Latest HMICFRS inspection report for Staffordshire
Our progress against the HMICFRS recommendations made within our Round 3 inspection report published September 2024
The inspection assessed how well the service has performed in 11 areas. We received the following graded judgments:
- Responding to major incidents
- Understanding fire and risk
- Responding to fires and emergencies
- Best use of resources
- Future affordability
- Promoting values and culture
- Right people, right skills
- Preventing fire and risk
- Public safety through fire regulation
- Promoting fairness and diversity
- Managing performance and developing leaders
*HMICFRS measure fire and rescue services against the 11 characteristics of 'good' awarding potential gradings of Outstanding, Good, Adequate, Requires Improvement or Inadequate.
In the rest of the report, HMICFRS sets out its detailed findings about the areas in which the service has performed well and where it should improve. HMICFRS highlighted two areas of promising practice: our collaboration with the Civil Contingencies Unit for major incidents and our partnership with the NHS on falls response and home-from-hospital services. Read the full report
Read more about how we did in our last HMICFRS inspection.
The report contained five areas for improvement. This page details our response to these recommendations:
Areas for improvement
Area for improvement
The service should make sure all staff understand how to identify vulnerability and safeguard vulnerable people.
Action we have taken
A review of safeguarding training was completed, leading to a decision to implement Level 2 training for all operational staff with periodic refreshers. Planning is underway to scope out the costs and methods of delivering sessions during day shifts for whole-time crews and drill nights for on-call crews, with flexibility on locations.
Status
On track
Area for improvement
The service should make sure it has an effective quality assurance process, so staff carry out audits to a consistent standard
Action we have taken
A plan was developed, focusing on reviewing the Quality Assurance Policy, ensuring compliance monitoring systems, and scrutinising performance. Managers have confirmed the policy is suitable. Systems for quality assurance monitoring are now in place, with ongoing monthly reviews. Performance will be formally assessed in June 2025, with continuous monitoring in the meantime
Status
On track
Area for improvement
The service should make sure all staff understand the benefits of equality, diversity, inclusion and positive action and their role in promoting them
Action we have taken
An ED&I awareness presentation and positive action awareness sessions have been developed. The training will initially be delivered to wholetime recruits, with feedback used to refine the package. The possibility of offering ‘Active Bystander’ training to new recruits and those who have not yet received it is being explored. Representative bodies and group networks have also been consulted
Status
On track
Area for improvement
The service should make sure it has robust processes in place to carry out equality impact assessments and review any actions agreed as a result
Action we have taken
The NFCC training on Equality Impact Assessments (EqIA) has now been completed, with nominated Champions across the service. EqIA guidance and a ‘How to’ guide has been created and is available to all staff via SharePoint.
Status
Complete
Area for improvement
The service should put in place an open and fair process to identify, develop and support high-potential staff and aspiring leaders
Action we have taken
Research planned by Learning and Development is now complete, this involved reviewing National Fire Chiefs Council and other fire and rescue service activity. Now creating a recommendation paper and policy, including rational.
Status
On track