
Attestation events

Special events for the officers concerned and for their families, many of whom have supported and invested in their loved one throughout their training.

Attestation events
Family panels

The creation of a family panel could deliver a range of benefits including insight into the lives of policing families and the things they want to change.

Family panels
Family network

Families have told us that they want to feel part of the police family and be connected with other police families and feel less isolated.

Family network
Financial education

Financial wellbeing is an area of significant importance for Police Families and it's important forces provide support.

Financial education
Family booklet

With the help of North Wales Police, Oscar Kilo have put together a booklet for forces to give to police families.

Family booklet
Family policy - Online Hub

Our research in this area has highlighted the importance of good family policy and understanding its impact. With their permission, we've created an online family policy hub using the NPCC family policy guidance. 

Family policy