Support Line

SL with Shout Article

Prioritising your health and wellbeing, 24 hours a day

When you are struggling, asking for help is never easy. What works for one person, may differ from the next person. At Support Line, we celebrate these differences.

Support Line offers a whole school/organisation approach - covering staff, pupils and governors - to supporting health and wellbeing. Through our partnership with Shout and Health Assured, we also provide a confidential, text messaging and telephone support service, both of which operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You don’t have to wait for things to build up and importantly support remains in place outside of working hours when many support services are closed. Alongside our text support, any member of staff who may benefit from further professional support can also access their own structured counselling sessions.

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24/7 Phone support

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.

24/7 Text support

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

Wellbeing App

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.

Digital Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

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.

Menopause Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

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 .

Digital Trauma Support

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.

Support Line Counselling

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.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Support Line

What types of problems can Support Line help me with?

• Stress related issues
• Difficulties in personal, work or family relationships
• Problems arising from redundancy or reorganisation at work
• Loss or bereavement
• Depression or anxiety
• Team or group problems
• Drink or drug issues.

Who can access Support Line counselling?

Counselling sessions are available to all members of staff. Counsellors will work with staff for up to a maximum of seven sessions. Members of staff also have the option to gift their full set of sessions to either a spouse or child (16 years old or over) who resides at the same address.

Is the service really confidential?

The short answer is ‘Yes, the service is really confidential’. Our counsellors abide by the British Association for Counselling Code of Ethics and Practice, which specifies a rigorous code on confidentiality. Support Line operates a self-referral system. It is therefore up to you, whether you share if you are receiving counselling or not.

Do I have to tell my manager?

No - you do not have to tell your manager anything. However, if you feel that your situation is impacting heavily on your work, you may decide to inform your manager. You may also need to inform your manager if you require time out of your working day to attend a meeting with your counsellor, although you do not need to give specific details. Some counsellors are able to offer appointments at the end of the working day, if preferred.

How will I receive support?

We are able to provide telephone, virtual or face to face sessions.

Who can access the 24/7 Text Support?

Everyone in your organisation. This includes all your staff and if you are a school, this also includes all your pupils. All an individual needs to start an anonymous conversation is access to a mobile on a UK mobile network and our unique keyword.

Why would someone choose to text SHOUT instead of structured counselling?

There are many reasons why people may get in touch with Shout. Not everyone requires structured counselling, or for some they need that immediate support. Some people may prefer the anonymity of a text and the flexibility to reach out for support at any time of the day. The Shout 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. It maybe you would benefit from both Shout and our structured counselling. If that’s the case, that’s ok, you have access to both as part of our annual Support Line service

Are Governors included?

Yes. The role of the governor can be both hard work and incredibly rewarding. However, like any position of leadership or governance in education, it comes with its own pressures and as a volunteer role the impact on the individual can be overlooked.

At Staff Care Services we have always strived to ensure everyone involved in supporting the success of a school is helped along the way, recognising how important but also how stressful the role of the Governor can be.

As a full contract Support Line customer, your Governors get access to a range of mental health and wellbeing support FOR FREE.

They are entitled to access

Our 24/7 telephone line which offers emotional, legal and medical advice

Our 24/7 text support
Our wellbeing app which provides a library of digital wellbeing and mental health information.

Please note the counselling element of the service is not available to your Governors, free of charge. If you would like to support your Governor with a counselling referral please contact Support Line on 0330 124 994 option 2.

Feedback from Support Line customers...

“ I never thought of counselling as something I would benefit from – but I was proved wrong. I found it very empowering. ”

“ The service made me feel supported and able to persevere through difficulty. ”

“ Without this service I would have needed a lot more time off work. ”