WHO WE ARE
VCA Ltd is a team of Occupational & Organisational Psychologists specialising in Fire & Rescue Services. Since 2002, we’ve helped Fire & Rescue Service’s recruit, develop and support leaders at all levels, from firefighters to Chief Fire Officers, for wholetime, green book, control and on-call staff. We provide assessments for Fire & Rescue Service employees who want to progress through leadership roles, for example from crew member to watch manager, up to Strategic Manager/ Leading the Service level.
We focus on practical, affordable, fair, and evidence-based solutions that make a real difference, for individuals, teams, and your organisation.
WHAT DRIVES US
OUR SERVICES
Firefighter Recruitment – “Putting Values First”
Helping FRS’s recruit candidates who truly embody your values. Fair, valid, and designed to reduce time and costs, and improve usability.
Career Progression Gateway (CPG)
We work with over 28 FRS clients to deliver interactive assessments for promotions and leadership development. Identifies strengths, growth and development needs whilst streamlining succession planning.
Developmental Feedback & Coaching
One-to-one sessions to explore strengths, improve wellbeing, and develop leadership skills. Practical, personalised, and immediately useful.
Team Support Workshops
Short, psychologist-led group sessions to boost confidence, improve collaboration, and strengthen leadership behaviours in a practical and relatable way.
Best Practice Research
Evidence-led and collaborative insights to guide decisions on leadership, diversity, and succession planning.
HOW WE WORK
- 1Assess – Using interactive, online evidence-based tools.
- 2
Feedback – Practical insights and development guidance.
- 3Develop – One-to-One coaching or team workshops.
- 4
Support – Ongoing guidance to strengthen leadership and wellbeing.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
The exercises used from VCA have been realistic and relevant to a modern day fire and rescue service. Access to complete the materials online has been simple and easy to navigate. It has been a pleasure working with VCA to trial and develop the new materials based on the NFCC Leadership Framework.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) have recently completed their 2025 Wholetime Firefighter online assessments. Having the online assessments focused on the softer skills such as values, behaviours and beliefs was a new approach for the Service, but one that was in line with their Service values and the national Coe Code of Ethics. The Values Questionnaire and Community based Simulation exercise worked well, and HWFRS were supported well throughout the process by VCA.
The process has been very smooth from my perspective. Everyone has been so helpful, so thank you for that. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending using your company in the future.
