Increased support for Falkirk’s Social Work Staff
Registered Social Workers in Falkirk can now access a new professional support service from the Scottish Association of Social Work.
The service, funded by the Scottish Government, offers a space to talk and think through any personal or professional issues they may be facing through free peer support. Social workers who want to support their peers can register to become volunteer coaches themselves and receive training in coaching and mentoring.
Registered social workers can learn more about this new support offering by visiting the SASW website: https://www.basw.co.uk/social-work-professional-support-service
All staff working in Falkirk’s health and social care services can access support from a range of resources, including:
Free coaching sessions
In addition to the SASW service for registered social workers, all health and social care staff can access free coaching through the National Wellbeing Hub.
Employee Assistance Programme
You can contact the Employee Assistance Helpline 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. The helpline offers counselling and advice on a variety of personal, family or workplace issues. The service is provided by a professional organisation, Wellbeing Solutions Management and there is no cost to you.
Calls are confidential. Simply call 0800 171 2181, or book a telephone appointment at www.employeeassistance.org.uk, with access code ‘Falkirk’
The Employee Assistance Programme posts regular wellbeing newsletters and information on the Falkirk Council website.
Workplace Chaplaincy Service
Providing a listening ear, Chaplains help staff experiencing bereavement and depression, and can support overall positive wellbeing. Chaplaincy support is available either by phone, email or by video link. Further information is available on the Council’s employee pages.
Mental health and wellbeing support
The National Wellbeing Hub. www.nationalwellbeinghub.scot , provides a range of self-care and wellbeing resources, including access to ‘Coaching for Wellbeing’ and digital ‘apps’ to help with anxiety, worry and sleep.
The National Wellbeing Helpline (0800 111 4191), provides a 24/7 compassionate listening service to health and social care staff and offers advice, signposting, and onward referral to local support services where required and with a caller’s consent.
The Workforce Specialist Service is a confidential multidisciplinary primary care led mental health service for regulated health and social services professionals. You can access the Service through the National Wellbeing Hub at www.nationalwellbeinghub.scot/the-workforce-specialist-service-wss/
Resources for managers
All Social Work Managers are encouraged to access Psychological First Aid resources on the NHS Education for Scotland training website, Turas.
Project Lift is an ambitious whole-system approach to enhancing leadership capability and capacity in Health and Social Care in Scotland. It is open to staff of all levels, in all roles and at all stages of their development. Resources to support teams can be found at www.projectlift.scot
In addition, the Council has a Wellbeing Group chaired by the Chief Executive where support and services for staff is the main agenda item.
Additional information
Further information and resources can be found on Falkirk Council’s wellbeing intranet site or Scotland’s National Wellbeing Hub for those working in Health and Social Care, www.nationalwellbeinghub.scot