Integrity HSE has issued a reminder to employers that not all employees will welcome the festive season.
The HSE and training consultancy has highlighted that many find this time of year difficult, and may even require professional support. But, if an employer does offer access to mental health support, they have a legal duty to ensure it is competent.
Steven Harris, managing director of Integrity HSE, said: “I lost someone to suicide in 2019, and he was vocal about his daily challenges, and the fact they had been made worse by a therapist who had 'opened a box they couldn’t close'.
"If an employer is considering external support, they must ensure they are competent to close the boxes they open.”
Whilst Integrity HSE does offer these services, it understands that some employers may prefer to go direct. For that reason, Integrity HSE has shared a checklist that will go some way to helping an employer find a credible psychologist or psychotherapist to work with:
- Check your company insurance policies. Many will have prescriptive healthcare due diligence checks that you must follow, or you risk invalidating your cover.
- Check they are named on the Health and Care Professions Council database, or any register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. Links are below.
- The Health and Social Care Act 2014 asks healthcare professionals to have indemnity in place, so ask to see the insurance that covers the services they offer.
- Ask to be shown evidence of their CPD, including ‘supervised practice’, where their techniques are verified by a peer as current, effective, safe, and ethical.
- They should openly describe their methodology and cost. Transparency is part of their professional ethical standards, be cautious if they ask for prepayment.
These links allow you to check healthcare credentials for free: Check the Health and Care Professions Council and Check the Professional Standards Authority.
Performing some or all these checks will help you fulfil your legal duty as an employer. It will also help ensure employees can access the support they need to effectively address their health challenges this Christmas. To find out more contact enquiries@integrityhse.co.uk