Further detail

The Forensic Services 2-year Business Plan for the period 2024 to 2026 was presented to the Forensic Services Committee on 7th May 2024. Key activities within the plan relate to our people.

Services back arrangements are in place, with People and Development and Health and Safety support provided to Forensic Services by Police Scotland. This includes the provision of data dashboards and reports.

In order to ensure proportionate reporting while also providing assurance to the SPA People Committee on Forensic Services people related matters, the following is proposed:

 Workforce monitoring data working together with colleagues in Police Scotland, Forensic Services will ensure strategic insights related to Forensic Services can be included in regular reporting by Police Scotland.
 Health and Safety reporting to be incorporated into the Police Scotland report, and as above, Forensic Services insights highlighted as appropriate.
 Exception reporting approach, where specific papers will be submitted to the People Committee where relevant, as per the SPA People Committee terms of reference. This will include new developments or activities unique to Forensic Services.

In addition, to the above, it is proposed that the SPA People Committee Workplan considers the following additional Forensic Services reports- which are of strategic relevance and defined in our Forensic Services Business Plan for 2024 to 2026:

 Forensic Services Inclusivity Programme – a programme of work within Forensic Services and SPA which differs from the Police Scotland Policing Together programme- timescale for reporting Q4 2024/25
 Forensic Services Strategic Workforce Plan- timescale for reporting Q1 2025/26
 Annual Forensic Services People Report- this will include an overview of the previous year, on matters such as wellbeing; ill-health retirals; people metrics; learning and development; health and safety; progress and impact of strategic people related activity within the Forensic Services Business Plan and People Plan- timescale for reporting Autumn 2025

All updates will include consideration of output measures of success and will link to our strategic people-related outcome and objectives.

The above proposal aims to allow openness and transparency on Forensic Services people related matters, while also being proportionate, streamlining reporting and recognising where Forensic Services may be different / have unique considerations from Police Scotland/ SPA.

The above proposal has been developed through engagement with SPA Corporate and Police Scotland. It is recognised that there is work ongoing to further develop the reporting of people related management information across Police Scotland and SPA. Forensic Services are keen to support this work and thereby allow the right level of assurance and scrutiny at the SPA People Committee members on our people related matters.