- Conference
- 2023 Police & Justice Service Group Conference
- Date
- 8 June 2023
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that many members working in front line roles are regularly exposed to traumatic working conditions. Members who are in roles that are exposed to new or additional trauma may therefore have a higher risk of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety and possibly Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which could result in significant impact on psychological wellbeing and long term sickness absence.
Conference recognises the benefit of appropriate counselling and other wellbeing programs provided by some employers. Conference also recognises the work being undertaken to capture data in respect of police officers, focussing on the attendance at traumatic incidents.
Conference believes that many UNISON members working in Police, Probation and CAFCASS are regularly subject to trauma as part of their day to day work. That trauma can have an immediate and/or cumulative effect, which will not always be recognised by the individual or employer.
Conference calls on the Police and Justice Service Group Executive to seek to develop a model policy which calls on Police, Probation and Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) employers to develop systems which identify employees who are likely to experience trauma and automatically refer on a regular basis to appropriate wellbeing/counselling services.