Confidential Counselling Service

At the first contact with Staffcare, usually through the Careline, each caller is given a brief explanation of how the service works, including a reminder of the number of face-to-face counselling sessions that are available. This number is pre-arranged with us at the time of establishing the contract. Issues of confidentiality are discussed as this is often a major concern for would be users. Staffcare then contacts one of the counsellors on the basis of expertise appropriate to the identified needs of the client, geographical location and the Counsellors availability to provide the counselling sessions that will be required.

The counsellor allocated to the referral will contact the client within 24 hours, and arrange a meeting within 3 working days of the first contact. Where appropriate, this may involve a meeting outside normal office hours. Clients are all given written information on the counselling process and the contract that exists between counsellor and client.

Staffcare is essentially a short-term service. Where a major difficulty occurs which cannot be addressed appropriately in the contracted sessions, discussion takes place between the client and the counsellor as to how they can gain access to further intervention. Where a client has a past psychiatric history or is receiving medication, contact may be made with the Medical Practitioner, with the permission of the client, to ensure a continuity of care.

In a small number of cases an extension of some additional sessions may be sought. Such situations could be the anticipated return to work after bereavement, disciplinary proceedings, illness or injury and where the client has been involved in bullying or harassment in the workplace. Counsellors must justify such a request to the Staffcare Manager who will assess the situation and if appropriate make contact with the key person identified by the client organisation to approve such a limited extension. The confidentiality of the client is not compromised in such negotiations.

« Back to Services