Communications
The Hydrant Programme communications is made up of a Head of Communications and a Communications Lead, who provide strategic and tactical communications supporting the delivery of the Hydrant Programme Strategic Objectives. Hydrant communicates with a wide range of audiences both internal and external, working proactively to planned milestones and objectives, but with the ability to flex and react to emerging operational requirements.
The expertise of the communications team is drawn upon formally within the Peer Review and Peer Support function; attendance on Gold Groups for complex or highly critical incidents within a force; and informally by communications teams across UK forces seeking critical friend advice around developing or delivering communications strategies and activities for local child Protection and abuse investigations.
Environmental scanning
The environmental scanning function has been more vital than ever over the last 12 months, with policing placed front and centre in the highly emotive vulnerability narrative. The weekly environmental scanning document is produced by the Hydrant Programme communications team and is sent to over 400 stakeholders and partners from across the sector.
The Vulnerability Communications Hub
During 2020 Operation Hydrant provided communications support to the Tackling Organised Exploitation (TOEX) Programme and, at the end of the year the Vulnerability and Knowledge Practice Programme (VKPP) requested similar support. The decision was made to create a Vulnerability Communications Hub supporting all three programmes. The Vulnerability Communications was launched in July 2021. A Head of Communications oversees work across the three national work streams which are each supported by a Communications Lead. The programmes share many of the same audiences with overlap where key messaging and overarching strategic aims are concerned. Bringing the communications function together via the hub has ensured resilience and a coordinated approach, reduced duplication, generated efficiencies, and designed-in a more holistic approach, which is hugely beneficial from a national perspective.
Recruitment for the Hub resulted in two Communications Leads joining the team in July 2021 with the Head of Communications overseeing work across the three national work streams. The programmes share many of the same audiences with overlap where key messaging and overarching strategic aims are concerned. Bringing the communications function together via the hub has ensured resilience and a coordinated approach, reduced duplication, generated efficiencies, and delivered a more holistic approach, which is hugely beneficial from a national perspective.