Report Summary
This report provides members of the Forensic Services Committee with an overview of Staff Survey – Short Life Working Group Update.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Forensic Services Committee - 7 August 2025
Date : 07 August 2025
Location : Online
Further Detail on Report Topic
In response to the survey results, the Director of Forensic Services authorised the commencement of a Short Life Working group (SLWG) to progress the key themes identified.
The SLWG has commenced, with the first meeting taking place on 21 March 2025. A total of six meetings have taken place, with the most recent being held on 29 July 2025. The SLWG is Chaired by Paul Stewart in his role as lead for the People Portfolio within Forensic Services.
The purpose of the SLWG is to:
- Provide a staff forum for open and full discussions relative to the INvolve and Your Voice Matters staff survey results
- Support detailed engagement on key areas related to the surveys
- Identify opportunities to make improvements in areas identified within the survey’s and, across Forensic Services
- To work collectively on delivering outcomes
- Report progress through the People Board, JNCC Sub-Group and the Forensic Services Committee.
To date, circa 40 members of staff from several Forensic Services departments are actively involved in the SLWG. The group will remain open on an ongoing basis to allow for additional staff to become involved as the work progresses.
Trade Union colleagues from Unite and UNISON attend and are an integral part of the group.
In line with the survey results and subsequent recommendations, the SLWG has now subdivided into five Focus Groups, these are:
- Culture
- Workplace Environment
- Addressing any areas of discrimination, bullying or harassment
- Leadership Improvement
- Fairness of opportunity, career progression and recruitment
Each of the Focus groups aim is to: ‘identify relevant areas (linked to specific focus groups) where challenges or issues exist, discuss areas where improvements can be made and submit recommendations to the SLWG’
The Focus Groups, with one exception (Culture), are led by staff operating in a non-managerial role. The staff members leading on the groups will be supported and offered opportunities for coaching and mentoring throughout the work of their group. The first meeting of each focus group will take place across July and August 2025.
The full timescales for the duration of the SLWG are not yet known. Timescales will be influenced by the work streams that will flow from each of the individual focus groups.
The SLWG will provide a further update at the Forensic Service Committee meeting on 30 October 2025.
