Employee Support Line
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Welcome to Esl

Counselling and Support for Employees
 

What is esl?

esl is a confidential counselling and support service provided by trained, experienced counsellors. It provides face-to-face counselling and is available throughout Hampshire.

Who can use esl?

Anyone who works for the County Council can use esl, whether working full-time, part-time, casually or as a volunteer. Whatever the issues you feel you need support with - work related or not - you can contact esl.

Can I use esl if I work for another public authority/organisation?

esl is also available to staff of other authorities / organisations who have contracted to use the service. If you are unsure if your organisation has contracted into esl your personnel department will advise you.  The following organisations have been contracted with the esl service:

Is there a charge?

No, the service is funded by your organisation.

When and where is support available?

Various venues across the county are available to esl.  When and where you meet with a counsellor will include consideration of your needs which will be discussed with you when you contact the service. 

Is it really confidential?

Matters you discuss with us will not be passed to anyone outside of the esl service.

Please click below for detailed information on the Employee Support Line Policy Statement on Confidentiality and Record Keeping with you at your first meeting.  Your counsellor will have a copy which will be discussed with you at your first meeting.

esl does keep confidential written records to enable us to properly manage your case. These records are carefully protected to ensure that no-one else has access to them. The only exception will be where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others. In the rare event that we do disclose information this will be done where possible with your consent and then only to those that need to know.  If you wish to have a copy please ask your counsellor or contact the esl office.

Details of the records kept by esl and your right of access to them are given in this policy  statement. The policy statement also explains the exceptional circumstances when it may be necessary to breach confidentiality.

esl counsellors are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and as such are bound by the Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

esl's policy on confidentiality and record keeping is guided by the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy code and the Data Protection Act 1998.

What support is available?

esl can provide counselling and support for a wide range of  issues.

What you can expect from esl

At your first appointment you and your counsellor will agree the number of sessions (usually a maximum of six).

Counselling sessions are usually weekly, at the same time on the same day and with the same counsellor. Appointments may be adapted as necessary. Your counsellor will discuss this with you.

In the unlikely event that your counsellor is unable to keep an appointment you will be contacted.

If you wish to continue with longer term counselling beyond the six sessions your counsellor will give you information about other agencies.

If a new issue arises in the future you may contact esl again.

What esl expects from you


Once counselling begins we ask you to please keep your appointments.

Cancelled appointments create a delay for others wishing to meet with a counsellor.

If you do have to cancel an appointment for reasons outside your control please contact us as soon as possible by calling 023 8062 6606. Your counsellor will discuss notice requirements with you at your first session.

Evaluation of the service

Your counsellor will give you an evaluation form at your first appointment. It will be really helpful if you would complete this and return to us at the end of counselling.

Every form that is returned is used in evaluating and improving the service.  These forms are anonymous.

Venue

The place where you meet with your counsellor has been carefully chosen to maintain confidentiality and your anonymity. Your counsellor will explain where you will meet in order to minimise contact with others. If you feel at all uneasy about the venue your counsellor will be happy to discuss this with you.

Please browse this website for further information about the service.

Alternatively you can contact the Employee Support Line Manager.

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