What is SORP?

SORP is a model that enables forces to gain a detailed understanding of both current and future demand and supply. By establishing the current policing demands and workforce supply and projecting how this may vary in the future, forces are able to make more informed workforce decisions. From this they are able to carry out a gap analysis which will generate information to assist the understanding of where the most significant staffing gaps are, when they are likely to occur and the level of effort required to close the gaps. Essentially it will help forces to consider a range of possibilities and proactively plan ahead, before being forced into action by circumstance.

What are the benefits of doing SORP?

• The NPIA has a skilled field team that will train and support force project teams to assess their workforce plans using the SORP model, thus embedding skills and knowledge into the force
• Whilst working with Norfolk Constabulary, we found that through effective demand analysis and consequent re-alignment of staff within the response function, the force could release 142 (fte) staff to other duties, around 1/3 of their current response strength
• The same force has enhanced absence management and increased supply by the equivalent of 17 (fte) members of staff - a non-cashable saving of £350,000 per year. In addition, understanding supply better could remove 61 double-counted posts from officer establishments, a cut of around half.

The Workforce Planning Team are now working with other forces e.g. Gwent Police, as part of the NPIA's Cost Effectiveness Programme.

You can keep up to date with developments in Workforce Planning by joining the Cost Effectiveness community on POLKA.

Or you can contact the Workforce Planning team by e-mailing Customer Support or calling +44 (0) 203 113 7387.