Autism/Learning Disabilities Training

The request was successful.

Dear West Mercia Police,

Please can you provide information to the following questions, with answers from January 2021 to present day:

1a. How many staff (including officers & PCSOs, detectives and civilian staff) have undertaken training in relation to Autism, Autism-Spectrum conditions and learning disabilities/difficulties? (Please breakdown the number by rank.)

1b. Is the training mandatory?

2a. Referring to those mentioned in Q1a, has anyone refused to undertake or not undertaken this training? (Please breakdown the number into the two categories by rank.)

2b. If so, is any disciplinary action taken against staff?

3a. How often is training supposed to be undertaken by staff?

3b. Are these guidelines followed?

4. What does the training entail?

Please contact me should you require any further explanation or have any further questions.

I look forward to your response within the standard 20 working days.

Yours faithfully,

Daniel J Newman

Information Compliance,

Dear Mr Newman

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO:  165727        

 

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
on 12^th April 2022.  Your request will now be considered in accordance
with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“the Act”).

 

We will aim to provide a response to your request within 20 working days
as stipulated by the Act.  Please note that there may be unavoidable
delays when making information rights requests during the COVID-19
pandemic.  We are triaging and addressing requests in the following
order:  Subject access and then FOI requests.   Every effort will be made
to meet our statutory timescales for responding.  Thank you for your
understanding.

 

There may be a fee payable for the retrieval, collation and provision of
the information you request.  If this is the case you will be informed and
the 20 working day timescale will be suspended until we receive payment
from you.  If you chose not to make payment then your request will be
withdrawn.

 

Some requests may also require either full or partial transference to
another public authority in order to answer your query in the fullest
possible way.  Again, you will be informed if this is the case.

 

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
contact the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Sue Cale

Information Compliance Assistant

 

West Mercia Police in complying with their statutory duty under sections 1
and 11 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed
information will not breach the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. 
However, the rights of the copyright owner of the enclosed information
will continue to be protected by law.  Applications for the copyright
owner’s written permission to reproduce any part of the attached
information should be addressed to The Force Solicitor, West Mercia Police
Headquarters, PO Box 55, Hindlip, Worcester, WR3 8SP.

 

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

 

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?  You have the right to require West Mercia Police
(WMP) to review their decision.

 

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the person that dealt with your request.

 

Ask to have the decision looked at again.  The quickest and easiest way to
have the decision looked at again is to telephone the person named at the
end of your decision letter.  That person will be able to discuss the
decision, explain any issues and assist with any problems.

 

Complaint

 

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
WMP made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information, you can lodge a complaint with WMP to have the
decision reviewed.  WMP must be notified of your intention to complain
within 40 working days of the date of its response to your Freedom of
Information request.  Complaints should be made in writing and addressed
to:

 

Information Compliance Unit

West Mercia Police Headquarters

PO Box 55

Hindlip Hall

Hindlip

Worcester

WR3 8SP

 

Alternatively, you can email [1][email address]

 

In all possible circumstances, WMP will aim to respond to your complaint
within 20 working days.

 

The Information Commissioner

 

If after lodging a complaint with WMP you are still dissatisfied with the
decision, you may make application to the Information Commissioner (ICO)
for a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with
in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

 

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their [2]website.  Alternatively, you can contact the ICO in
writing or via phone:

 

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

Tel:  0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545745 (national rate)

Fax:  01625 524 510

 

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[West Mercia Police request email]
2. https://ico.org.uk/

Daniel J Newman

Dear Information Compliance,

This request should have been responded to, by law, by 13 May 2022. Please can you update me on the progress of my request.

Yours sincerely,

Daniel J Newman

Information Compliance,

Dear Mr Newman

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 165727

With reference to your request for information which was received on 12th April 2022.

I apologise for the delay in responding to your FOI request and for any inconvenience caused. Every effort is being made to process requests within statutory deadlines but due to current circumstances delays have on occasion been unavoidable. We will provide you with a response to your request as soon as is practicable.

Please advise us if you no longer require this information.

Your complaint rights are outlined below should you be unsatisfied.

If you have any further queries concerning this matter, please contact the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number above.

Kind regards

Sue Cale
Information Compliance Assistant

West Mercia Police in complying with their statutory duty under sections 1 and 11 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed information will not breach the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. However, the rights of the copyright owner of the enclosed information will continue to be protected by law. Applications for the copyright owner’s written permission to reproduce any part of the attached information should be addressed to The Force Solicitor, West Mercia Police Headquarters, PO Box 55, Hindlip, Worcester, WR3 8SP.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the decision is incorrect? You have the right to require West Mercia Police (WMP) to review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to discuss the decision with the person that dealt with your request.

Ask to have the decision looked at again. The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to telephone the person named at the end of your decision letter. That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and assist with any problems.

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of WMP made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding access to information, you can lodge a complaint with WMP to have the decision reviewed. WMP must be notified of your intention to complain within 40 working days of the date of its response to your Freedom of Information request. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

Information Compliance Unit
West Mercia Police Headquarters
PO Box 55
Hindlip Hall
Hindlip
Worcester
WR3 8SP

Alternatively, you can email [email address]

In all possible circumstances, WMP will aim to respond to your complaint within 20 working days.

The Information Commissioner

If after lodging a complaint with WMP you are still dissatisfied with the decision, you may make application to the Information Commissioner (ICO) for a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner please visit their website. Alternatively, you can contact the ICO in writing or via phone:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Tel: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545745 (national rate)
Fax: 01625 524 510

show quoted sections

Information Compliance,

Dear Mr Newman

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 165727

 

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
on 12^th April 2022. Please find below the response to your request:

 

Please can you provide information to the following questions, with
answers from January 2021 to present day:

 

1a. How many staff (including officers & PCSOs, detectives and civilian
staff) have undertaken training in relation to Autism, Autism-Spectrum
conditions and learning disabilities/difficulties? (Please breakdown the
number by rank.)

 

1b. Is the training mandatory?

 

2a. Referring to those mentioned in Q1a, has anyone refused to undertake
or not undertaken this training? (Please breakdown the number into the two
categories by rank.)

 

2b. If so, is any disciplinary action taken against staff?

 

3a. How often is training supposed to be undertaken by staff?

 

3b. Are these guidelines followed?

 

4. What does the training entail?

 

 

Reply

 

1a. How many staff (including officers & PCSOs, detectives and civilian
staff) have undertaken training in relation to Autism, Autism-Spectrum
conditions and learning disabilities/difficulties? (Please breakdown the
number by rank.)

 

 

Externally run training:

Neurodiversity, Autism and Mental Health – 1 officer (Det Con)

 

Internally run training:

PPST Public and Personal Safety Training (for Police Officers) – The
pre-read material for this mandatory training contains links to pre-read
material about Autism Awareness.

 

Rank Total
PCDA 3
Con 1430
Det Con 232
T/Det
Con 6
Sgt 126
T/Sgt 39
Sergeant
NPPF 44
T/Sgt
NPPF 5
Det Sgt 48
T/Det
Sgt 3
Det Sgt
NPPF 1
Insp 39
T/Insp 15
Insp
NPPF 8
Det Insp 15
T/Det
Insp 3
Ch Insp 9
T/Ch
Insp 2
Det Ch
Insp 4
Supt 3
Ch Supt 2
T/Ch
Supt 1
Grand
Total 2038

 

PPST Public and Personal Safety Training (for Special Officers)

 

 

Rank Total
Sp
Con 70
Sp
Sgt 10
T/Sp
Sgt 1
Sp
Insp 5
Sp Ch
Insp 4
Sp
Supt 1
Grand
Total 91

 

CSO Safety Training (for PCSO’s)

 

Grade Total
AC 85
C 133
Grand
Total 218

 

 

eLearning:

All of the below incorporate some information on Autism / Asperger’s /
Neurodiverse conditions / Mental Health conditions / Learning
difficulties. The data is held by role not rank.

 

Police
Community
Support Police Police Special Student Grand
Row Labels Officer Officer Staff Constabulary Officer Total
1. Mental Health 1 3 3 7
2. Learning Disabilities and
Other Cognitive Conditions 1 4 2 7
3. Communication 1 4 2 7
4. Mental Health and the
Police – Initial Response 1 5 3 9
Briefing Document - Mental
Health Act Amendments 2017 1 2 3
BTP - SPMH 03. What is an
Intervention? 2 2
BTP - SPMH 04. Myths and
Barriers to Intervening 1 1
BTP - SPMH 05. Identifying a
Vulnerable Person 3 3
Developing a strategic
response to mental health
v2.0 3 2 5
Developing a strategic
response to mental health. 2 1 1 4
Equality Act 2010 8 7 66 4 85
Mental Health - Incident in
a Hospital 1 1 1 3
Mental Health - Incident on
Private Premises 1 1 4 6
Mental Health - Victims with
learning disabilities 1 2 2 5
Mental Health and Learning
Disability Awareness 30 5 3 38
Mental Health and the Police 9 371 254 19 22 675
Mental Health Programme
Specification 6 1 7
Mental Health Trainer Guide 1 1
Mental_Health_and_the_Police
v3.0 1 2 3
Module 1: Mental Health
Explained 9 390 275 18 27 719
Module 2: Mental Health
Initial Response 9 374 263 17 22 685
PROTA421 Providing a first
response to mental health
incidents 1 1 1 3
PROTX004 Public Protection
Level 2 3 1 4
PROTX420 Mental health and
the police 7 3 10
Providing specialist support
in mental health incidents
v2.0 1 1 2
Public Protection - Abusive
Relationship 8 76 46 3 133
Public Protection - Man in
Distress 7 75 47 3 1 133
Grand Total 50 1354 995 89 72 2560

 

 

1b. Is the training mandatory?

PPST Public and Personal Safety Training as well as the eLearning packages
highlighted in yellow are mandatory.

 

2a. Referring to those mentioned in Q1a, has anyone refused to undertake
or not undertaken this training? (Please breakdown the number into the two
categories by rank.)

 

No information held

 

2b. If so, is any disciplinary action taken against staff?

N/A

 

3a. How often is training supposed to be undertaken by staff?

PPST must be refreshed every 12, 24, 36 months depending on the rank and
role of the officer.

PPST for Specials must be refreshed every 12 months.

CSO Safety Training must be refreshed every 12 months

 

Mandatory eLearning (highlighted in yellow) must be done when joining the
force. When the packages have been updated, all must refresh their
knowledge.

 

3b. Are these guidelines followed?

Yes

 

4. What does the training entail?

PPST and CSO Safety training involves refreshing policing skills; tactical
communication, personal safety skills, equipment and restraints in a
scenario based environment. It is scenario based training so a sound
knowledge of mental health / learning difficulties is required. The
pre-reads must be done prior to attendance (which includes information as
mentioned in 1a).

 

ELearning:

Mental Health and the Police – published by the College of Policing in
2021 – contains 2 modules as below.

 

·         This first module explores mental health issues and learning
disabilities. It introduces essential topics relevant to policing matters
relating to mental health and some of the legislation around mental
health.

 

·         This is the second of two digital modules of the Mental Health
and the Police digital training programme. This module explores
communication with people experiencing mental ill health, responding to
incidents, handling information and further support and resources
available.

 

It includes;

 

-       Mental Health conditions

-       Learning disabilities

-       Neurodiverse conditions

 

 

Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of
complaint.

 

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
contact the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Becky Spencer
Information Compliance Officer | Information Compliance Unit  | West
Mercia Police

Hindlip Hall Police Headquarters, Hindlip Hall, Worcester, WR3 8SP
Direct Dial:01905 338819 Ext. 7773089

Team email: [1][email address]

 

 

 

 

 

 

West Mercia Police in complying with their statutory duty under sections 1
and 11 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed
information will not breach the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
However, the rights of the copyright owner of the enclosed information
will continue to be protected by law. Applications for the copyright
owner’s written permission to reproduce any part of the attached
information should be addressed to The Force Solicitor, West Mercia Police
Headquarters, PO Box 55, Hindlip, Worcester, WR3 8SP.

 

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

 

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect? You have the right to require West Mercia Police
(WMP) to review their decision.

 

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the person that dealt with your request.

 

Ask to have the decision looked at again. The quickest and easiest way to
have the decision looked at again is to telephone the person named at the
end of your decision letter. That person will be able to discuss the
decision, explain any issues and assist with any problems.

 

Complaint

 

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
WMP made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information, you can lodge a complaint with WMP to have the
decision reviewed. WMP must be notified of your intention to complain
within 40 working days of the date of its response to your Freedom of
Information request. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed
to:

 

Information Compliance Unit

West Mercia Police Headquarters

PO Box 55

Hindlip Hall

Hindlip

Worcester

WR3 8SP

 

Alternatively, you can email [2][email address]

 

In all possible circumstances, WMP will aim to respond to your complaint
within 20 working days.

 

The Information Commissioner

 

If after lodging a complaint with WMP you are still dissatisfied with the
decision, you may make application to the Information Commissioner (ICO)
for a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with
in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

 

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their [3]website. Alternatively, you can contact the ICO in
writing or via phone:

 

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

Tel: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545745 (national rate)

Fax: 01625 524 510

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://ico.org.uk/