| answer text |
<p>In full recognition of the challenging aspects of prison-based work, His Majesty’s
Prison and Probation Service is committed to providing a range of formal and peer
led mental health support for prison staff. Modes of support offered include self-referral
to counselling via a 24 hours and 365 days a year confidential telephone helpline
and self-referral for online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Management led referrals
are routed to the Occupational Health (OH) provider where assessments and feedback
on fitness for work or work adjustments are relayed back to the manager with employee
consent. OH assessments are conducted by qualified specialist nurses, doctors and
mental health clinicians. For work related trauma management, face to face or virtual
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing therapy
(EMDR) is offered if clinically appropriate. OH also offers a Post-Covid 19 syndrome
service which provides structured mental health support as well as physical support.</p><p>
</p><p>Proactive mental health support, by the means of ‘Reflective Sessions’ is delivered
by a third-party provider and mental health qualified practitioners. Reflective Sessions
take the form of individual or group sessions at either HMPPS or supplier premises.
The sessions aim to both reduce the likelihood that staff will experience adverse
effects as a result of working on programmes with offenders or high-risk cases, and
to increase the likelihood of the experience of positive effects as a result of this
work. A wide range of mental health promotion proactive wellbeing workshops are also
offered and delivered either via Teams or in person in prisons.</p><p> </p><p>Peer
support groups include Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) practitioners, Care Teams and
Mental Health Allies. Chaplains are also well-established to provide mental health
support to prison staff and prisoners alike.</p><p> </p><p>Employee wellbeing apps
are available to be downloaded on mobile phones and tablets which provide up to date
guidance, support and signposting to a range of employee physical and mental health
support services.</p><p> </p><p>In September 2020, working in collaboration with the
Samaritans and the Zero Suicide Alliance, HMPPS introduced a staff self-harm and suicide
prevention campaign, Reach Out, Save Lives. Backed by the Lord Chancellor, the campaign
drives a consistent message about reaching out to support one another and seeking
assistance and aims to impact and challenge cultural norms around a publicly sensitive
topic.</p><p> </p><p>HMPPS Occupational Health and Employee Assistance policy and
the Post Incident Care policy are in place to support staff.</p><p> </p><p>A comprehensive
section on Stress Risk Assessment is available on the employee intranet Health and
Safety site. Guidance includes a stress toolkit designed for both employees and managers.</p>
|
|
