Standards in the Fire & Rescue Service Karl Smith PSBProject@ukfrs.com

Accountability and Transparency Fire Reform agenda… ‘…a comprehensive set of professional standards’ Theresa May (May 2016) Efficiency and Collaboration Accountability and Transparency Workforce Reform ‘…framework of standards for the service' Brandon Lewis (Feb 2017) Outcomes required by Govt Driving forward the fire reform agenda A step-change in efficiency and collaboration Strengthen transparency and accountability to the communities we serve by: establishing measurable, evidence based common standards reinforcing the importance of a diverse and flexible workforce

Fire Service Inspectorate National Fire Chiefs Council Delivering Reform Professional Standards Body

What could it mean to services? Enhance the professionalism of the service Create structure and organisation around standards already in place Address gaps and provide an essential pathway for professional career development Ensure standards are sustainable, measurable, evidence-based and undergo independent scrutiny Provide greater transparency and public assurance On slide – words from Minister letter Alternatives modified from CoP aims: Better support those working in the fire & rescue services Support senior management teams to ensure services are operating effectively, efficiently

Project Structure/Governance Project Board Project Executive Project Team Stakeholders Consultees

Project Team Chris Bigland Senior Responsible Officer Joy Flanagan Deputy Senior Responsible Officer Karl Smith Project Support Steve Buchanan-Lee Project Officer (NOS & Qualifications) Home Office Project Consultee / Support Voluntary / Commissioned Support

Project Objectives

The PSB Project Team will: Identify and collate existing standards Recommend a scrutiny and approval mechanism for new and existing standards Explore and recommend models for how the body will operate, be funded and staffed Consult and engage with stakeholders throughout the project Produce a business case by September 2017*

The PSB Project Team will not: Develop or amend any standards This will be a role for the newly established body post September Establish the professional standards body Create a work plan for the body Appoint or recruit staff

Who’s in? Government (Legislation / Policy) Fire & Rescue Services (Public) Governance (LGA, PCC’s Mayors…) Fire & Rescue Services (Private) Suppliers (Products, Services)

Who’s in? Government (Legislation / Policy) Fire & Rescue Services (Public) Governance (LGA, PCC’s Mayors…) Fire & Rescue Services (Private) Suppliers (Products, Services)

Draft Project Stages & Milestones March April May June July August Sept Project Board Fire Reform Board Planning Project Docs complete Literature Review Standard Setting Review Operating Model Review Complete business case Business Case Development Stakeholder survey Workshops , conferences, visits Stakeholder consultation Key Governance Project stages Stakeholder Engagement

Literature Review

Business Areas for a typical FRS Corporate planning and governance Finance department & services Learning and Development, Training Performance and Data Technical Services Health and Safety Fleet Management FRS Legal Services Human Resources Protection – Fire Safety Prevention - Community Safety Business Administration Operational Response Communications & Media Emergency Planning/LRF Information & Communication Technology Estate and asset management

Learning & Development /Human Resources Standards landscape Leadership NVQs ILM ELP BA/BSc MA/ MSc Practitioner  Supervisory Middle Manager Specialist Strategic Manager Health & Safety IOSH Working Safely IOSH Managing Safely NEBOSH Cert Diploma Occ H&S NEBOSH Diploma/Degree Practitioner  Supervisory Middle Manager Specialist Strategic Manager Finance PQ IPFM Audit Counter Fraud Financial Reporting Practitioner  Supervisory Middle Manager Specialist Strategic Manager Learning & Development /Human Resources Foundation Intermediate Advanced Practitioner Supervisory Middle Manager Specialist  Strategic Manager

Engagement activity All UK Fire and Rescue Services Industry Associations Other sector support

Understanding the standard setting process Creation, evolution and abolition

Basic standards setting process stages & actions Proposal for standard New Revision of existing Evidence of requirement? Categorise , Verify & Approve Progress Is it required? What does it relate to? Decision making Research & Development Consult and gather information Drafting Consultation Consider feedback Revise Finalise Approve, publish & adoption In sector & independent Mandatory or advisory Maintain Review cycles Owner

A standard methodology for standards… Health Education College of Policing Fire…

Current process for FRS NOS (Prevention, Protection & Operational) Provide feedback to sector No Approval for progression Collation of requests for new / review of existing NOS Annual submission for whole sector reviewed FRS SECTOR Occupational Committee NOS & Quals Group Yes Annual plan agreed & progress tracked NOS development commissioned to Skills for FRS NOS delivered Skills for FRS Occupational Committee

A process for the Fire & Rescue Services

What could the PSB process look like? Proposal for standard Categorise , Verify & Approve Progress Research & Development ? ? ? Consultation Approve, publish & adoption Maintain ? ? ?

No need to reinvent the wheel? NFCC National Occupational Committee IFE Central Programme Office NOS & Quals Group BSI NFCC Coordination Committees Devolved Administrations College of Policing Operational Guidance Strategy Board Home Office Skills for Fire & Rescue Local Government Association Assoc of Police & Crime Commissioners National Operational Guidance Programme Academic Organisations (R&D, Qualifications) Other emergency services? Civil Contingencies Secretariat

Some names in the frame? Approval / Decision Making Advice / Scrutiny Research & Development Project Mgt, Admin, Communications NFCC & Coordination Committees Operational Guidance Strategy Board (NOG) National Occupational Committee LGA PCCs Devolved Administrations Home Office College of Policing National Occupational Committee NOS & Quals Group IFE BSI College of Policing Skills for FRS Academia Other Emergency Services Other Government Departments (Cabinet Office) FRS Subject Matter Advisors / Experts NOL College of Policing R&D team Academia Skills for FRS NOGP BSI IFE Wider Sector Central Programme Office NFCC Secretariat College of Policing Skills for FRS IFE

Some names in the frame? Approval / Decision Making Advice / Scrutiny Research & Development Project Mgt, Admin, Communications NFCC & Coordination Committees Operational Guidance Strategy Board (NOG) National Occupational Committee LGA PCCs Devolved Administrations Home Office College of Policing National Occupational Committee NOS & Quals Group IFE BSI College of Policing Skills for FRS Academia Other Emergency Services Other Government Departments (Cabinet Office) FRS Subject Matter Advisors / Experts NOL College of Policing R&D team Academia Skills for FRS NOGP BSI IFE Wider Sector Central Programme Office NFCC Secretariat College of Policing Skills for FRS IFE

The other big questions…. Virtual or physical? Part of another organisation? College of Policing? College of Fire? NFCC? Conglomerate? Then…. How should this be funded?

In summary… Standards landscape is being collated to provide the Inspectorate with a baseline of standards currently in use within the sector Standards body models are being developed Funding and management options will be developed once the models are set The final business case will be agreed in draft for consultation in August.