We are grateful for all the feedback we received through the consultation, all of which has been considered. We have provided an explanation and rationale for the changes made in the table below.
Approved Standard
Take a look at the Fire Standard that was published following your feedback to the consultation.
Consultation
DESIRED OUTCOME
| You Said | We Did |
|---|---|
| When outlining the role and expectation of leaders, it was not clear on whether this was in reference to senior leaders or leaders at all levels. | The term “leaders” was expanded to make clear that in this context, the standard is referring to all leaders. |
| It should be made clear that although there should be accountability from leaders in respect of upholding the Core Code at a personal and setting a positive culture (aligned to the Core Code) at an organisational level, it should also be made clear that employees have a personal responsibility to uphold the Core Code. | The last paragraph of the Desired Outcome was amended to reflect this. |
WHAT IS REQUIRED TO MEET THE FIRE STANDARD
| You Said | We Did |
|---|---|
| Coaching is another valuable way to ensure all employees understand their responsibilities in upholding the Core Code of Ethics. (See Point 3) |
Whilst it was agreed that coaching is a valuable way to support employees with their understanding, it was felt that coaching was covered under the term “training and support”. A link to the NFCC Coaching and Mentoring portal has been included to encourage services to consider this as another route to support employees. |
| To support employees in their understanding of their role in upholding the Core Code of Ethics, it would be helpful for services to provide them with meaningful and practical examples of what this might look like. (See point 3) | The Fire Standard was revised to reference the provision of practical examples of what upholding the Core Code of Ethics might look like. |
| The fire authority as opposed to the service should adopt the Core Code of Ethics and demonstrate that the service is committed to fulfilling it. | The Fire Standards Board is responsible for delivering Fire Standards to fire and rescue services in England. It does not have the authority to request fire authorities to adopt the Core Code of Ethics. |
| We feel that the changes limit service autonomy to have developed and used their own Values & Behaviour that align with the Code of Ethics with their staff. |
Since the introduction of the Core Code of Ethics, it is understood that fire and rescue services have faced challenges in aligning the Core Code with their own values and behaviours and services across the country have taken different approaches to ensuring they can achieve this. To support those services who continue to use the Core Code of Ethics alongside their own values, we revised the standard to accommodate this: “Demonstrate how the Core Code is embedded into its decision-making, policies, procedures, processes and aligned with its own local values, if applicable” |
| The change of focus in the Governance requirements to scrutinise strategies policies and plans in such detail as this could impact on operational independence. |
It was agreed the proposed amendments went beyond the role of the governing bodies. This section was revised to give more emphasis that governing bodies should seek assurance from services that they have adopted the Core Code of Ethics. |