Psychological Screening

Psychological screening is an assessment used for roles that are considered high risk. This additional screening applies to new candidates being considered for an applicable role, or existing employees moving into such a position. It will form part of the required medical clearance.

All roles that require Psychological Screening will have it clearly documented on the position’s role profile. Should you be successful at being offered a role that requires psychological sccreening, this will occur as part of the pre-employment checks stage of recruitment.

Purpose of psychological screening

The primary aim is one of support; a means of safeguarding your health and wellbeing. We understand that the nature of some roles can be extremely emotionally demanding. As an organisation we have a duty of care to provide support to those undertaking these roles.

Psychological screening is used across many police organisations as a supportive measure to ensure the wellbeing of our staff in their roles and to ensure that timely intervention is given to assist those and keep them in their role.

Initially it involves a set of online questionnaires which help us to understand your resilience and your ability to deal with the emotional demands of a high-risk role. From your responses we can gain a better insight into how you deal with certain situations and also what your coping levels are currently.

There are some personal questions and we understand that it may be uncomfortable for you to answer them. We assure you that these questionnaires are highly confidential and are not shared with any other areas of the organisation. The questions are based on medically validated psychological screening, to give an accurate snapshot of how you are at the time of filling in the questionnaires.

The Psychological Screening Team will review your results. You may be invited for an assessment with one of the Psychological Screening Team to explore things further. It is essential you are honest with us in the meeting and in the questionnaire as it provides us with valuable information as to how we can support you if you need it.

The outcome of the screening will form part of your overall health clearance decision.

All information is kept and stored securely. These are counted as medical records and are kept under the same legal requirements. No-one outside of the Psychological Screening Team (within the occupational health & wellbeing function) will have access to the content of any information you provide.

What if someone doesn’t complete the screening?

This process is mandatory for roles that have been assessed as requiring screening. If someone chooses not to complete the questionnaire or attend a requested assessment with one of the Psychological Screening Team, the Occupational Health & Wellbeing Team will be unable to provide the organisation with any evidence of their fitness to undertake their work.

Further information, including requesting a copy of the force’s psychological screening policy, can be obtained via the psychological health surveillance mailbox: psychscreeninghiowc@hampshire.police.uk

External support can also be accessed via your GP