Recommendation - South Wales Police, July 2025
We found organisational learning around the provision of timely, reasonable adjustments for disabled employees. This learning recommendation followed an IOPC investigation review, following a complaint investigation.
Recommendations
1 totalThe IOPC recommends that South Wales Police review and where necessary amend their practice, guidance and policies surrounding the provision of timely reasonable adjustments for disabled employees. This learning recommendation has arisen following an IOPC investigation review, following a complaint investigation. During the course of the investigation, an officer stated that they accessed old entries on the force system without a policing purpose. They wanted to review the templates used for that crime type. This helped them remember what they needed to do and made it simpler as they struggled to use the system due to being dyslexic. They did not have any supporting software to assist them in using police systems and completing day-to-day tasks. It is hoped that by reviewing and amending practice, guidance and policies, that officers will be supported appropriately, and this may prevent a recurrence of similar behaviour by other officers.
Accepted A Continuous Improvement exercise was finalised in 2024, identifying a number of improvements and recommendations with regards to the provision of reasonable adjustments. The aim of the work was to enable South Wales Police to: Following an in-depth analysis of the issues at hand the following principles were proposed: The following progress has been made against the recommendations: Resources In January 2025 a Workforce Accessibility Team was created to implement the changes and drive improvement for the long term. This team comprises of an HR Business Partner, Sergeant and Workforce Accessibility Support Officer. The original recommendation of the appointing of a Reasonable Adjustments Coordinator has been incorporated into the HR Business Partner and Sergeant functions. Governance An appropriate governance structure within HR has been adopted with further work underway to understand how the work bridges into wider force governance systems. Workforce Ability Passport/Toolkit The Neurodiversity Toolkit, aimed at supporting staff and officers, was launched in March 2025. With regards to the passport and following consultation with the relevant staff support networks/force departments, an interim process/passport has been agreed, due for roll out in September 2025. This is a temporary measure whilst the long-term plan for a Reasonable Adjustments Portal/APP is realised. Standardisation of processes and forms All Reasonable Adjustments Guidance is under review and will be launched alongside the new passport to ensure consistency and standardisation. Itwill also include all new starters and will ensure a closer working relationship with our Learning and Development Services colleagues to ensure all Reasonable Adjustments and relevant information is reviewed and shared at key times. Co-ordination of Neurodiversity Assessments and Assessors When adjustments are required for a neurodivergent condition, if necessary, a full assessment will be completed and appropriate software, coaching, etc will be arranged. This process is now in place via an external provider, however going forward SWP is aiming to train 10 Level 4 Assessors. Reasonable Adjustments Panel This has been implemented. Oversight of Recuperative and Adjusted Duties officers Recuperative and Adjusted Officers are now a standard agenda item in Organisational Resource Board and Strategic Resource Board – relevant data/detail is included as part of the pack for both meetings. The detail contained in this response satisfied the recommendation and demonstrates the work undertaken by South Wales Police, far in advance of the recommendation being received, to better support neurodiverse colleagues and our ongoing commitment in this space.