What we've been up to
Police families wellbeing and support needs research project - findings
Last year, we commissioned the Open University to conduct a research project to investigate the wellbeing and support needs of police families. In response to the commitments expressed in the Police Covenant, the key aims of this research were to:
- Explore with family members the perceived influence of police occupational experiences on the wellbeing of their families, including resilience, coping and sources of support.
- Explore the influence of occupational stressors on family functioning and dynamics among policing families.
- Identify key areas of need in terms of family support.
The wellbeing and support needs of police families in the UK is a largely under researched area and this project represents one of only two pieces of research conducted in the UK (at time of research – 2023).
The research comprised of a large-scale survey that engaged ’non-serving’ family members, this obtained 1406 responses. Four focus groups were conducted, three with ’non-serving’ family members, one with serving officers. Four biographical interviews were also carried out with serving officers. Within this data the study captured the perspectives of partners, parents, grandparents, adult children, and serving officers.
Police Superintendents conference
This year’s Police Superintendents Association (PSA) Conference was held at Chesford Grange Conference Centre in Kenilworth.
The theme for the event was: The future of policing to 2030.
The PSA President Nick Smart who has 30 years of policing experience clearly articulated in his address the challenges that policing is facing such as retention, funding, inexperience. He then discussed the impact it is having on his members, highlighting the importance of wellbeing.
Our Service Director Andy Rhodes in his presentation to conference, 'We asked for workers and they gave us humans', touched on many of the same issues through a wellbeing lens. He described many of the National Police Wellbeing Service workstreams including sleep and fatigue, Op Hampshire, peer support networks, the new suicide crisis line pilot and our families work, linking them all back to the same priorities. Andy described how we can and do make such a difference to so many areas of policing. Doing something once that can then be replicated throughout the service. He stressed the importance of the Police Covenant and the need to really bring it to life.
Members of the team were visited on our stand by the new Policing Minister Rt Hon Diana Johnson who spoke to them about wellbeing and in particular peer support and Op Hampshire.
There were lots of opportunities to network at conference both with the delegates and with other exhibitors, promoting all that we do and making valuable connections.
Van deployment to Bedfordshire major incident
Oscar Kilo ONE was deployed to Luton, Bedfordshire following the murders of three members of the same family. Within several hours of the tragedy being reported, the van was set up near the scene, providing support for staff, officers and even some local residents.
Special shout out to Gloucestershire OK9 dog Keo
Congratulations to OK9 dog Keo who has won a BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s Make a Difference Award in the 'Make a Difference Animal' category.
The awards are in their third year and received a record number of entries and nominations. The awards celebrate ordinary people and, for the first time, animals doing extraordinary things in their communities.
One of those was OK9 dog Keo, a rescue dog whose handler Scott Parker has trained him to volunteer with the Oscar Kilo as a police trauma and wellbeing support dog.
Scott said: "Keo is a little ray of sunshine.
"When people have been through some very tough times and when things are going wrong, he's able to give them a window of calm."
Oscar Kilo at the Emergency Services Show
Once again members of the team have attended the Emergency Services Show at Birmingham NEC. This event is a great opportunity to talk about the work we do and engage with a wider audience from all the emergency services. We discussed many of our projects and visitors had the chance to catch up with some of our OK9 dogs and their handlers.
What's coming soon
Workforce prioritisation guidance
In October we will be introducing our new workforce prioritisation guidance to forces through their chief officer teams. This comprehensive document is the culmination of over a decade of research and engagement. It brings everything together into once place so police forces can provide excellent wellbeing support.
Peer support training
Did you know we offer training to individuals who want to be peer supporters and to peer support coordinators? Our peer support training programme provides a force with everything they need to implement a peer support network.
We are pleased to announce a full range of training dates up to the end of March 2025 - check out if you are eligible, the available dates and how to book using the link below. This is a half day course delivered on MS Teams.
Peer support refresher training
Our peer support refresher course is designed to enhance your knowledge of peer support which will also help you build on your self-care and resilience skills. This course is for individuals who have completed the initial peer support course at least one year ago. This is a half day course delivered on MS Teams.
We are pleased to announce a full range of dates up to the end of March 2025 - check out the available dates and how to book using the link below.
Peer support refresher training dates
Supervisor wellbeing training
We are delighted to announce that we have some further Supervisor Wellbeing courses available to book. This half-day course, delivered on MS Teams, has been developed to help police and staff supervisors and managers support their teams with wellbeing, resilience, trauma support, and referrals.
Check out the available dates and how to book using the link below.
Supervisor wellbeing training dates
'Identity' our new film is on it's way
In our last bulletin we told you about launching the third film in our series of short but powerful films that are based on the real-life experiences of working police officers. We are excited to announce this resource will be launched at our conference on 2 December with a premiere screening for delegates. The resource will then be shared across forces before Christmas.
Introducing, ‘Identity’
Following on from the initial film ‘Purpose’ about new-recruit Alfie, and the second film ‘Meaning’, which followed Jake who was mid-service, this film, called 'Identity' focuses on Roopa, a police officer nearing the end of her career.
She’s heading towards retirement in her role as a Family Liaison Officer and is navigating what this big change will mean for her as she prepares to leave ‘the job’.
It picks up on the emotional journey that Roopa is going through as she navigates what retirement means for her, what she’ll do next, considering her ‘identity’ as an officer and reflecting on the impact she has had on people throughout her career.
Whilst some people look forward to their retirement and are well prepared, we know that not everybody is in the same position. For many people, this can be a very difficult transition.
Having successfully released two films like this already, we know how helpful they can in be in highlighting some of the challenges officers and staff face.
The key thing here is that these films encourage people to think about themselves, their colleagues, and their families, with signposting to places for support or guidance should they need it.
They give us a different way of being able to reach officers and staff who may just need that extra encouragement to seek out further support if they need it.
Along with lots of support already available in forces, we at Oscar Kilo are developing additional resources that officers and staff can access themselves directly through our website such as our leaver’s guides, families hub, and self-help resources.
Families toolkit
Next month we will be launching our 'Families toolkit'. This toolkit has been designed for forces, by forces with the aim of ensuring that police families are heard, valued, informed and know where to seek wellbeing support for their loved ones if they need it.
It is intended to help bolster the support that forces currently have available to strengthen connections with police families and acknowledge the vital role they play, whilst often managing their own busy careers and commitments.
Full details on this toolkit will be sent to forces imminently, meanwhile you can visit our families hub to see what we are doing already.
Wellfest open for registrations
Once again, we are delighted that Devon, Cornwall and Dorset Police Alliance are able open their 'Wellfest' virtual wellbeing festival to all forces across the country. The fifth annual virtual wellbeing festival between Monday 7 October to Friday 18 October.
You can choose from over 30 sessions that cover all areas of wellbeing including guest speakers sharing their own inspiring stories; Charlie Morley, the ‘Sleep Guy’, retired sergeant Andy Wilson who speaks openly about his survival journey into and out of a mental health issue, and so many more. We are honoured to be joined this year by Figen Murray OBE, campaigner, counsellor, life coach, and mother of Martyn Hett, who was tragically killed in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017.
See the full list of sessions and register using the link below
Oscar Kilo conference and awards ceremony
Our 2024 Oscar Kilo Conference and awards ceremony has been planned for 2-4 December at Crewe Hall Hotel and Spa, Crewe, Cheshire.
This year we will be combining the conference with the announcement of our Oscar Kilo awards at a gala dinner which will be held in the evening of the second day on the 3 December 2024.
There are still a few places available - if you have not received an invite and think you should be on the list due to your role in UK policing please get in touch. Email us
Fatigue risk management guidance for policing
We are currently finalising a new fatigue risk management guidance toolkit for policing.
This toolkit has been developed to;
- Assist workers, supervisors, and senior leaders in policing to understand the impact of fatigue.
- Provide guidance on reducing the likelihood of fatigue and minimising the impact of fatigue.
- Ensure health, safety, and welfare, by eliminating or mitigating workplace risks associated with fatigue, wherever possible.
Further details will follow in our October bulletin.
World Mental Health Day 2024
October 10 is World Mental Health Day, we'll be posting advice and sharing resources on social media and on our website to support the day.
Wellbeing of investigators week of action
We are delighted to be supporting the NPCC Recruitment Retention and Wellbeing of Investigators Portfolio for the fourth year running with their wellbeing of investigators week of action which is taking place on 11 - 15 November.
The week of action will involve 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 will be republished with updated guidance and interventions.
Access the investigator toolkit
Blue Light Symphony Orchestra
Lovers of classical music have an opportunity to enjoy a unique concert in stunning surroundings while supporting Britain’s emergency services. The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra will be performing in London on Friday 11 October. Tickets are now on sale for this event and proceeds will benefit The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra’s charitable work. Find out more and how to get your tickets using the link below.
Blue Light Symphony Orchestra event