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657145

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	hansard heading	Department of Health: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures his Department has in place to support those of its staff who have mental health problems.
	tabling member constituency	Faversham and Mid Kent
	tabling member printed	Helen Whately
	uin	57126
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2016 answer text <p>Civil Service Employee Policy provides a central health and well-being service to support departments in their well-being work.</p><p> </p><p>In 2015, the People Board agreed a strategic approach to health and well-being for the Civil Service. This identified mental health as a key priority. This strategic approach was developed into a Strategic Action Plan, which has now been successfully implemented.</p><p> </p><p>Support for individuals with mental health problems is provided by line managers and through the occupational health programme. Where appropriate, reasonable adjustments are made, to support the effective participation in work of people with longer term mental health problems.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Department has a comprehensive staff Health and Well-being Programme designed by staff, for staff. It has three themes:</p><p> </p><p>- preventing aims to reduce work-related ill-health at source - musculoskeletal issues and stress are key target areas;</p><p>- developing encourages development of competences and participation in physical activity to aid individual well-being and growth; and</p><p>- supporting signposts staff to sources of help and support.</p><p> </p><p>Specifically on mental health, the Department:</p><p> </p><p>- delivers two day Mental Health First Aid training courses in London and Leeds; and half-day Mental Health First Aid Lite courses;</p><p>- supports and promotes a network of Mental Health First Aiders;</p><p>- delivers Tackling Stress at Work courses using the Health and Safety Executive’s Management Standards framework;</p><p>- signposts staff to courses on mental health that are available through Civil Service Learning; and</p><p>- delivers an programme of events around World Mental Health Day in October, which this year included pledge boards across the Departmental estate and tea and talk sessions.</p><p> </p><p>The Department also provides access to an Employment Assistance Programme, which is advertised to staff via the intranet. It promotes The Charity for Civil Servants, whose services include a mental health helpline and signposts to MIND, the Samaritans and internal staff networks where staff can get help and assistance.</p> answering member constituency Warrington South answering member printed David Mowat question first answered 20/12/2016 16:33:54 answering member 4080 label Biography information for David Mowat
	tabling member	4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately

657033

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what measures her Department has in place to support those of its staff who have mental health problems.
	tabling member constituency	Faversham and Mid Kent
	tabling member printed	Helen Whately
	uin	57216
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2016 answer text <p>Civil Service Employee Policy provides a central health and well-being service to support departments in their well-being work.</p><p> </p><p>The Department provides information and support to help all employees to stay well and manage their health conditions at work. This support includes a variety of programmes like occupational health support, counselling support through the Employee Assistance Programme and the Civil Service workplace adjustments service which helps with adjustments for employees suffering from a mental health condition.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is a signatory to the Time to Change Pledge and raises awareness through national campaigns such as the “Time to Talk” day and the Mental Health Awareness Week.</p><p> </p><p>The Department supports the Employee Mental Health Network with a Senior Civil Servant Champion and has introduced Mental Health Champions who are trained to provide support and guide people towards appropriate professional help. The Network has had the visible support of the Department’s Permanent Secretary and at DCMS Ministerial level.</p><p> </p><p>The Civil Service Unconscious Bias training is mandatory for all employees and the Department is working with line managers to support individuals with mental health conditions, part of which is encouraging line managers to undertake Mental Health Awareness eLearning.</p> answering member constituency Reading East answering member printed Mr Rob Wilson question first answered 20/12/2016 14:59:40 answering member 1556 label Biography information for Mr Rob Wilson
	tabling member	4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately

656989

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Attorney General: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what measures the Law Officers' Department has in place to support those of its staff who have mental health problems.
	tabling member constituency	Faversham and Mid Kent
	tabling member printed	Helen Whately
	uin	57221
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2016 answer text <p>Civil Service Employee Policy provides a central health and well-being service to support departments in their well-being work.</p><p>In 2015, the People Board agreed a strategic approach to health and well-being for the Civil Service. This identified mental health as a key priority. This strategic approach was developed into a Strategic Action Plan, which has now been successfully implemented.</p><p> </p><p>The Law Officers’ Departments provide all staff with access to an Employee Assistance Programme. The service is confidential and includes a 24hours a day, 365 days a year free helpline. Staff can speak to an advisor who will listen and help to explore ways forward on a range of issues including mental health– this can include information, advice, signposting to other local or national services, referral for telephone or face-to-face counselling, or a combination of these. All departments have developed arrangements and policies that support wellbeing, including flexible working and special leave arrangements.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 20/12/2016 17:01:34 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately

657032

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Department for Communities and Local Government: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what measures his Department has in place to support those of its staff who have mental health problems.
	tabling member constituency	Faversham and Mid Kent
	tabling member printed	Helen Whately
	uin	57215
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2016 answer text <p>Civil Service Employee Policy provides a central health and well-being service to support departments in their well-being work.</p><p>In 2015, the People Board agreed a strategic approach to health and well-being for the Civil Service. This identified mental health as a key priority. This strategic approach was developed into a Strategic Action Plan, which has now been successfully implemented.</p><p>Wellbeing is a key part of the DCLG People Plan. The Plan sets out the Department's strategic commitment to establish and maintain good health amongst staff in the business. The commitments and actions linked to wellbeing are delivered jointly by the Department's Human Resources directorate and the Health and Wellbeing Network.</p><p>Specific support for staff within DCLG with mental health problems includes:</p><ul><li>Mental Health First Aid training. So far over 100 members of staff including have received the MHFA training.</li><li>A listening and support service through a Mental Health Ambassador Network which is made up of over 30 MHFA trained staff from across the business.</li><li>A Mental Health Support Group that encourages staff experiencing poor mental health or who are caring for someone with a mental health illness to meet to share experiences and resources and to offer each other support and advice.</li><li>Mandatory Mental Health Awareness training for all staff using the Civil Service Learning portal.</li><li>Internally designed and delivered Mental Health Awareness workshops - over 200 staff have received the training so far.</li><li>Internally designed and delivered Building your Resilience workshops - over 150 staff have received the training so far.</li><li>Delivery of 'whole department' events such as Time to Talk, Break the Stigma and World Mental Health Day designed to raise staff awareness of the support they can access and to breakdown the stigma associated with mental ill health.</li><li>A contracted Employee Assistance Programme (Help) which gives staff free and immediate access to support on all matters relating to health and wellbeing, including crisis support to individuals and their line managers. The EAP also provides a gateway to more specialist and professional medical services.</li><li>Occupational Health Service referrals which are aimed at obtaining medical advice on how to support a colleague’s health and well-being either whilst off sick, in returning to the workplace and/or at work</li><li>Access to a range of support tools through the Wellbeing Zone.</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Nuneaton answering member printed Mr Marcus Jones question first answered 20/12/2016 17:03:09 answering member 4024 label Biography information for Mr Marcus Jones
	tabling member	4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately

657287

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Department for Work and Pensions: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what measures his Department has in place to support those of its staff who have mental health problems.
	tabling member constituency	Faversham and Mid Kent
	tabling member printed	Helen Whately
	uin	57139
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2016 answer text <p>DWP is committed to creating an environment with parity of esteem for both mental and physical ill health; where mental health can be discussed honestly and openly without fear of discrimination.</p><p>The Department holds the status of Mindful Employer and is also a disability confident employer.</p><p>All staff and Line managers have access to comprehensive support via Occupational Health, Employee Assistance Provision, The department also has membership with organisations offering employees access to a wealth of practical advice and support on all aspects of disability, including mental health.</p><p>Mental health remains a top priority under the new departmental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, ‘Working Well Together’, fully endorsed by Debbie Alder, executive level Disability, Health and Wellbeing Champion.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 20/12/2016 10:51:11 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately

657208

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Department for International Development: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what measures her Department has in place to support those of its staff who have mental health problems.
	tabling member constituency	Faversham and Mid Kent
	tabling member printed	Helen Whately
	uin	57128
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2016 answer text <p>Mental health is a key priority for DFID and we are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our staff in line with commitments set out in both the Civil Service Talent Action Plan and the Health &amp; Wellbeing Strategic Action Plan. We support staff through a range of measures.</p><p>DFID is based across two sites in the UK – in England and Scotland. We support both the “Time to Change” campaign (in England) and SeeMe in Scotland to end the stigma associated with mental health and raise awareness through supporting Mental Health Awareness Week. We have also recently launched a series of products on personal and team resilience and we promote the Civil Service e-learning to expand staff and managers knowledge of mental health issues.</p><p>DFID’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offers Telephone and Face to Face Counselling for all staff experiencing mental ill health across our global workforce. The service also provides a wide range of online information and advice on work/life issues.</p><p>DFID’s HR teams and Occupational Health Services provide support and advice for staff and managers to ensure a successful return to work after a period of mental ill health.</p><p>DFID also has a Listening Network, an informal peer staff network, to complement the help already available.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stockton South answering member printed James Wharton question first answered 20/12/2016 12:59:04 answering member 4123 label Biography information for Lord Wharton of Yarm
	tabling member	4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately

657094

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what measures her Department has in place to support those of its staff who have mental health problems.
	tabling member constituency	Faversham and Mid Kent
	tabling member printed	Helen Whately
	uin	57140
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2016 answer text <p>Mental wellbeing forms a key theme in Defra’s employee Wellbeing Framework. The framework provides a structure for the Department to actively promote staff wellbeing, with a particular focus on reducing the incidence of stress and mental ill-health, while increasing awareness and empowering individuals to raise issues at an early stage. Our proactive approach to supporting staff with mental ill-health includes:</p><p> </p><ul><li>reducing stigma around mental health and stress</li><li>offering a wide range of e-learning packages and classroom training for managers and employees on mental health related topics</li><li>promoting our Employee Assistance Provider</li><li>empowering and providing budget for our employee-led staff network called Break the Stigma to support colleagues with stress or mental-ill health</li><li>ensuring Line Managers have the resources, capability and skills to support individuals with mental ill-health. This includes robust attendance management guidance which advises early referral to Occupational Health.</li></ul> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 20/12/2016 11:30:26 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately

657005

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Cabinet Office: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what measures his Department has in place to support those of its staff who have mental health problems.
	tabling member constituency	Faversham and Mid Kent
	tabling member printed	Helen Whately
	uin	57214
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2016 answer text <p>The Cabinet Office is committed to helping its employees experiencing mental health problems and has a range of support services in place.</p><p>The Cabinet Office has signed up to the Time to Change pledge on mental health and our Employee Assistance Programme provides online support, counselling and a 24/7 telephone service.</p><p>Our Occupational Health Service helps line managers support employees with their mental health. The Department has also established a Listening Service, a confidential helpline resourced by staff who have been trained in active listening and emotional support.</p><p>The Department provides access to training for example in mindfulness and resilience. Cabinet Office staff are also supported by the central well-being service and staff networks (such as the WorkWell group and disability network), and the Department takes part in awareness campaigns.</p><p>The Cabinet Office provides a central well-being service to other departments including:</p><ul><li>supporting the Civil Service Health and Well-being and Disability Champions to meet the ambitions in the Talent Action Plan and the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper;</li><li>providing policy and manager guidance to support the return to work of those with a mental health illness;</li><li>central messaging in support of events such as World Mental Health Day;</li><li>raising capability through Civil Service Learning training materials;</li><li>supporting individuals with mental health-related workplace adjustments;</li><li>equipping caseworkers to deal with complex mental health issues; and</li><li>sharing and developing best practice.</li></ul><p> </p> answering member constituency Ipswich answering member printed Ben Gummer question first answered 20/12/2016 09:07:28 answering member 3988 label Biography information for Ben Gummer
	tabling member	4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately

657068

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Department for Education: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what measures her Department has in place to support those of its staff who have mental health problems.
	tabling member constituency	Faversham and Mid Kent
	tabling member printed	Helen Whately
	uin	57218
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2016 answer text <p>The Department for Education has an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan, which is updated annually. The plan includes a section on support for people with mental health problems, and to help people to manage staff with mental health problems.</p><p> </p><p>Support provided includes mental health awareness training and an employee assistance service which staff can call at any time to obtain confidential support and advice.</p><p> </p><p>In September 2014, the Permanent Secretary signed the Time to Change pledge to affirm the Department’s commitment to ending stigma about mental health. The Department also has an active Wellbeing network, with over 100 members, which has promoted events to raise awareness of mental health issues.</p><p> </p><p>In early 2017, mental health first aiders will be available in each of the Department’s buildings and will receive training to help them recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems and offer appropriate support. They will also act as a source of advice and help for staff.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 20/12/2016 17:22:29 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
	tabling member	4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately

657363

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	answering body	Department for Exiting the European Union
	answering dept id	203
	answering dept short name	Exiting the European Union
	answering dept sort name	Exiting the European Union
	hansard heading	Department for Exiting the European Union: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what measures his Department has in place to support those of its staff who have mental health problems.
	tabling member constituency	Faversham and Mid Kent
	tabling member printed	Helen Whately
	uin	57141
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2016 answer text <p>The Department for Exiting the European Union is committed to ensuring staff with mental health problems do not face any barriers to success. The Department has two dedicated disability champions and an equalities network to provide support. We are also in the process of introducing training for a number of our staff to enable them to become mental health first aiders. The Department is putting plans in place to ensure the steps established in the 2016 Talent Action Plan are in place in order to help the Civil Service become the most inclusive employer in the UK.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 20/12/2016 14:18:49 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately