Recommendation 31

We were shocked by the CCRC leadership’s decision—quite out of line with the rest of the public sector where hybrid working prevails—to turn the organisation fully remote. We struggle to understand how investigative case work, with its complexities and potential for distress, is suitable to be undertaken fully from home, even with the most robust virtual support in place. We find it difficult to see how staff can readily and spontaneously get advice, talk through difficult issues or share concerns—with each other and with commissioners—in the way they had done in the office. Amanda Pearce told us that that there was “no magic” to working in the office. Although we would not describe it as “magic”, we believe that there is much to be gained for staff and their work from interacting in the office. (Conclusion, Paragraph 93) 48