Latest HMICFRS inspection report for Staffordshire
Our progress against the HMICFRS recommendations made within our Round 3 inspection report published September 2024
The inspection assessed how well the service has performed in 11 areas. We received the following graded judgments:
- Responding to major incidents
- Understanding fire and risk
- Responding to fires and emergencies
- Best use of resources
- Future affordability
- Promoting values and culture
- Right people, right skills
- Preventing fire and risk
- Public safety through fire regulation
- Promoting fairness and diversity
- Managing performance and developing leaders
*HMICFRS measure fire and rescue services against the 11 characteristics of 'good' awarding potential gradings of Outstanding, Good, Adequate, Requires Improvement or Inadequate.
In the rest of the report, HMICFRS sets out its detailed findings about the areas in which the service has performed well and where it should improve. HMICFRS highlighted two areas of promising practice: our collaboration with the Civil Contingencies Unit for major incidents and our partnership with the NHS on falls response and home-from-hospital services. Read the full report
Read more about how we did in our last HMICFRS inspection.
The report contained five areas for improvement. This page details our response to these recommendations:
Areas for improvement
Area for improvement
The service should make sure all staff understand how to identify vulnerability and safeguard vulnerable people.
Action we have taken
Following a review, all operational staff will now receive Level 2 safeguarding training, with regular refreshers. Training began in May 2025 and will run for approximately 12 months. Whole-time crews are trained during day shifts, while on-call crews attend sessions on drill nights, with flexible locations to support attendance.
Funding for face-to-face delivery was approved in March 2025. Options for refresher training—either in-person or online—will be considered after the initial rollout. Although the programme has been well received, operational pressures have caused a slower start. Completion of the training is expected by May 2026, at which point formal sign-off will be considered.
Status
On track
Area for improvement
The service should make sure it has an effective quality assurance process, so staff carry out audits to a consistent standard
Action we have taken
A recent review confirmed that the Quality Assurance (QA) Policy is appropriate and effective. Monthly QA reviews are now a regular part of managers’ meetings, and QA monitoring is firmly established as a standing agenda item. Performance assessments are ongoing. In the most recent reporting period, some planned sampling was not carried out due to delays in qualification validation. At the end of the period, a group of qualified staff were actively carrying out audits. Each auditor was observed by their line manager, with feedback recorded in line with QA procedures.
The next phase of sampling has now begun, with several activities planned. Internal monitoring is scheduled for later in the financial year, and discussions are underway to arrange an external peer review with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service. To fully demonstrate compliance with the QA policy, all required activities must be completed at least once. This process will take more than a year, with formal sign-off expected once all elements are in place.
Status
On track
Area for improvement
The service should make sure all staff understand the benefits of equality, diversity, inclusion and positive action and their role in promoting them
Action we have taken
An Equality Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) awareness presentation has been developed and launched across the Service, with face-to-face sessions planned over the next year and beyond. An early session delivered to new recruits was well received, and feedback has helped refine the content. Sessions have already taken place in several locations, with more scheduled throughout the year. Engagement has been strong, particularly among participating watches.
Progress has also been made with ‘Active Bystander’ training. Additional sessions have been promoted internally to reach those who have not yet attended, with varied timings to support on-call staff. Many staff members have now completed the training, and more sessions remain available. Those unable to attend due to leave or shift patterns are being identified and prioritised for future sessions, including those for new starters. This training will continue on an annual basis, with full delivery to all staff expected by the end of 2026.
Status
On track
Area for improvement
The service should make sure it has robust processes in place to carry out equality impact assessments and review any actions agreed as a result
Action we have taken
The NFCC training on Equality Impact Assessments (EqIA) has now been completed, with nominated Champions across the service. EqIA guidance and a ‘How to’ guide has been created and is available to all staff via SharePoint.
Status
Complete
Area for improvement
The service should put in place an open and fair process to identify, develop and support high-potential staff and aspiring leaders
Action we have taken
Research planned by Learning and Development (L&D) is now complete. This involved reviewing National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) guidance and best practice from other fire and rescue services. A process and content document was developed, followed by consultation with representative bodies.
The consultation phase is now complete, and L&D is currently reviewing suitable training providers. This stage is expected to conclude by mid-July 2025. A final check against the NFCC product is underway, with the training programme scheduled to launch in October 2025.
Status
On track