Paul starts his role as Strategic Delivery Partner with us this month (October 2024) and will be reaching out to forces over the course of the next six months to socialise the guidance and support forces with its adoption.
Service Director Andy Rhodes OBE QPM said, ‘We are delighted that someone with Paul’s operational experience and personal commitment to wellbeing is joining us to help introduce and socialise the new Workforce Prioritisation Guidance. Wellbeing is such a wide-ranging issue - it’s important that we provide clarity on what needs to be prioritised which is something forces, and other stakeholders have been crying out for. Paul is ideally placed to engage with forces and other influential partners to bring the guidance into reality.’
Paul Fotheringham said, ‘"I am delighted to have the opportunity to support Andy and the team in delivering the NPWS Workforce Prioritisation Guidance across the country. While we made significant strides during my tenure as President of the PSA, I felt there was still unfinished business for me in this critical area. So, when I received the call to help, I couldn’t turn it down. There’s much work to be done, and I look forward to reconnecting with colleagues and working more broadly to support forces in delivering first-class welfare and wellbeing for their staff.”
About the Workforce Prioritisation Guidance
This guidance is the culmination of over a decade of research and engagement. It brings everything together into once place so police forces can provide excellent wellbeing support.
It has been developed following consultation with stakeholders across policing, who have been seeking clarity and consistency in this space, so everyone is clear on prioritisation and affordability.
The guidance has its roots in high profile projects such as the Frontline Review and Officer and Staff Safety Review, and is grounded in research and practice from leading experts in the UK and abroad. We also see it as a foundation for the Police Covenant into the future.
This is the first iteration of the guidance and as our knowledge of its application, and of what works deepens, it will actively be developed.
Aims and purpose
The guidance aims to provide clarity on how police forces should structure their wellbeing strategies and identify priority interventions that create the greatest impact on the ground.
It will serve as a practical, accessible resource that consolidates research findings, employee feedback, and best practices from the last decade.
The development of this guidance should send a strong message to everyone working in policing that their wellbeing is being taken seriously and is of such importance that this guidance is justified.
Key components of the guidance
- Evidence-based wellbeing strategy: Clear direction on delivering a scalable, high-quality, and affordable wellbeing strategy.
- Priority activities: Identification of activities proven to improve the wellbeing of police officers and staff.
- Universal support: Guidance on universal wellbeing activities available to all staff
- Role specific support: Tailored guidance and toolkits, co-produced with national leads for specific role profiles.
Implementation
The guidance emphasises a proactive, whole-system approach to wellbeing, focusing on prevention rather than crisis response.
It outlines essential components such as the Blue Light Wellbeing Framework, Operation Hampshire, Occupational Health Standards, peer support networks, and strategies to address fatigue and trauma.
The guidance is part of our ongoing effort to demonstrate our commitment to the wellbeing of those who serve in policing. It is designed to assist forces in investing wisely, becoming intelligent customers in the wellbeing marketplace, and ensuring that the health and safety of police officers and staff is prioritised.