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  • NICS advice and support services

    Topics:
    • Working in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, 
    • Welfare support

    Sources of support currently available to all staff within NICS.

    NICS Sources of Support

    Welfare Support Service

    Welfare Officers can provide staff with confidential support when they are experiencing personal, domestic or work-related problems. Welfare Officers are trained in Mental Health First Aid and they are able to signpost to a range of other support services based on the needs of an individual.

    Telephone: 02890 251771 (Mon – Fri, 09:00 to 17:00)
    By email: welfare@finance-ni.gov.uk

    Employee Assistance Programme

    Staff can avail of support by contacting a free 24/7 helpline service, and one-to-one confidential counselling sessions are available to all staff who are experiencing difficulties. The programme is delivered by Inspire Workplaces and is completely confidential.

    Telephone: 0808 800 0002 (this is a free, confidential telephone helpline that is available anytime every day)

    • Inspire Website

    WELL Programme

    The WELL programme aims to improve the health and wellbeing of all NICS staff and incorporates support, education and information on a wide range of health and wellbeing issues. WELL work in partnership with the Occupational Health Service to provide a range of services including health roadshows and online information sessions to promote health and wellbeing. You can find out more about WELL events by visiting their website.

    • NICS Well Website

    NICSHR Learning and Development

    A wellbeing learning bundle has been developed providing direct access to a wide range of e-learning, online material and webinars for staff and line managers. This includes positive mental health toolkits, as well as resources which promote healthy remote working, developing personal resilience and coping with stress and anxiety. Click the LInKS application on your desktop to access these and other learning and development products.

    On your desktop: click the LInKS icon

    The Charity for Civil Servants

    The Charity for Civil Servants is your national charity that’s been there for you and other civil servants for the whole of your Civil Service career and will continue to be so for the remainder of your Civil Service career and beyond. From mental health struggles and relationship issues to getting through grief or coping with disability, the Charity gets it, and is there to provide help and support.

    The Charity can’t always prevent difficult things from happening in people’s lives. But when they do, they want you and your colleagues to know that your charity is here for you. When dealing with tough times, make the Charity for Civil Servants your first port of call.

    • Charity for Civil Servants website
    • Charity for Civil Servants help and support

    Download the NICS Sources of Support Flyer.

    • NICS Sources of Support Flyer

    More advice and support

    NI Direct website

    For further general advice, resources and information on how to take care of your mental health and wellbeing, please visit NI Direct:

    • NI Direct Coronavirus: Taking care of your mental health & wellbeing

    Public Health Agency (PHA)

    The PHA has published a leaflet 'Take 5 steps to wellbeing’ which offers tips on supporting your mental and emotional wellbeing while staying at home during the current COVID-19 outbreak. It sets out a practical framework around five steps - Connect; Learn; Be Active; Take Notice and Give. The leaflet can be found on the PHA website:

    • Read the Public Health Agency guide to looking after your mental health while you stay at home

    Related content

    • Benenden
    • Employee Assistance Programme
    • Role of the welfare officer
    • The Charity for Civil Servants
    • Welfare - meet the team
    • Welfare policy and procedures
    • What the Welfare Support Service can help with
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