Recommendation 16
Recommendation 16:
By 1 June 2023, chief fire officers should assure themselves that updates on how concerns are being handled are shared with those who have raised them. The updates should be given in an accessible way that encourages trust and confidence in the service response. Consideration should be given to creating a professional standards function to handle conduct concerns in service (or from an external service) to have oversight of cases, to make sure they are conducted in a fair and transparent way and to act as a point of contact for all staff involved.
ECFRS action:
April 2023:
In December 2022, an independent review of all grievance cases and allegations made in the last 12 months was commissioned. The aim of this was to ensure that concerns have been managed appropriately, and, if this is not the case that lessons can be learned. The cases that were reviewed included those which referenced bullying, harassment, criminal allegations, racism, misogyny, prejudicial and improper behaviour and misconduct.
Whilst there were recommendations which have been adopted, the review concluded that concerns had been managed appropriately and outcomes of the cases were considered to be broadly reasonable.
This review was received and considered by the CFO in April 2023.
Separate to this, counselling support is available to all staff and is well utilised. In 22/23, 117 Colleagues used our counselling services.
Coaching is also available to all staff and is well utilised; 244 people have utilised this in the last 12 months.
In relation to a professional standards function, consideration is being given to this.
January 2024
As advised. Additionally, independent professional standards review complete. Recommendations being actioned.