The workforce prioritisation guidance (WPG) is the latest evolution in national wellbeing support for policing. It provides a clear, practical framework to help forces focus on the areas of health and wellbeing that matter most - reducing risk, improving outcomes, and supporting operational effectiveness.
What is the workforce prioritisation guidance?
Background
In 2013, the national wellbeing and engagement working group was established to address the wellbeing needs of over 200,000 police officers and staff. Years of research and employee voice surveys have provided critical insights into the physical and mental health challenges faced by our workforce.
The National Police Wellbeing Service was launched in 2019 to offer targeted support, and the workforce prioritisation guidance (WPG) is our latest step in this ongoing commitment.
Originally introduced in late 2024, the WPG builds on over a decade of research, feedback, and learning from across the service. Following extensive engagement with forces, staff associations, the APCC, HMICFRS, NPCC, and frontline networks, this refined version brings the offer up to date - reflecting how policing, wellbeing expectations, and the NPWS support model have evolved.
Why this guidance, and why now?
Over the last three years, we’ve seen significant national progress in policing’s approach to wellbeing:
- The development of enhanced and advanced Occupational Health standards, target operating models and the prospectus for change
- The publication of the national health and wellbeing strategy, the first of its kind for policing
- A redesigned national wellbeing survey and insights report
- The creation of a new data and insight workstream, helping shape smarter, evidence-led decisions
With this progress comes a shift in how we support forces - and what we ask of them. The WPG offers a modern, simplified way to prioritise and embed wellbeing strategically and operationally.
What the WPG offers
The WPG outlines six key priority areas where evidence shows focused effort will have the greatest impact. For each area, it provides:
- A shared national definition of “what good looks like”
- Essential and enhanced standards of practice
- Tools, templates, and training from the NPWS
- Direct links to national resources, specialist support, and peer networks
Alongside the guidance, forces now have access to a simple, strategic self-assessment tool. This allows organisations to reflect on current strengths, identify development areas, and track improvement over time.
Who is the WPG for?
The workforce prioritisation guidance is designed for organisational leaders, strategic wellbeing leads, governance boards, and anyone responsible for designing, delivering, or overseeing workforce wellbeing in policing.
It is particularly relevant for those in roles linked to health and safety, people strategy, HR, occupational health, operational leadership, and data insight.
Anyone with an Oscar Kilo account can login in and access the full WPG using the button at the bottom of this page.
Access to the WPG self-assessment tool is restricted to a nominated Single Point of Contact (SPOC) within each force to maintain clarity and reduce duplication.
Moving forward
The updated version of the WPG and self-assessment tool will be formally launched on 18 November 2025 at the NPWS Annual Conference.
The WPG will gradually replace the Blue Light Wellbeing Framework as the national benchmarking tool. The shift to WPG reduces the administrative burden on forces, provides a faster route to insight, and ensures wellbeing work is aligned to the latest expectations and evidence.
If your force hasn’t already identified a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for the WPG, or you’d like to access the self-assessment tool, please get in touch.
Wellbeing remains a shared responsibility. The WPG is here to help forces deliver on it - confidently, clearly, and with the right support.