Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 42
42
Accepted in Part
Make FCDO security and mental health expertise accessible to local NGOs upon request.
Conclusion
Beyond funding, the FCDO should explore how it might make its in- house security and mental health expertise, particularly at diplomatic mission level, accessible to local NGOs as requested as appropriate. (Recommendation, Paragraph 81)
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating they cannot commit resources to extend direct security and mental health services to third parties. However, they are open to sharing the rationale for their strategic approach to staff welfare and wellbeing and encourage mutual information exchange with interested partners.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Partially Agree. Mental health and security support is designed specifically to meet the needs of staff and their families for whom HMG holds a legal duty of care obligation. An extension of these services to third parties would require additional resources to meet additional demand and, to properly tailor existing FCDO services to other profiles, languages and risk appetites, to which we’re unable to commit. The FCDO’s mental health and wellbeing support to staff and dependants overseas is informed by advice from our Mental Health Expert Advisory Group, which convenes professional and academic experts from outside the FCDO, and by our Chief Medical Officer. The support offer includes a contracted Employee Assistance Programme, in-house welfare officers, the use of Trauma Risk Management after potentially traumatic events, guidance on exposure to potentially traumatic material, and more. The UK-based team overseeing this work and our Chief Medical Officer remain open to sharing the rationale for our strategic approach to maintaining staff welfare and wellbeing with interested partners. The safety of our staff and their families is paramount to enable them to work effectively and to protect them from harm. Particularly in fragile or conflict-affected environments, local relationships, including with the international development community, are an important contribution to a robust security posture. While we have neither the resources nor local mandate to provide in-country security advice to third parties, whose approach frequently differs from our own in respect of operating models, threat profiles and risk appetite, we are keen to see regular exchanges of information where these are mutually beneficial.