What we've been up to
Leading with care conference: Summary
Policing is still feeling the strain - concerns about heavy workloads, wellbeing and mixed confidence in leadership continue to surface, as highlighted in the most recent 2025 National Police Wellbeing Survey. Forces are working hard to improve things, but most leaders agree: change needs to happen faster.
That’s exactly why more than 40 policing organisations headed to Manchester on 24 February for our 'Leading with care' conference, hosted by Leapwise. It was a day packed with honest conversations, practical ideas, and plenty of optimism about what policing can achieve when leadership, culture and wellbeing come first.
Leading with care: Key takeaways
- Reform is a big opportunity
Speakers agreed that upcoming reforms present an opportunity to improve policing - if leaders cut unnecessary bureaucracy, support fresh thinking and drive a more open, learning culture. - Wellbeing must be everyone’s job
Burnout is real. Forces shared how making wellbeing a shared responsibility - from senior leaders to teams on the ground - helps protect rest, reduce pressure and keep people supported. - Psychological safety matters
A culture where people feel safe to speak up leads to better decisions and fewer risks. Leaders were encouraged to listen well, have difficult conversations and role‑model high standards. - Early action prevents conduct issues
Merseyside Police showed how early support and clear processes can stop problems escalating and rebuild trust in professional standards. Others shared how their forces have worked to build inclusive cultures and trust in conduct processes, including through peer support.
To round up, delegates discussed the changes leaders can make personally, as well as the bigger improvements we can all influence together across wellbeing, leadership and culture. Together they explored how real progress comes from a mix of small, everyday actions and the bigger system shifts that each force will need in its own way. The stories shared throughout the day showed that change really can happen – and there was a genuine sense of optimism in the room. This work will be carried forward, so if you’re keen to get involved, please get in touch.
Oscar Kilo awards are now open
We are now accepting entries for the 2026 Oscar Kilo Awards.
Our refreshed categories reflect the real work happening across policing to support wellbeing – giving you more ways to showcase the impact your force is making.
As part of our commitment to improving consistency and measuring progress across the service, all award entries must demonstrate how the work aligns with the Workforce Prioritisation Guidance (WPG).
Entries will be cross‑referenced with your force’s WPG submission, helping us ensure that the work being recognised is connected to agreed priorities and forms part of your overall approach to wellbeing.
If you plan to enter an award, please ensure your force WPG lead is aware of the submission. If you don't know who this is, please contact us and we can put you in touch.
The categories
- Peer Support
Recognising programmes that empower colleagues to support one another through lived experience, guidance, and compassionate connection. - OK9 Wellbeing Dogs
Celebrating the forces using wellbeing dogs to create psychologically safe spaces and reduce stress across policing environments. - Operation Hampshire
For forces demonstrating outstanding care for officers and staff who are victims of assault, ensuring they feel supported, valued, and heard. - Healthy Living
Covering initiatives focused on sleep and fatigue management, physical fitness, nutrition, and wider healthy lifestyle interventions. - Occupational Health
Highlighting innovative or high‑quality Occupational Health services that proactively protect and promote the wellbeing of the workforce. - Trauma Support
Recognising evidence‑based approaches that support trauma‑exposed staff across policing. - Suicide Prevention
Recognising evidence‑based approaches that reduce the risk of suicide across policing. - Support for Police Families or Police Leavers
Celebrating work that extends care beyond the job – supporting families, partners, and those transitioning out of policing. - Staff Engagement
Showcasing creative and effective approaches that strengthen engagement, improve culture, and help people feel connected, informed, and valued.
Find out how to enter the awards and read the full criteria for each of the categories on our awards page, using the link below.
You can also read about previous winning entries by clicking here
Suicide roundtable
Senior members of the National Police Wellbeing Service team were invited to attend a ministerial round table this month. They were very encouraged by the ministers keen personal interest in suicide prevention and the fact that this is reflected in the commitments in the white paper which we have worked hard to influence.
We're working hard to improve data collection so that we can develop a much stronger learning culture, and this is being led by the Chief Medical Officer for policing. What is clear, is that mandatory line manager training and a consistent support package for those under investigation are urgently needed to complement the national suicide action plan and mental health crisis line we have already delivered for policing.
We will ensure we continue to be part of national conversations about this critical issue.
Peer support for Operation Hampshire
We have introduced a new course 'Peer support for Operation Hampshire', which enhances peer support provision and strengthens frontline delivery of Operation Hampshire.
Training aims and benefits
This course is designed to:
- Build a local network of Op Hampshire‑focused peer support champions
- Provide targeted peer support following assaults
- Improve the quality and consistency of initial Op Hampshire responses
- Identify workforce wellbeing issues to inform local improvement
Find out more about this training and how to get involved using the button below.
Peer support for Operation Hampshire
Peer support update
2026 has kicked off with a real buzz for peer support! We’ve already delivered 14 peer support courses this year, which means 183 brand‑new peer supporters are now out there making a difference. And we’re only just getting started - we’ve got another 22 courses lined up between now and June.
Our Op Hampshire peer support training is also really picking up pace, with more forces getting involved all the time. If you’re curious about what the training includes or how it could benefit your force, check out our dedicated page (see article above.)
Quarterly network meeting – Catch up
On 30 January we hosted our quarterly network meeting, featuring a brilliant input from Inspector Ben Dimmock, who shared how Bedfordshire have embedded and are using peer support. If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry - we recorded it and it's available on the Peer support members page
Data update: We're doing really well - be we need more!
We’re just shy of 2,500 returns, which is fantastic - but (and you knew this was coming) we want to push that even further.
The more data we get, the better we can understand what our people are dealing with, what they’re talking to peer supporters about, and where those in need are being signposted. It genuinely helps shape how we support the workforce.
Coordinators: please give your peer supporters a nudge to keep recording their activity and get in touch with us if you want to know a bit more about your local data returns.
New for 2026
Monthly peer support supervision
We’re setting up a new monthly peer support supervision session, jointly facilitated by Dr Tony Parnell and Lee Taylor. This will be open to all coordinators and champions across forces - more details to come.
A new FLO-to-FLO peer support package
We all know how demanding FLO work can be, so we’re working closely with Devon & Cornwall Police - huge thanks to D/Ins Dave Egan and D/Sgt Darren Campbell - to create a formal FLO peer support network and training offer.
This will give FLOs across forces a structured place to connect, debrief, and support each other.
Mental Health Crisis Line
If you or one of your team is struggling, help is available - and it’s just a phone call away.
📞 Mental Health Crisis Line: 0300 131 2789
What's coming soon
Emergency responders mental health symposium
Now in its fourth year, the Emergency Responders Mental Health and Wellbeing Symposium is a unique annual event, with hosting responsibilities rotating across the emergency services sector. In 2026, the spotlight turns to the volunteer community - an essential but often under‑represented group at national events. This year provides an important opportunity for volunteer responders to shape the national conversation on mental health and wellbeing and ensure their voices are heard.
The symposium is a collaborative event supported by the National Fire Chiefs Council, National Police Chiefs Council, College of Paramedics, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, Mountain Rescue, National Police Wellbeing Service, National Emergencies Trust, The Royal Foundation, and wider blue light partners.
Event details
This year the full day event takes place in London on 30 March. If you have a key role in volunteering in policing and are interested in attending please contact us
Oscar Kilo conference and awards 2026: Save the date
We are delighted to confirm the dates for this year's Oscar Kilo conference and awards.
The event will take place on Tuesday 13 to Wednesday 14 October 2026 at 11.30am - 1.30pm, and will include the announcement of the winners of the Oscar Kilo Awards. As last year, the event will take place at Crewe Hall Hotel and Spa in Crewe, Cheshire.
Feedback from last years' delegates has seen us change the event to two full days, with the awards taking place on day one, and the member group sessions being incorporated into the main agenda.
We will be sending invites out to our member groups, but if you are keen to attend you can register your interest below
Devon and Cornwall Police: Lunch and learn
Line manager training: specialist menopause workshop for line managers with the Kathryn Kolas Academy
Thursday, 5 March, 11.30am - 1pm
This is a specialist Menopause Workshop for line managers, organised and hosted by Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police, Wellbeing Team, and being offered to all forces.
What you will get form this webinar: Gain awareness of key symptoms and workplace challenges affecting performance. Learn practical strategies, effective communication tools, and available resources to support your team, promoting an inclusive, empathetic, and high-performing workplace for all.
Reset U launch
Policing has never been more demanding. Our national police wellbeing survey shows high levels of burnout, fatigue and trauma exposure, with real impacts on readiness, safety and the intention to stay in the job. At the same time, forces face tight budgets, limited capacity and increasing expectations around duty of care. ResetU is one of the ways Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service, is responding.
ResetU is a national, tactical recovery, sleep and fatigue app designed specifically for policing. It has been co-created with officers and staff and independently evaluated through the Police STAR study with Liverpool John Moores University. That research found that people who used the ResetU tools reported better sleep habits, improved ability to manage stress, stronger resilience at work and a greater desire to stay in policing.
We are currently working with 20 early adopter forces to test and refine the app and we'll be getting these forces together in Manchester on 24 March. During this session we'll be demonstrating the onboarding process and user experience; there will be the opportunity to meet individuals instrumental to the content and we'll be sharing the long term development of the app.
We are looking at the app being available in all forces in 2027.
Cumbria Constabulary: Menopause cafe
Cumbria Constabulary will be holding a menopause cafe on Wednesday 18th of March and they have kindly opened up the online event to anyone working in policing.
The event, being held on Microsoft Teams, will be hosted by Dr Cath Munro, Cumbria’s only GP menopause specialist. During the session she will be discussing:
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) including how to recognise the symptoms, help available and what that happens during peri and menopause if you have the condition.
- Conditions of endometriosis/adenomyosis and similar. What they are, how they affect us, coping mechanisms and medical support.
- How to confidently query/challenge GPs who refuse to give HRT.
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