Human Resources - Flint House: Police rehabilitation centre protocol (L1380)

1. Summary of changes

1.1. This protocol has been reviewed and updated in March 2026 to take account of a change to the attendance policy at Flint House (The Police Rehabilitation Centre), which now allows all serving PSE members to subscribe and obtain treatment.

2. What this protocol is about

2.1. This protocol aims to provide guidance and clarification to eligible police officers, retired police officers and staff members in certain roles in relation to attendance at Flint, based in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, or where appropriate the Police Rehabilitation Centre in Harrogate.

This protocol is not nor is it intended to be contractual.

3. Detail the protocol

3.1. Introduction
3.1.1. Treatments available at Flint House include:

• physiotherapy
• hydrotherapy
• stress counselling
• general nursing care
• acupuncture
• health classes
• sleep relaxation
• aromatherapy
• therapeutic massage

3.1.2. Other treatments are available but a cost may be incurred to the individual. Further details are available from the Flint House website.

3.2. Eligibility

3.2.1. Serving police officers are eligible to attend Flint House free of charge if they specifically donate to Flint House each month. Generally monthly donations are made via a salary deduction which is shown on payslips. Contact The Benevolent Fund office if you do not currently donate but wish to start doing so.

3.2.2. Retired police officers are able to attend Flint House if they meet the eligibility criteria set by the Flint House Trustees. This will involve the setting up of a direct debit directly with Flint House.

3.2.3. Flint House facilities are also available to any member of the Special Constabulary who chooses to subscribe on a monthly basis.

3.2.4. Those who have chosen to subscribe to Flint House will have the monthly donation deducted from their salary by payroll dept. Payments are collated by the Benevolent Fund office and passed in full to Flint House on a quarterly basis. The deduction for Flint house will appear on subscribing members payslips.

3.3 Attending Flint House whilst absent from work due to illness or injury

3.3.1. Individuals who attend Flint House whilst absent from work due to illness or injury should have a fit note from their GP for the period of their attendance at Flint House. The only occasion when this would not apply is during the first seven days of sickness absence when a fit note is not required.

3.3.2. Attendance at Flint House will be recorded as sickness absence. Any rest days falling during attendance at Flint House will not be re-rostered.

3.4. Attending Flint House whilst not absent from work due to illness or injury

3.4.1. Individuals attending Flint House do not have to be recorded as ‘sick’. divisional commanders, exigencies of duty permitting, will allow such individuals to attend Flint House.

3.4.2. In these circumstances, attendance at Flint House will be recorded on SAP as an authorised absence i.e. not as sickness absence.

3.4.3. Any rest days falling during attendance at Flint House will not be re-rostered. For officers invited for treatment at Flint House over a two week period, the middle weekend will be taken as rest days. Flint House is no longer open at weekends or on bank holidays.

3.4.4. Individuals will not be required to use annual leave in order to attend Flint House.

3.5. Admission process
All applications for treatment at Flint House are handled by a single e-application form available on the Flint House website.

3.5.1. The single application form now covers both physical and physiological injuries and is a self-referral form which does not require a verification signature from anyone within the force. You will however require a patient summery form completed by your GP or consultant in order for an appropriate treatment plan to be arranged with the Flint House treatment staff.

3.5.2. All completed application forms should be sent directly to Flint House.

3.5.3. Flint House will contact the officer with details of their booking and to discuss a treatment plan where necessary.

3.5.4. The officer must advise the force Resource Unit once they have an appointment date, so that their duties can be updated.

3.5.5. Flint House do not send update reports to Kent Police Health Services on any treatment received by the individual.

3.5.6 Travelling to and from Flint House is at the attendees own expense, no claim for any payment relating to treatment at Flint House should be submitted to Kent Police.

3.5.7 Eligible members of Kent Police Benevolent Fund who have subscribed to the fund for 12 months or more, are able to seek a contribution towards their travel costs through a travel grant from the fund. The 12 month subscription requirement is not applicable to those in their first year of their service.
Information on how to claim a travel grant can be found at para, 8.2.3 and 8.2.4.

4. Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)

4.1. This protocol has been assessed with regard to its relevance to race and diversity equality. As a result of this assessment, the protocol has been graded as having a medium potential impact.

5. Risk assessment

5.1. There is no specific risk assessment or health and safety consideration thought relevant to the content of this protocol.

5.2. Officers and members of police staff engaged within the process must remain aware that they must follow the protocol correctly otherwise the risk to the organisation of a possible employment tribunal could be raised. A failure to fully adopt the principles set out in this protocol could have a detrimental effect upon the reputation of the organisation.

6. Monitoring and review

6.1. The monitoring of this protocol will be by the Secretary of the Benevolent Fund.

6.2. The protocol will be reviewed within two years.

7. Governing force policy. Related force policies and related procedures (Essex)/linked standard operating procedures (Kent)

7.1. This HR protocol supports the overarching HR policy L1.

Useful links

7.2.1. For further information about all services provided by Flint House please see their website.

7.2.2. Direct link to application form for treatment is here: Get support today - Flint House Police Rehabilitation.

7.2.3. Letter from Benevolent Fund Secretary.

7.2.4. Application to the Benevolent Fund for a grant towards travel costs when attending Flint House.  

Contact the reception/admission team at Flint House on 01491 874499 for any specific questions regarding treatment and admission dates.