People Committee

KEY ISSUES RAISED

Wellbeing and Inclusion
Committee focus remains on workforce Physical and Mental Health Wellbeing and Members’ scrutiny of the work being undertaken by Police Scotland was supported by insights and observations from Staff Associations and Trade Union colleagues who provided the Committee with examples of where they have seen improvements.
The data and insights continue to improve which means there is better organisational understanding of the impact of interventions to support our people. The Committee was interested to understand how Police Scotland measure the effectiveness of steps taken to support our workforce and heard that a collaborative approach between P&D and the Employee Assistance provider is at the heart of this evaluation.
Members discussed the findings of the analysis of causal factors behind Police Officer Injury on Duty (IOD) awards. The analysis of causal factors has been shared with the Health and Wellbeing team to allow, where possible, further targeted proactive interventions. Future analysis will be mainstreamed into future IOD reporting to this committee.

Health and Safety
The Committee is supportive of the Health and Safety Manager’s ambition to improve data capture; to affect positive change in the reduction of harm. Future reports will update the committee on impact of focused engagement to drive better reporting of accidents, incidents and Near Miss reporting.
The H&S Workplan remains on track as outlined in the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.
Workforce Data
The Committee is keen to see future reports evolve with richer data with better data being sought in several areas including workforce profile by protected characteristic; year on year trend analysis; police officer and police staff data.

Strategic Workforce Planning
Members noted the positive progress against the plan and appreciate the work that has been done in this area. Plans to address areas of slippage are in place and the Committee look forward understanding the timeline for future work.
Authority Benchmarking Review of Audit Scotland Reports
Audit Scotland published two section 22 reports to the Public Audit Committee of the Scottish Parliament on the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS). A report confirmed the most significant recommendations identified from the Audit are already in place at the Authority/Police Scotland and where opportunities to enhance policies have been identified, this will be done.
The most significant recommendations identified from the reports are already in place at the SPA/ PS. However, there were some areas where opportunities have been identified to enhance our policies

CONCLUSIONS/ACTIONS REACHED

• Future analysis of Injury on Duty casual factors to be mainstreamed into future reporting to this committee with any trends that are identified to be reported.
• Consideration to be given to how future committee reports can provide better insights across several areas including workforce profile by protected characteristic; year on year trend analysis; police officer and police staff data.
• Next Committee to consider a written update on relevant People related policy impacts resulting from the Supreme Court ruling on Sex & Gender.
• Delayed reports to be included on August agenda to ensure appropriate oversight of specific matters by the committee.