Police Care UK has launched a clinical pilot to support the physical and psychological wellbeing of new and aspiring superintendents.
The trauma-informed Superintendent Preparedness Programme combines specialist tutorials, workshops and mentoring to help officers move into senior leadership.
Drawing on occupational and policing-specific perspectives, it prepares officers for the psychological, relational and organisational demands of the role.
Participants will understand the realities of superintendent work, identify their strengths and development needs, build effective working strategies and plan how to sustain their effectiveness.
Developed by Police Care UK’s Clinical Team, with input from Noreen Tehrani Associates and serving superintendents, the programme will help officers protect their physical and psychological wellbeing in a demanding role.
The pilot launches in October across four UK regions – Scotland and Northern Ireland, Northern England, the Midlands and Southern England – before being independently evaluated by Dr Jo Billings at University College London.
Tracy Hampson, Director of Operations, unveiled the programme at this month’s Police Superintendents’ Association Conference in Stratford.
“It is designed to enhance the psychological readiness of those taking on the superintendent role,” she said.
“It has been informed and co-produced by superintendents, and we’ll continue to refine it with their input throughout the pilot.”
Dr Noreen Tehrani, who delivered a presentation covering her work on the project’s development, felt those who completed programme would be better informed with regards to the rigours of their new role.
“This project began with a relatively simple question: Are we doing enough to prepare people not just to achieve promotion to superintendent, but for the reality of actually being one?
“What has emerged is a project about transition, preparedness and sustainable effectiveness in one of the most important organisational roles in policing.
“The purpose is to produce someone who understands what they’re entering, knows how they will operate within it, recognises how they will sustain themselves, and knows where to get support when circumstances change.”
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Police Care UK is keen to hear from any serving and veteran superintendents who wish to share with us their experience of taking on the role or are keen to help mentor the next generation. Please complete our short questionnaire where you can also indicate your interest in coaching future superintendents.
