Recommendation 14:
By 1 March 2024, chief fire officers should provide assurances to HMICFRS that they have implemented the standard on misconduct allegations and outcomes handling.
KFRS action
We have implemented the standard on misconduct allegations, and updated our Disciplinary policy in January 2024 to reflect this.
We also use our operational learning process to debrief on cases in order to learn how we can improve from each case we handle.
We adhere to the ACAS Code of Practice for Discipline and Grievance. KFRS Discipline policy has appendices to provide guidance as follows;
Appendix 1- Improvement Plans (Informal Disciplinary)
Appendix 2 - Disciplinary investigations FAQ's
Appendix 3 - How to conduct a disciplinary meeting
Appendix 4 - How to conduct a disciplinary hearing
Appendix 5 - How to conduct an appeal hearing
Appendix 6 - Suspension checklist and review record
Appendix 7 - Suspension guidance
Appendix 8 - Investigation plan and terms of reference
Appendix 9 - Risk of harm protocol
Appendix 10 - Disciplinary hearing levels of authority.
Ongoing work by Professional Standards team to map how we should complete investigations when a colleague leaves the service and if we should ever consider immediate dismissal. Professional Standards Team provides additional training support for the investigators of more serious allegations.