Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Item

25 September 2002

Integrated Personal Development System

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Contact:

Bob Ratcliffe T/Senior Divisional Officer 023 8064 4000 Ext 880

1

Introduction

1.1

The Integrated Personal Development System (IPDS) is a national development strategy for all Fire Service staff from the point of entry to retirement. It includes the full range of Service activities, and will enable all personnel to attain, maintain and develop their competence and skills. This will be in accordance with National Occupational Standards (NOS). IPDS represents the largest single change in the way the Fire Service develops and manages its personnel, be they uniformed or support staff.

1.2

IPDS was developed following several incident related accidents in the mid 1990's. Investigations by the Health and Safety Executive indicated that the Service was not providing the appropriate training or development for its personnel. It was acknowledged at the time that a system of competency based training was required, and that a much more integrated process of gaining the necessary skills and knowledge was needed.

1.3

The principle of IPDS is the development of personnel in their role and in their place of work to ensure they are able to demonstrate competence. Personnel will be encouraged to take ownership of their own training and development and will be assisted in this by their line managers. This will allow personnel to progressively develop within a specific role or by following a structured individually tailored career path. Key will be the need to ensure that staff have the appropriate competencies to undertake their role before formal appointment to that position.

2

Implementation of IPDS

2.1

IPDS was formally endorsed by the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council for England and Wales on 14 October 2001 and therefore is national policy endorsed by the Secretary of State.

2.2

The Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association (CACFOA) has taken a leading role in the introduction of IPDS. As a result many Hampshire officers have been instrumental in designing parts of the new system.

2.3

IPDS applies to roles for all uniformed staff (wholetime and retained) and includes service delivery, fire safety and control staff. Fire Services are required to commence the implementation of IPDS from April 2003.

2.4

Because of the integrated nature of the process, IPDS will have an impact on many of the Service processes, facilities and working practices. This impact will not be confined only to dedicated training resources but will also affect the Personnel, Operations and Health & Safety Functions. Indeed, a major drive of the revised structural arrangements for the Service has been the implementation of IPDS. Similarly, the design of future recruitment, training programmes and selection initiatives is already underway to ensure consistency and conformity.

2.5

Given the breadth and depth of the impact of IPDS, the technical nature of the development process itself, and the potential for future revenue and capital resource implications, locally and nationally, the intention is to provide the Authority with regular update reports. However, it would also be advantageous to have a small group of members who have a more in depth knowledge of the subject and its likely impact on the Service locally, regionally and nationally.

3

European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

3.1

The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998, and considered in the light of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Recommendation

That the Authority approve the appointment of a small working group of three HFRA Members. This group will meet with officers of the HFRS Training Function on a periodic basis to receive more detailed briefings on the development and implementation of IPDS in the Service.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report.

None.

NB The list excludes:

1 Published works

2 Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act

Dir.fin: HFRA 25 9 2002 IPDS Training 12 9 2002