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Counselling services for staff

Find out how to access our free and confidential counselling services.

There are times when we all need some extra support to balance the demands of everyday life. As a University, we recognise this and we offer employees access to free and confidential counselling services. Here you'll find out more about the services we offer and how you can access the support you need, when you need it.

Our counselling services offer support on a range of issues, including (but not limited to):

  • work-life balance

  • work and/or personal relationships

  • bullying and harassment

  • disability and illness

  • workplace pressure

  • anxiety and depression

  • stress

  • bereavement and loss

  • gender identity

  • sexual orientation

  • debt

  • careers

  • family issues

  • life events

  • addiction

Due to operational difficulties, our previous Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provider, RUH is no longer taking on any structured counselling. If you were in contact with RUH before 11 March 2024, you will still be seen. And anyone who is currently getting support from RUH will be able to complete their agreed sessions.

Going forward, Care first will be providing a full EAP service for all members of staff. This will include 'Counselling in the Moment' support, structured counselling where clinically indicated, access to telephone information services (at advertised hours) and through their web pages.

All services, whether through telephone or web portal are confidential and are subject to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) code of ethics.

Care first: Counselling in the Moment support

As an employee at Bath, you can access free and confidential help and advice whenever you need it. Care first offer in the moment support, with access to a team of professional counsellors 24 hours a day, free of charge.

Telephone counsellors triage all 'Counselling in the Moment' calls using a validated clinical model to determine whether or not structured counselling is clinically indicated. Where people are below the threshold for structured counselling, the counsellor will continue with in the moment support. These sessions last on average sessions around 40 minutes and are only delivered by trained counsellors.

They also provide practical support and information for debt and finance related issues − ranging from budgeting advice, to overspending, debt-management, borrowing and bills. And they offer a range of wellbeing services to support your emotional health, both at work and at home.

On their website you'll find information, answers and advice on a range of workplace and personal issues. As well as readily available resources, you can also speak to someone online or on the phone to get the help you need straightaway. The Care first online service provides translation into 150 languages, including the capability to provide live chat with trained counsellors and advisors in your preferred language.

Learn more about the services Care first offer.

Care first EAP services

If the need for structured counselling is identified, employees will be offered telephone, video or physical face-to-face counselling. The choice of provision type will generally be up to the employee and in the case of face-to-face counselling, Care first will endeavour to match people with a counsellor that is within reasonable travel distance of the employee’s home.

If a caller is identified as being above the threshold for structured counselling (i.e., they are in crisis and require support, then the Care first counsellor will work with the individual to support them to access more appropriate support.

How to get in contact

By phone

Call 0800 174 319.

Counselling is available 24/7. If you are calling for general information or advice, you'll need to call between 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.

Online

Visit carefirst-lifestyle.co.uk and enter the following details:

  • username: UOB001
  • password: Wellbeing456

Other services available

The Education Support Partnership is an independent counselling service. It is a charity that supports staff in higher education. They provide a 24/7 telephone and email helpline. You can contact them directly by phoning 08000 562561 or by emailing support@edsupport.org.uk. They can provide advice and support for a range of issues including those covered by the EAP.

Information about your contact with the Education Support Partnership is never passed on to the University.

Counselling services for students is provided by Student Support who should be contacted direct.

Enquiries

If you have any questions, please contact us.


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