Workforce

The Forensic Capability Network (FCN) is committed to addressing the workforce challenges facing the forensic science community. Working across policing, academia, and partners, we support initiatives that enhance recruitment, retention, training, wellbeing, and long-term workforce planning.

Through collaboration and sector-wide engagement, we help shape innovative and effective approaches that ensure policing has access to the skilled forensic professionals it needs now and in the future.

Identified priorities

• Support the continued delivery and adoption of the Level 4 Digital Forensic Technician apprenticeship and other relevant apprenticeships across policing, working with learning providers and accreditation organisations, providing ongoing coordination and guidance.
• Develop and promote alternative routes into forensic careers to broaden access, increase diversity, and strengthen the future workforce pipeline.
• Continue to facilitate the development and publication of current, relevant, and nationally consistent guidance and good practice, supporting informed decision-making across the forensic community.
• Promote and support forensic practitioner wellbeing through engagement with national partners and networks, including Oscar Kilo, the NPCC Workforce Coordination Committee, and the NPCC Recruitment, Retention and Wellbeing of Investigators Committee.
• Champion the needs of the forensic workforce and advocate for wellbeing initiatives that support a healthy, resilient workforce.

Purpose of activities

• These activities will help to:
• Safeguard and improve the health, wellbeing, and resilience of the forensic workforce.
• Increase retention within forensic roles and organisations.
• Ensure practitioners have access to the right training, learning, and professional development opportunities.
• Build a workforce that is skilled, capable, and fit for current and future operational demands.
• Attract individuals with the right skills, knowledge, and potential into forensic careers.
• Provide nationally recognised, accessible, and high-quality learning pathways.
• Encourage workforce stability through improved recruitment, development, and retention strategies.
• Enable the regular sharing of knowledge, learning, and emerging good practice to drive national consistency, standardisation, and improved decision-making across forensic services.

Overall objective: To develop a sustainable, skilled, and supported forensic workforce that can meet the evolving needs of policing and the wider criminal justice system.