What we've been up to
Oscar Kilo conference
This year’s Oscar Kilo Conference and Awards brought together policing colleagues from across the UK for three inspiring days at Crewe Hall, all under the theme 'Connecting the dots – people, wellbeing, and data in policing.'
From the moment delegates arrived, the atmosphere was buzzing with energy and purpose. The conference opened with a warm welcome from Dr Sian Williams and our Service Director Andy Rhodes, setting the tone for what would be a truly collaborative event. Andy reminded us that wellbeing is no longer a side conversation – it’s a strategic priority – and encouraged everyone to share ideas, challenge thinking, and take something back to their force that can make a real difference.
Day one: Reward, recognition and inspiration
Day one focused on connection and inspiration. We heard from broadcaster and former racing driver Tom Gaymor, whose powerful story of resilience struck a chord with many. A lively panel discussion followed, where previous Oscar Kilo Award winners shared how their initiatives have moved from concept to impact. We also broadened our horizons with a fascinating session on global perspectives from Dubai Police’s Quality of Life Centre. The day closed with Andy Rhodes reflecting on the importance of collaboration before delegates gathered for the highlight of the evening – the Oscar Kilo awards (see below)
Day two: What the NPWS is doing for you
Day two shifted the focus to national action. Sessions explored everything from the National Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Workforce Prioritisation Guidance to the latest insights from the National Police Wellbeing Survey. We saw how data is being used to drive smarter decisions and improve outcomes, and learned about practical tools like ResetU, a new digital wellbeing resource designed by policing, for policing. Other highlights included discussions on financial wellbeing, trauma support, and equity in wellbeing provision. The day ended with a moving presentation on the psychological impact of responding to the Grenfell Tower fire – a stark reminder of why this work matters.
At the end of day two, delegates had the opportunity to join holistic wellbeing sessions, from yoga and breathwork to the brave souls who took on the ice bath challenge.
Day three: Networks
Day three was all about networks and practical collaboration, with specialist breakout sessions for occupational health, counsellors and psychologists and a combined session for peer support, OK9 wellbeing dogs and Operation Hampshire. These smaller groups provided space to share best practice, tackle challenges, and strengthen connections that will last well beyond the conference.
A huge thank you to everyone who made this conference possible – our speakers, exhibitors, award entrants, and of course, every delegate who joined us. Your energy, openness, and commitment to wellbeing are what make this community so special.
2025 Oscar Kilo awards
The awards ceremony was a true celebration of creativity, compassion, and commitment. Here’s a snapshot of the winners:
- Families and leavers: Bedfordshire Police for 'Our Extended Police Family', a pioneering initiative supporting officers’ loved ones from day one.
- Occupational health: Cumbria Constabulary for setting the gold standard in proactive, holistic care.
- Operation Hampshire: Avon and Somerset Police for their trauma-informed approach to preventing repeat victimisation.
- Peer support: Bedfordshire Police for building a resilient, connected peer support network.
- OK9 wellbeing dogs: Devon and Cornwall Police for their heartwarming project 'Darcy Visits the Allotment', blending storytelling and wellbeing.
- Trauma and suicide prevention: West Yorkshire Police for Trauma Tracker, a data-driven tool transforming early intervention.
- Healthy living: Police Service of Northern Ireland for their holistic Watch Your Wellbeing programme.
- Staff engagement: Warwickshire Police for Building Our Future Together, redefining organisational values through genuine collaboration.
- International award: Dubai Police for their groundbreaking Quality of Life Centre, setting a global benchmark for wellbeing.
Congratulations to all winners, runners-up, and highly commended entries – your work is shaping a healthier, more resilient policing culture.
You can find out who are our winners, runners up and highly commended in each category and read about their winning projects on our awards page
Transition to workforce prioritisation guidance (WPG) from blue light wellbeing framework (BLWF)
The blue light wellbeing framework (BLWF), in place since 2017, will be formally retired in January 2026. It will be replaced by the workforce prioritisation guidance (WPG) and its streamlined self-assessment tool, designed to help forces focus on what matters most for workforce wellbeing.
Why the change?
Policing and wellbeing support have evolved significantly. The NPWS has introduced national standards for Occupational Health, launched the first national health and wellbeing strategy, improved data insights, and developed the WPG after extensive engagement with forces and stakeholders.
What’s new with WPG?
- Simpler process: A single-point-of-contact model and succinct online self-assessment via the Oscar Kilo website.
- Clear priorities: Six focus areas: Trauma, suicide prevention, OH practice and standards, fatigue risk management, police assaults and peer support.
- Better alignment: Supports the Police Covenant, HMICFRS expectations, and health and safety duties.
- Smarter insights: Aggregated data informs national policy and targeted support.
Next steps:
- The BLWF remains accessible until January 2026 for data downloads.
- Forces should identify or confirm their WPG single point of contact (SPOC).
- Initial WPG assessments establish a baseline and can be updated anytime.
Unsure if your force has a SPOC?
If your organisation hasn’t designated a SPOC for the WPG but you believe one should be assigned, please get in touch. Email us your name, role, and contact details, and we’ll follow up to discuss your needs.
Go to workforce prioritisation guidance
Investigator week of action
We are delighted to once again have supported the NPCC Recruitment Retention and Wellbeing of Investigators Portfolio with their wellbeing of investigators week of action which took place week commencing on the 10th November 2025.
Developed and facilitated by the NPCC Recruitment Retention and Wellbeing of Investigators Portfolio, the week of action involves a variety of daily webinars to share best practice and encourage national debate. Much of this work is included or aligned to the Investigator Wellbeing Toolkit, which is republished with updated guidance and interventions.
During the week they held over 20 webinars exploring a host of issues that impact Investigator Wellbeing. We hope to share a summary and evaluation in December's bulletin.
If you missed the sessions or world like to rewatch they can by accessed them using the link below. Please note as these sessions are only for individuals working in UK policing, you will need to log into your Oscar Kilo account to access this page. If you don't have an account to can create one here
Reminder of new courses for 2025
Supervisor support course
As a supervisor or line manager you will know that your team’s performance can be affected by stress or sickness absence, and that these can be caused by a variety of factors. This course is designed to help you spot the signs of ill health in your team and know how to make sure they get the help they need. Your own health is important too, so we will be looking at how to care for yourself when supporting someone else.
Go to supervisor support course
Peer debriefing model course
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.
Go to peer debriefing model course
What's coming soon
Something game-changing is coming to the workforce prioritisation guidance.
We’re developing 'Oscar' - an AI-powered assistant that will sit right on top of the WPG content and make navigating it effortless. Oscar will answer your questions in real time, help you understand what the guidance means for your role, and even guide those responsible for completing the self-assessment through the process step by step. No more searching through pages - just ask, and Oscar will give you clear, practical answers and point you to the right resources.
New working group for trauma tracker leads
If your force is using a trauma tracker or similar product to record trauma exposure in staff, or you are a force who is looking to implement this type of product, we will be running working groups from January 2026. If you would like to be part of this, please contact us
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