Support Line / Employee Assistance Programme

Our helpline is a fantastic first step if you find yourself struggling. It offers you support 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Your call will be answered by a qualified and experienced counsellor, who is ready to listen and provide guidance. You do not need to inform your manager before you make the call. Simply quote Staff Care Services, provide your school’s name, your date of birth and postcode. The counsellors will make sure you get the right support as quickly as possible, including directing you to further emotional, legal or medical guidance.

You may prefer the anonymity of a text rather than talking to someone directly. Support Line, in partnership with Shout, provide a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for our annual Support Line customers. This service is available to all staff and their pupils Our text service provides immediate support for all types of mental health challenges, taking people who are struggling to cope to a place of calm every day of the week.  To text anonymously to a trained volunteer, any time, day or night, all you need is a mobile phone, access to one of the UK’s major mobile networks and our unique keyword. Posters will be available in your organisation highlighting our keyword. If you don’t know what it is, please contact us at supportline@staffcareservices.org.uk

Feeling in control of your own health and wellbeing is an important protective factor. However we often can lack insight that we are unwell or struggling when it comes to our overall health. The Wisdom App allows you to track your wellness, improve your mental health and stay resilient during tough times. Annual Support Line customers can download the Wisdom App through a unique organisation code. (Please ask your organisation for your unique organisation code). Live Chat also allows you to contact a dedicated wellbeing counsellor using live messaging and video calls.

Annual Support Line customers can access digital cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) programmes. If appropriate, to proceed with online CBT, you will be provided a dedicated programme and information via email. Available on desktop, mobile, and tablet, the SilverCloud platform is user friendly, engaging, and hosts over 30 support programmes. Programmes cover Wellbeing, Mental Health and Chronic Health. They are designed to manage specific symptoms, feelings and behaviours and equip you with effective solutions.

Annual Support Line customers can access a tailored cognitive behavioural therapy programme for people experiencing menopause symptoms. Across several modules you will explore topics such as managing thoughts and beliefs, stress, lifestyle, sleep and self care .

Annual Support Line customers can access (where appropriate) an online programme with specifically designed trauma focused modules. Digital Trauma support can be used as an early intervention tool or as a blended care option for clients to support trauma-focused intervention. It is delivered in online modules which can be completed at the client’s own pace.

For many people, talking through issues with a trained counsellor can significantly help relieve some of the pressure and help them find a way forward. Counsellors are not there to tell you where you went wrong or even offer advice, but they will help you to work through your own problems, in your own way. Counselling sessions are available to our annual Support Line customers. Counsellors will work with a member of staff for up to a maximum of seven sessions. Members of staff also have the option to sacrifice their full set of sessions and gift these to either a spouse or child ( 16 years old or over) who resides at the same address as them.You may be directed to our structured counselling after having a conversation with a qualified counsellors via the helpline. You can also self refer to the service. There are no barriers or triaging in place that will prevent you accessing this support.