We are committed to creating and promoting a positive environment where our people feel confident to be open about mental health issues.
Get personal support
Employees who want help managing stress or any other mental health issue can use our Wellness Action Plan or contact our confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Programme is a health and wellbeing benefit available to you as a Barnardo’s employee. It gives you immediate access to a variety of confidential services including telephone and online counselling.
You can speak with qualified experts about a range of issues, including:
- stress
- relationship difficulties
- bereavement
- anxiety
- family worries
- alcohol/drug abuse
- legal issues
- financial concerns
You can also arrange up to six face-to-face counselling sessions following an initial telephone consultation.
The 24-hour telephone number is 0800 030 5182 or email counsellingadvice@healthassured.co.uk (minicom facilities can also be requested via the email address).
EAP has a new partnership with SilverCloud; a digital platform hosting over 30 cognitive behaviour programmes to support you with wellbeing, mental health and chronic health by helping to manage symptoms, feelings and behaviours. For more details, download the poster below.
Health Assured EAP app: Wisdom
You can access the Health Assured EAP for Barnardo's via a new app on your mobile phone or tablet. Go to your app store and download the ‘Wisdom’ app for free which can help you track your wellness, improve your mental health and stay resilient.
The variety of support and wellbeing resources at your fingertips include: interactive mood tracker, four-week health plans, mini health checks, breathing techniques, live chat with counsellors and videos.
View more information and app FAQs in the documents at the bottom of this page.
You can find the login details in the mental health and wellbeing Workplace group.
Online support
You can get support online on the Wisdom website which includes programmes, articles and webinars and a monthly newsletter to support your health and wellbeing. You can find the login details in the mental health and wellbeing Workplace group.
You can download our EAP guide for managers below. There's also an EAP wallet card you can download so you know how to get in touch if you need to.
Manager Referral
In addition to the self-referral process, managers can also refer employees to the EAP for support if required, with the employee’s consent. Further information on manager referrals, including a link to the online referral and consent form, can be found here.
Wellness Action Plan (WAP)
Our Wellness Action Plan process is a person-centred tool to help you monitor and manage your own mental health and any distressing symptoms and set up a structure for discussing this with your manager.
It can also be used as a tool for introducing and discussing the topic of mental health and wellbeing in a team setting.
Access to Work Mental Health Support Service
The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service is a free confidential mental health support for stress, anxiety, depression, low mood and much more.
You can access this service if you are located in England, Scotland, and Wales and*:
- are a paid Barnardo's employee or an as-and-when worker (working or signed off sick)
- have a mental health condition, diagnosed or undiagnosed, that has resulted in workplace absence or making it difficult to remain in work.
You can access dedicated non-clinical support from a mental health specialist for up to nine months who can provide a wellbeing plan, coping strategies, workplace adjustments and practical advice and guidance tailored to you and your needs.
For support, you can call 0300 456 8114, email atw@maximusuk.co.uk or chat with a specialist advisor online using the purple chat button via the Service webpage, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
*Please note that this service is not available in Northern Ireland. Barnardo's continues to develop the health and wellbeing offer for colleagues in this region.