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The Hydrant Programme is part of the National Police Chiefs' Council supporting forces across England and Wales.

The Metropolitan Police Service provides HR support to Hydrant which is why vacancies are progressed via their website.

Click here to view current vacancies 

The Hydrant Programme is a national policing programme, hosted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

The programme was originally established in 2014 to coordinate the response to non-recent child sexual abuse, but now supports forces across all child protection and abuse investigation issues.

Hydrant develops policy and strategy on behalf of the NPCC, develops and delivers best practice advice including a learning, review, and improvement function, provides a strategic analysis capability and partnership engagement with key stakeholders and partners.

The Hydrant Programme and NPCC are hosted by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and are subject to their recruitment policies and procedures. The MPS is a Disability Confident Committed Employer and is committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

• Hybrid role working opportunities.
• Flexible working.
• Flexi-time, within agreed parameters, established by line managers.
• Family friendly policies.
• Variety of Police Staff Support Networks that provide information and opportunities to share experiences as well as offer advice and support to members.
• The option of joining a Staff Association, enjoying the benefits this brings.
• Continuous Professional Development, and training opportunities.
• 28 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 5 years of service.
• The choice of joining the civil service pension schemes.
• Excellent sick pay, maternity leave, and other forms of leave.
• Access to the Blue Light Card which allows access to many discounts.
• Employee Assistance Programme, a confidential service, available 365/24/7, free of charge. Providing support and guidance to help you manage your work and personal stressors, as well as support you through lifestyle changes.

The Hydrant Programme team is currently established of around 20 individuals in a variety of roles, and we are set to expand in 2025/6. Our staff come from a wide range of working backgrounds, some are retired police officers, some come from other police staff roles, some from the third sector, and some the private sector. All staff are currently on fixed term contracts (FTC’s), with funding provided by the Home Office. Current FTC's run to the end of financial year 2026, this is reviewed annually. The Hydrant Programme has been funded on this basis since 2014.

Roles are specifically designated as Homeworker/Hybrid Homeworking/Hybrid Rota, the designation will be made clear on the advert. We have team members located nationally, allowing the Programme to support police forces in England and Wales..

Team members employed in a hybrid or hybrid rota role work from our office in Sheffield. This is based in a South Yorkshire Police building, The Hydrant Programme has its own floor equipped with our own toilets and kitchen.

Some roles can involve large volumes of national travel. This requirement will be made clear in the advert for relevant vacancies. You will be reimbursed for travel and subsistence in line with Metropolitan Police Service Police Staff terms and conditions.

The team meets approximately every 6 weeks. These are a great opportunity for the team to spend time together and for management to provide us with key updates.

We try to make the team meets fun and an opportunity to learn something new, so in the last 12 months we have:

• Had a first aid training session from St John Ambulance.
• Participated in activities at Rother Valley Country Park such as stand-up paddle boarding and go-karting.
• Learnt about how we can all optimise our personal LinkedIn accounts.
• Had a session from a sleep specialist.
• Learnt about optimising your mental and physical resilience.