Read our latest bulletin: August 2025

Published 1 Sep 2025

Written by

Oscar Kilo

National Police Wellbeing Service

Reading time

10 mins

Welcome to the Oscar Kilo, National Police Wellbeing Service latest bulletin, read on to find out what we have been up to over the last month and what to expect from us in the coming weeks.

Over the last few months we have been really busy with some important launches which we hope will make a difference to your wellbeing. In this issue you'll find reminders of this work.

During August we have been catching our breath, working hard behind the scenes, planning and preparing for the rest of the year. Read on to see what's coming.

What we've been up to

National police wellbeing survey results published

Earlier this month we published the results of the 2025 National Police Wellbeing Survey – the largest employee voice exercise for UK policing, with over 40,000 participants from 33 forces.

The survey provides an unprecedented insight into the lived experience of police officers and staff across the UK, shining a light on the pressures people face, but also the strong foundations that exist.

Our Service Director Andy Rhodes talks about the findings:

Video transcript

Hi, my name is Andy Rhodes
I'm the service director of the National Police Wellbeing Service Oscar Kilo, we're responsible for issuing, collecting and analysing the National Wellbeing Survey, which many of you have just completed.
Over 40,000 responses from officers and staff across policing makes this the biggest survey of its kind in England and Wales
I want to thank you for taking the time out of your busy days to do that and I want to talk to you about some of the findings but more importantly what's going to happen the result of you giving us your information and your lived experience about what's going on for you in policing. You've told us and this is a wake up call for us yet again the levels of exhaustion, burnout, fatigue, workload resources are having a detrimental effect not only on your health but on your families your loved ones and even members of the public in terms of victims of crime and the general public in terms of the quality service that you give it to them.
You've also told us some positives line manager support is very good you say that you have high purpose in your work and you feel confident you've got the skills and ability to do the job but there is a lot in that survey that needs attention urgently.

So what's going to happen with it I understand people sceptical about staff surveys they sort of say what's the point filling them in nothing seems to change there are three things that are going to happen as a result of this survey moving forward now. Firstly forces who took part and 33 out of 43 forces took part in our survey will be getting their local reports and they will be committing to taking action locally about the things that are in front of them that they think and believe that they can do something about in response to the feedback they've got force by force

Secondly in Oscar Kilo we're going to be looking at the wellbeing information that you've provided us and that's gonna be used to bolster and support existing programs that we've got around things like trauma support, fatigue, sleep, recovery and also some of the work we're doing to highlight the real problems that we've got with these organisational stressors that have as much impact if not more than the actual job itself.

We're also going to be commissioning a deeper report into the findings so we can get underneath more and more of some of that information that you've given us to fully understand what is going on and what we can do about it.

Finally want to reassure you that this survey is landing with the people who make the big decisions around policing, I've not seen that before to the extent I'm seeing it at the moment.

The most senior people in policing and government are getting briefed on this survey, they're getting the report in full and that will be fed into important piece of work that will influence how policing gets done in this country; police reform, the workforce plan and also the police covenant.

So finally I want to thank you for taking the time to fill in the survey it is going to be something that makes a big difference in terms of the decisions that are made around policing for you in your workplace and also nationally - thank you

Access the 2025 survey findings

Mental Health Crisis Line

An independent and confidential Mental Health Crisis Line has been launched to provide immediate support for anyone working in policing experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts. Available 24/7/365, the Crisis Line can be accessed by calling 0300 131 2789.

The line is designed to support people in any role in policing and is not for members of the public. It is staffed with independent, expert counsellors trained in suicide prevention who understand policing.

If you’re in crisis, and need help now, call 0300 131 2789.

Find out more

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Other new resources for 2025

Courses:

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

Guidance and reading:

National police health and wellbeing strategy

The National Police Health and Wellbeing Strategy for policing across England and Wales is a practical, evidence-based strategy which provides clear guidance to help police forces build strong wellbeing support for everyone who works in policing.

Go to national police health and wellbeing strategy

Updated major incident guidance

We have published an update to our major incident guidance. The update does not replace the existing guidance, it seeks to add to it, to provide a more practical and accessible prioritisation list for leaders operating at gold, silver and bronze levels. On our 'police wellbeing and major incidents guidance' page you will find the original guidance, the findings and recommendations from Op Navette, and the new additional guidance which provides a more practical and accessible prioritisation list for leaders operating at gold, silver and bronze levels.

Go to major incident guidance

Fatigue risk management guidance

Sleepiness and fatigue can be risks for those who work in policing, including both officers and staff. This guidance and toolkit aims to help manage fatigue and sleepiness in the policing environment, and mitigate workplace risks associated with fatigue, wherever possible.

Go to fatigue risk management guidance

Supporting police leavers: Guidance for forces

This new guidance for forces has been put together with the aim of ensuring that those leaving the police service are given the knowledge, support and recognition that they rightly deserve. We hope that this guide will help forces in developing how they communicate with and support those leaving the police service.

Go to supporting police leavers guidance

A prospectus for change

This document produced by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and Oscar Kilo the National Police Wellbeing Service is aimed primarily at decision makers and change agents, it scopes out how Police Occupational Health needs to change to keep in line with proposed police reforms, to support the policing vision 2030 and to help deliver the UK government’s ‘safer streets’ mission.

Download a prospectus for change

National police wellbeing awards are now closed

Thanks to all of you who have entered the 2025 Oscar Kilo Awards. We are delighted to have received almost 90 submissions across our eight categories. The judging will take place in September and we will be announcing our shortlist for each category at the beginning of October. The winners will be announced at at special gala dinner at our Annual Conference on Monday 17 November 2025.

What's coming soon

Oscar Kilo conference and awards 2025

We are well on the way to finalising our plans for the 2025 Oscar Kilo conference and awards on 17-19 November which is taking place at Crewe Hall Hotel and Spa, Crewe, Cheshire.

Confirmation of attendance emails will be sent in September, to everyone who has registered. If you have not registered and would like to attend please get in touch.

Workforce prioritisation guidance

We are due to publish our updated workforce prioritisation guidance and self-assessment toolkit. We will be sharing this with forces in the Autumn.

Events

Over the coming months we will be at the following event, if you are attending, please come and say hello.

Emergency Services Show - 17-18 September, NEC Birmingham - You can now register for tickets