What we've been up to
Long Covid guidance
A new guidance document from the National Police Wellbeing Service has been made available to assist forces in addressing the individual and organisational challenges of long COVID.
The guidance is intended to help police forces support officers and staff affected by long COVID by bringing together the latest research, workplace strategies, and practical recommendations to assist those managing the impact of post-COVID syndrome.
Understanding Long COVID in Policing. Long COVID affects approximately 2 million people in the UK, including police personnel. It presents a range of debilitating symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive impairment, breathlessness, and joint pain, which can significantly impact work performance and daily life. While most individuals recover over time, some require long-term workplace support.
This new guidance provides a framework for forces to create a consistent, evidence-based approach to managing long COVID. It acknowledges that every case is unique and that individualised support is essential.
Key recommendations. The guidance outlines several key areas for consideration:
- Workplace adjustments: Forces should consider reasonable adjustments, including flexible working arrangements, reduced hours, and modified duties, to accommodate affected staff.
- Managerial and Occupational Health support: A proactive approach from line managers and occupational health teams is crucial. Regular reviews and clear support plans should be implemented.
- Trust and transparency: Forces are encouraged to recognise long COVID as a disabling condition without requiring medical proof of a positive test. Trust in employees' experiences is essential for effective support.
- Health and wellbeing resources: The document highlights the importance of signposting officers and staff to available wellbeing support, including access to rehabilitation programs.
- Data and policy development: Forces should collect and share data on long COVID cases to inform national policy and best practices.
Addressing stigma and isolation - One of the key themes from the guidance is the need to reduce stigma. Some police personnel have reported feeling disbelieved or unsupported in their recovery journey. Creating an open culture where long COVID sufferers feel safe to seek help is critical. Sharing personal experiences and best practices across forces will help build awareness and improve outcomes.
Practical application for forces - The guidance is not a set of rigid rules but a resource that forces can adapt to their specific needs. It encourages early occupational health intervention, collaborative case management, and clear communication between HR, managers, and affected individuals.
Moving forward - As new research emerges, the approach to long COVID in policing will continue to evolve. The National Police Wellbeing Service remains committed to working with forces to refine support mechanisms and ensure all officers and staff receive the assistance they need.
The full guidance document is now available to download using the button below
Celebrating police staff
As part of the Police Staff Week of Celebration and Recognition, we were proud to attend the national Senior Police Staff Network conference and awards.
The awards, jointly hosted by the NPCC and College of Policing, were created to recognise the significant impact that police staff have and celebrate how that work is helping to deliver policing priorities.
You can read more about the conference and award winners here - Home Secretary honours police staff heroes
Leavers gateway
The development of this gateway follows on from the leavers survey and launch of our initial Leavers Hub in March last year.
We have funded the next phase of this work so we can continue to build on the support we provide to those who are leaving or who have left policing – as a key pillar of the Police Covenant.
The Police Leavers Gateway offers both emotional and practical support to those leaving policing. The digital platform provides resources, tools, and AI-powered functionality to help people navigate their transition with confidence and purpose.
Currently in pilot phase - until the 31 March 2025 - we have been inviting officers and staff to visit the gateway and its digital resources and tell us what they think, so there's still time to have your voice heard.
Whilst the resources are specifically aimed at those approaching retirement or within the last 18 months of service through retirement or voluntary leaving, it is open to anyone working in policing.
Peer debriefing model course
In January we launched our new peer debriefing model online training course, which is a replacement for our old demobilising and defusing course.
Day-to-day policing can often involve exposure to challenging scenes and incidents. While many of these experiences can be processed naturally, some incidents may affect us more deeply, impacting our emotional and physical wellbeing.
This course is designed to equip you with the tools to help yourself and others process these emotions effectively. By learning a structured, non-clinical debriefing approach, participants will gain the skills to support their teams and colleagues in managing their responses to difficult incidents and returning to the job they enjoy.
This course is available to anyone with an Oscar Kilo account.
Peer support update
We would like to welcome Derbyshire as our newest force to take up Peer Support.
In February this year Derbyshire's Health and Wellbeing Manager Kate Smith invited us to Derbyshire to deliver a Peer Support training course to a select few of their key stakeholders. Both Dr Tony Parnell and PC Lee Taylor would like to thank all who attended the training for their hospitality. ( Insert Pic Derbyshire)
Peer Support training dates have been extended. Due to how quick training courses are filling up, and the popularity of the training we have added more course dates on for both Initial Peer Support training and also Peer Support refresher training. Please look at the Oscar Kilo website under Peer support for all dates.
Starting in April 2026 we will have a dedicated quarterly Peer Support Newsletter which will be sent to all Peer Coordinators Nationally. It will include a current list of training dates, what's new in Peer Support, some hints and tips to keep your scheme and supporters engaged, best practice. If you would like a mention or have any good work that you would like included please get in touch with Lee.
Congratulations to OK9 dog Baloo
A huge congratulations goes to Baloo, the incredible OK9 dog from Essex Police, who has won The Kennel Club Hero Dog at Crufts, after almost 120,000 votes were cast by the public. An amazing achievement!
After a tragic incident that led to Baloo losing her front leg, the brave ex-police dog and her owner Mandy Chapman worked with us to become one of the first OK9 wellbeing and trauma support dogs.
Together with more than 250 other dog handlers, they’re making a big difference by providing wellbeing support to officers and staff all across the country.
A massive thank you to Baloo, Mandy and everyone involved!
What's coming soon
Health and wellbeing strategy
The National Police Health and Wellbeing Strategy is the first of its kind for policing in England and Wales. Authored by the National Chief Medical Officer for Policing and the Service Director of the National Police Wellbeing Service, this pioneering strategy represents a fundamental commitment to the health and wellbeing of all individuals within the policing community. Our goal is clear: to enable everyone within the police force to realise their full potential, maximise their talent and productivity, and thereby optimise operational effectiveness.
Vision and commitment
This strategy aligns with the policing vision for 2030 and is firmly rooted in our desire and necessity for police officers, staff, the Special Constabulary, and volunteers to be the best possible version of themselves. By thriving in their roles, they play a fundamental part in effectively policing our communities. Health and wellbeing are critical responsibilities shared by everyone in policing, demanding a culture that fosters open, strong leadership and visible role-modelling at all levels.
Strategic framework
Grounded in decades of research and developed through extensive consultation with forces, the strategy introduces a holistic approach to organisational wellbeing. It reformulates the Blue Light Wellbeing Framework into an action-oriented model with five key delivery areas:
- Join Well
- Train Well
- Work Well
- Live Well
- Leave Well
These areas guide the life cycle of a policing career, ensuring that wellbeing is continuously addressed from recruitment through to retirement.
The strategy and a full briefing pack will be made available to forces at the end of March, with a full briefing to Chief Officers and major stakeholders taking place next week.
New recruits assessments guidance
April 2025 will see the launch of the guidance for occupational health on the clinical assessment of police officer applicants. This is a revision and update of the 2004 guidance and will provide not only a rational approach to risk assessment and recruitment decision making, but also underpin efficient and effective occupational health performance.
The stepped approach to clinical assessment means that we can align clinical assessment to competency and expertise. The introduction of recruitment panels (fit to proceed panels in some forces) means that complex cases receive the multidisciplinary assessments that they deserve and that it is clear that the final appointment decision rests with the force, not occupational health. It also ensures that reasonable workplace adjustments are carefully considered and, when agreed, implemented.
This guidance will be sent direct to occupational health team in the next few weeks.
National survey launch
We will be launching our new-look National Police Wellbeing Survey in May 2025.
The new survey will follow evidence-based design principles ensuring wellbeing sits at the heart of the question set whilst including a renewed focus on the organisational drivers impacting upon motivation, stress, performance and productivity. The strength of evidence linking these avoidable ‘stressors’ is now well established and the survey will help the police service to better understand any issues and most importantly share best practice and innovation about how to improve.
Full detail, a briefing pack and supporting materials will be sent to forces next month.
Oscar Kilo conference and awards: 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 Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 November 2025, 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.
Invitations with full details on how to secure your place will be sent out in April.
Oscar Kilo awards 2025
We will be opening up the window for submitting your entries for an Oscar Kilo award next month.
The 2025 Awards will look slightly different from previous years, with new categories and a refreshed application criteria. Full details will be published on our website and social media in April.
New supervisor support model course is on it's way
We are delighted to announce we will be launching a new course for supervisors and managers that will help you to support your staff. This online course will cover common mental health conditions, trauma, supporting your staff and self-care, and will be available on our website to anyone with an Oscar Kilo account.