Save the date. A week of insight, expertise and shared experience to support forensic professionals. Part of the FCN Workforce Strategy.

Dealing with some of the most distressing situations imaginable can take a toll on even the most experienced practitioner.

There will be a packed programme through the week, covering the whole spectrum of wellbeing from healthy sleep habits to recognising the signs that you or a colleague might need help.

Hampshire Constabulary’s Head of Scientific Services, Tim Rowlandson is leading the wellbeing workstream of FCN’s Workforce Strategy. He said:

“We have to look after our people. Every day, they are exposed to some of the most extreme scenes of violence, death and depravation. Everyone working in this field should have access to a consistent level of support and wellbeing interventions to monitor and safeguard their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.”

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Tim continued:

“The sessions during the week are designed to be a balance between showcasing some innovative approaches to improving wellbeing and sharing personal stories of how working in forensics has impacted on peoples’ lives. We want to use this week to demonstrate what’s possible, and make it crystal clear that asking for help is not a sign of “weakness” but a vital part of dealing with the types of trauma we come across.”

The sessions will be recorded, so anyone working shifts can still access them. I’d also encourage leaders to use the recordings to review the level of support they have available and stimulate discussion within their teams.”

The FCN Workforce Strategy is led by a community of forensic leads, practitioners and academics. It aims to ensure policing has access to the right people and skills now and in future, ultimately for the benefit of the public and victims of crime.

FCN’s Paula Mulroy said:

“Forensic practitioners are long overdue a national strategy to support them, and as employers police forces deserve some national guidelines so they can better provide for their staff too. The conference is one of the first tangible products of the strategy and I hope colleagues will find it useful.”

You can find out more about the Workforce Strategy here >> “We have to look after them”: FCN begins policing’s first national forensic workforce strategy | Forensic Capability Network

"We want to use this week to demonstrate what’s possible, and make it crystal clear that asking for help is not a sign of “weakness” but a vital part of dealing with the types of trauma we come across." Tim Rowlandson, Hampshire Police Head of Scientific Services