New support service for UCL staff

Staff with practical problems or emotional issues are invited to use a new, independent and confidential service.

UCL has launched an employee assistance programme (EAP), in line with its Human Resources Strategy, to enhance the Occupational Health, Counselling & Mediation Service's support for the university's staff.

"The EAP's introduction comes from the recognition that anyone may face unexpected problems from time to time, at home and at work," said Angela Franklin, Occupational Health Services Manager. "For the most part people find ways to deal with such problems, but life can be made less complicated by immediate and confidential access to sources of information and support, to help address problems before they get out of hand."

The EAP service - which is also available to the family members of UCL staff - gives support and guidance on any practical or emotional issues. It is provided by a leader in this field, EAR Accor Services (EAR), which has operated EAPs in the UK since 1981. Experienced, professionally qualified counsellors and information specialists are available to answer calls on a Freephone number 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The information specialists can resolve most day-to-day issues and will call back within the day if they do not have particular answers to hand.

After problem assessment, it may be appropriate to offer some form of counselling rather than or as well as responding with information. In these cases the call will be passed to a counsellor, who will be able to assist in finding the resources to help individuals cope, whatever the issue. Following the assessment, staff may be referred to the UCL counselling service or family members to community counselling services.

EAR is independent of UCL. Its staff follow the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy Code of Ethics & Practice and are bound by the Data Protection Act. Statistics provided to UCL about service usage do not in any way identify individuals or their problems. Contact EAR free and in confidence, 24 hours a day, every day (0800 243 458; ear@accorservices.co.uk) or 8am-10pm weekdays and 9am-5pm weekends (01895 237 071).

An EAR specialist could help with any problem. For example:

• you find out one of your children uses drugs
• your spouse asks for a divorce
• your grief over a parent's death just won't go away
• an unexpectedly large bill has arrived and you can't pay it
• you have problems with noisy neighbours
• you have problems at work and feel you have no one to confide in
• your extension was half built when the builders went out of business
• you want information on pensions and your finances
• you don't know which mortgage would suit you best
• you need some information on a consumer or legal issue
• your workload is getting you down and you need to talk to someone about it.

To find out more about the service, use the link below.

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Link: Occupational Health Employee Assistance Programme