FOI 480/26

Request

1. How many Special Constables does your force have?
2. Please could you break this down to per rank?
3. What provisions does your force offer for wellbeing support?
4. What is your policy on wellbeing for specials?
5. How many Special Constables have accessed your wellbeing support?
6. What has been you attrition of Specials in the financial years 2023/24, 2024/25, 2025/26?
7. Does your force have an exit strategy such as questionnaires/interviews etc for Special Constables? If so what is this?

Response

South Wales Police do hold information in relation to all parts of this request.

We have consulted with our Human Resources (HR) Department who have provided the following information.

Question 1 and 2

Question 3

Please see attached document ‘ What support is provided to police officers and staff updated April 2026.doc’.

Question 4

South Wales Police (SWP) do not have a “Wellbeing Policy”. Our wellbeing services are not intended to replace the NHS or the role of the GP in managing an individual’s health and wellbeing. SWP offers additional and tailored wellbeing support/services that reflect the specific challenges of policing and are based on the National Police Wellbeing Service priorities, which draws on best practice and evidence-based research.

SWP have a Wellbeing Strategy which has just been approved for 2025-2029. This states, “At SWP the wellbeing of our officers, staff and volunteers could not be more important to us. Policing is a role unlike any other. The “police family” is a diverse workforce with differing needs. To deliver this strategy we will continue to work collaboratively across the police family and with external partners.”

SWP have an integrated, in-house Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing (OHS&W) Service. This team deliver a presentation on the induction training programme for new Special Constables. Their presentation covers the Trauma Risk Incident Management (TRiM) process that is used within SWP and outlines the general wellbeing support available from the organisation for volunteers and also specific support for those involved in traumatic incidents in the course of their SWP duties.

SWP invest in a whole host of wellbeing measures to ensure volunteers are safe, healthy and supported while volunteering for the organisation. The 24/7 employee assistance provider VIVUP gives access to counselling, the blue light champions are able to offer a listening ear and signpost to support, and the counselling and trauma team will automatically follow up after incidents of a distressing nature or should the volunteer be assaulted. Staff support associations support and represent the needs, beliefs and values of volunteers.

Question 5

This information is not collected and therefore not held.

Question 6

Number of leavers:

2023/24 = 42

2024/25 = 33

2025/26 = 31

Question 7

There is no exit questionnaire specifically for special constables.