Proposed changes to the current care regime
ARMY
For the Army this is covered in both the Learning
Account and DOC—all Learning Account actions are complete.
See Ev 364-8.
NAVY
Many improvements were underway prior to the
DOC report:
(a) An improved, more rigorous academic Recruit
Test.
(b) Pre-joining Fitness Test. The Pre-Joining
fitness test was introduced in July 2003 as a result of FOTR'
s earlier work on the Wastage Action Plan (WAP).
(c) Holdovers (ie those who are awaiting
Phase 2 Training) have been reduced. During 2003 the figure was
in excess of 100—concerted efforts were made to reduce this
figure, which resulted in a drop to 13—circa 0.72% of those
borne on Untrained Strength.
(d) Holdover Divisions have existed in HMS
Collingwood, HMS Sultan and HMS Raleigh since before the publication
of the DOC report. However, in order to deliver consistent training
to those on holdover, a single Holdover Division for pre Phase
2 trainees will be established from September 2004.
(e) Improved ship visits and other links
with the front line. Aspirations to provide a ship visit during
Phase 1 and Phase 2 are dependent on the availability of assets—during
Op Telic opportunities were minimal. However, agreement has now
been reached for a weekly visit to ships (each course to get one
ship visit during Phase 1 training) undertaking operational sea
training off Plymouth.
(f) Earlier transfer of documentation between
Phase 1 and 2 Establishments. In the past, some trainees were
arriving at Phase 2 before their documentation. Personal reports
and details of their performance during Phase 1 training at HMS
Raleigh are now being transferred to Phase 2 prior to the individual
arriving.
(g) Phase One (Initial) Train the Trainer
Package. A recommendation of FOTR's WAP was to identify the personnel
most suitable for employing as instructors and to provide a formal
course to be taken before instructing. Local arrangements were
made to provide training in Instructional Techniques. From September
2003 these courses have been expanded to include instructional
techniques, first aid, pastoral care, life skills, mentoring and
outdoor leadership certification, and are run every four months.
RAF
No major changes are being made to current RAF
care regimes in training. However, there is a process of continuing
improvement. These have included implementation of the tri-Service
initiatives that have resulted from consideration of the DOC Audit
into Initial Training (eg supervision and remedial training guidelines).
Additionally, in the past year, the RAF has strengthened supervision
(two RAF Sergeants and eight RAF Corporals staff the RAF Halton
Airmen Development Flight (ADF) which were established in response
to the DOC Audit) and ensure the useful employment of airmen holding
between Phase I and 2 training (trainees do so on the ADF and
are required to follow a formal programme of personal development
and general Service training) and has issued guidance to units
on links with trainee's parents.
Work in progress at the moment includes a re-examination
of guidance on the care of under 18-year old trainees and assurance
audits on the care regimes in the newly formed Defence Training
Establishments.
Resources have not been made available in STPO4 for
a number of duty of care initiatives:
Trainee Mentoring. RAF Cosford has successfully
piloted a scheme in which trainees on long courses (over six months)
with no single, through-course supervisor/officer were allocated
a trained mentor. It was our wish to extend this scheme to all
long courses. £8.4M was bid for under the STPO4 DOC Audit
heading which would fund approximately 40 additional staff, but
was not forthcoming. We are now examining the possibility of re-brigading
existing instructor staff to provide a degree of mentoring for
long courses.
Trainee Visits. The DOC Audit of Initial
Training recommended that trainees visit the front line during
training. Many RAF courses did undertake such visits; we bid for
£2.622M to include visits to (or, where that was impracticable,
from) the front line on all initial training courses. Again, we
are now examining how this aspiration can be met within current
resources.
Improvements to trainee recreational facilities.
A HQ PTC audit of RAF training units identified minor improvements
to the trainee facilities at some RAF units (eg non-alcohol bars,
Internet facilities) and bid £0.51 8M but were unsuccessful.
Improvements will now be undertaken, where possible, by self-help
whereby Units will carry out local improvements on an opportunity
basis as and when existing funds allow.
A historic overview of how policy and implementation
have developed since 1988. Comment on why frequent reviews in
the Army have had only limited impact on practice over this period,
and on what steps have been taken to ensure that implementation
of lessons identified is now put into place. Any evidence that
implementation is now taking place, and who is accountable for
implementation, or the lack of it.
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