Issue details

In 2024 the then Home Secretary Suella Braverman agreed to fund a Proof of Concept for a police MHCL in 2024. (Both fire and ambulance services already have their own line.)

This was set up in the Northeast region and commenced service in June 2024. The evaluation has been positive.

The National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS) has taken the decision to roll out the service on a national basis. The estimated annual cost is in the order of £150k per annum and there is an agreement in principle to fund this via the Comprehensive Spending Review from April 2026, and it is being included in the NPCC’s submission.

However, there is an urgent need to establish this before this date and as soon as possible to provide the support to officers and staff who are at crisis point. The lack of crisis support has also been highlighted following a recent coroner’s inquest and the issuing of a S28 Prevention of Future Deaths. If funding is available in 2025/26, a provider to deliver a national service can be selected and the roll out commenced as soon as possible in 2025.

NPWS have asked for a contribution of £4k per force to be able to do this. In GM it has been agreed this will be funded via the Deputy Mayor’ PCC budgets.