Welcome to the Oscar Kilo conference and awards. Here's the full agenda for both days.
Day One: Tuesday 13 October
09.00
Arrivals, registration and networking
10.00
Welcome address
Andy Rhodes OBE QPM - NPWS and Chief Constable Gavin Stephens - NPCC
10.30
From strategy to reality: what police reform means for our workforce
Andy Rhodes OBE QPM - NPWS, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens - NPCC, Geoff Cheshire - CEO Police Care UK
Facilitated by Gamal Fahnbulleh
Policing is entering a significant period of reform – but what will that mean for the people responsible for delivering it? This opening panel will explore where workforce health and wellbeing fits within the changing policing landscape, what the evidence is telling us about the experience of our people, and how national investment and ambition can translate into meaningful change. The conversation will also consider how policing can work with the wider network of organisations and trusted partners around its workforce to ensure support reaches individuals and makes a difference.
11.20: Break
11.45
Reforming occupational health in policing
Professor John Harrison - NPWS
What should good occupational health look like across policing – and how do we make that a reality in every force? Professor John Harrison explores the next phase of occupational health reform and the move towards greater consistency, quality and clinical governance across policing.
12.15
Workforce Prioritisation Guidance: Impact, insights and what comes next
Paul Fotheringham - NPWS, Tina Cook - Merseyside Police, Caroline Russell, - Cumbria Constabulary, Vicki Sawyer - Warwickshire Police
This session will reflect on progress against the WPG across policing, key learning and early outcomes. A panel of force representatives will share practical experiences, challenges and successes, exploring how forces can move from strategic intent to meaningful delivery for their workforce.
12.45
Audience discussion and Q&A
An opportunity to reflect on the morning’s sessions, share insight and put questions to speakers.
13.00: Lunch
14.00: Psychological health checks: supporting earlier intervention in policing
Zoe Davenport - NPWS, Kathryn Evans - Dyfed Powys Police
How can policing identify signs of psychological strain earlier and help people access support before problems escalate? This session will explore the national development and rollout of psychological health checks, share early learning from the PHIT programme and practical experience from Dyfed-Powys Police, and consider the wider development of psychological health support, including the new HEART guidance.
14.30: The future of recovery: evidence, innovation and what works
Andy Rhodes OBE QPM - NPWS, Professor Carol Cox-Forshaw - LJMU
Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye - Merseyside Police, Hannah Bailey - Blue Light Wellbeing
How can we use evidence, technology and lived experience to help people recover well from the demands of policing? This panel will explore the evolving approach to recovery, including the latest developments from ResetU, research from Liverpool John Moores University and practical recovery support.
15.00 Working together to support recovery
Andy Rhodes OBE QPM - NPWS, Emma Woods Bolger - Blue Light Card Foundation
Supporting the wellbeing of people in policing takes partnership. Emma Woods Bolger will share how Blue Light Card Foundation is working with the National Police Wellbeing Service to help make recovery opportunities more accessible, before introducing the Reset Yourself sessions.
Andy Rhodes will close the sessions for the day and invite people to take part in the 'Reset yourself' wellbeing experiences.
15:10 Reset yourself
Breath Connection, Mind Over Mountains, Blue Light Wellbeing
An opportunity to step away from the conference room and experience practical approaches to recovery and wellbeing. Delegates will choose two sessions from Breath Connection, Mind Over Mountains and Blue Light Wellbeing.
More details about the sessions here
16.30: Close
17.30: Pre dinner drinks
18.00 Oscar Kilo Awards and Dinner
Hosted by Gamal Fahnbulleh
Join us for an evening celebrating the people, teams and initiatives making a difference to health and wellbeing across policing. Hosted by Gamal Fahnbulleh, the evening will include a sit-down dinner and the presentation of the 2026 Oscar Kilo Awards, with an opportunity to hear more about the work, achievements and impact of this year’s award winners. Dress code: Smart.
20:30: Bar, networking and exhibitors
Day Two – Wednesday 14 October
09.30: Welcome to day two
Andy Rhodes OBE QPM - NPWS
09.45
Josh’s story – What one call to the Mental Health Crisis Line tells us about risk, relationships and the responsibility we all share
Professor John Harrison - NPWS, Claire Long - NPWS
Through the fictional story of Josh, this session will follow one person’s journey from his first contact with the Mental Health Crisis Line and use his experience to explore wider challenges surrounding suicide prevention in policing. Professor John Harrison and Claire Long will examine recognising and responding to risk, relationships, shared responsibility, national standards of care, data and suicide awareness. Audience insight and a Q&A will provide an opportunity to reflect on the issues raised.
10.15
Behind the numbers: what the workforce is telling us
Leapwise Advisory
Facilitated by Andy Rhodes OBE QPM
The National Workforce and Wellbeing Survey gives us a powerful picture of what it feels like to work in policing – but the real value comes from what we do with what we hear. This facilitated panel will explore key insights and look beyond the numbers to understand the experiences behind them, and how forces can turn workforce insight into action that makes a meaningful difference.
10.45
Audience discussion and Q&A
Time for further reflection, discussion and questions arising from the morning sessions.
11.00: Break
11.30
When support gets it right: one officer’s story
PC Jordan Coates, Sgt Helena Clarke, Superintendent Pete Spratt - South Yorkshire Police
Facilitated by Dave Brewster and Lee Taylor - NPWS
What does good wellbeing support actually feel like to the person receiving it? Through the real-life experience of a police officer who has faced multiple assaults in the line of duty, this conversation brings together the officer and those who supported him to explore what made a difference – and the human impact when support gets it right.
12.15
Reaching our people: making engagement work
Jenna Flanagan - NPWS, Amelie Wolf - Jack and Grace
How do we reach officers and staff with the right information and support – not only when they need it, but early enough to help prevent problems developing? This interactive session will explore how national wellbeing support can connect more effectively with people across policing, introduce early thinking around a wellbeing ambassador network, and draw on delegates’ experience to help shape future engagement.
12.40
Formal close and thank you
Andy Rhodes OBE QPM - NPWS
Closing reflections and thanks.
13.00 Lunch
Delegates are welcome to stay and network.
14.00 Network sessions
Pre-planned network sessions for invited delegates from our Occupational Health and our Counsellors and Psychologists member groups. These will be focused on discussion, ideas and practical solutions. These will run till 3pm.