Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service moves out of Engage process

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has reported that Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has returned to the default phase of monitoring, known as Scan.

The change follows a revisit by inspectors in January 2025 which found that the service had taken action to resolve previous causes of concern.

These concerns, identified during a 2023 inspection, related to the service’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and its ability to prioritise risk in protection work.

HMICFRS moved the service into the Engage process on 22 November 2023 due to concerns about its progress since the previous inspection.

Inspectors found at that time that the service had not made enough progress in addressing earlier recommendations.

Causes of concern issued in 2023 inspection

The causes of concern were first raised during the Round 3 inspection between May and June 2023.

The equality, diversity and inclusion concern highlighted limited progress since 2021 and the need for better engagement with under-represented groups, improved data collection and targeted recruitment strategies.

A second concern related to the protection activity of the service.

HMICFRS said the service needed to provide clearer direction to its teams to prioritise work based on risk.

Inspectors recommended actions including a revised inspection programme and stronger quality assurance processes.

An earlier concern regarding prevention activity was closed in November 2024.

HMICFRS reviews progress and closes causes of concern

According to HMICFRS, a revisit took place between 12 and 17 January 2025 to assess whether the service had addressed the remaining issues.

Inspectors noted that Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service had introduced governance and leadership changes, including new roles focused on people and culture, and had launched staff networks to support internal communication.

Roy Wilsher, His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, said: “We are pleased with the progress the service has made in addressing our recommendations on equality, diversity and inclusion. We have now closed this cause of concern.”

On protection, the service had revised its risk-based inspection programme and improved its auditing processes.

It also introduced new support roles and increased business engagement.

HMICFRS stated: “We are confident that staff accept the improvements and that these will be sustained.”

HMICFRS confirms return to default monitoring phase

The return to the Scan phase marks the end of the additional scrutiny associated with Engage monitoring.

The default phase means that HMICFRS no longer considers Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to require enhanced oversight.

The service is expected to continue tracking progress against areas for improvement highlighted in the 2023 inspection and maintain momentum on reforms already underway.

HMICFRS returns Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to default monitoring: Summary

HMICFRS has confirmed that Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has exited the Engage monitoring process and returned to the default monitoring phase, Scan.

The decision follows a revisit in January 2025 which confirmed that the service had addressed causes of concern raised during a 2023 inspection.

These included concerns about the service’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion, and how it prioritised protection activities according to risk.

The service introduced an action plan, leadership and governance changes, new staff roles, and improved internal processes to meet HMICFRS recommendations.

The cause of concern relating to prevention had already been closed in November 2024.

The equality, diversity and inclusion concern was closed after the January 2025 revisit.

The protection concern was also closed following evidence of improved risk-based inspection processes and staff engagement.

The monitoring change was confirmed by His Majesty’s Chief Inspector Sir Andy Cooke and detailed in a letter dated 7 March 2025.