UPDATED: 29th November 2006
![[The University of Leicester]](../staffwellbeing/images/unilogo.gif)
STAFF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
STAFF COUNSELLING AND WELFARE SERVICE HOME
House K
Freemen’s Common
Welford Road
Leicester
LE2 6BF
Telephone:
Staff Occupational Health:
0116 221 2461
Staff Counselling & Welfare:
0116 223 1702
Email:
Staff Occupational Health Staff Counselling & Welfare
Some of you may know that my last day at the University was 20th November 2008.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the colleagues who have helped make my time here enjoyable and interesting; I have learnt many things during my tenure, not least of which is the importance of a Service such as the one I have been priviledged to be part of. I am sure the Service will continue to go from strength to strength and would urge all of you who have thought of contacting it to do so as I know the really good work that goes on here.
The Staff Welfare Service aims to support staff in achieving an effective balance between work and personal issues.
Our policy can be found on the Personnel webpages.
Mary Hill
Staff Welfare Officer
The service holds a range of information and advice which can be accessed on a confidential basis on a wide variety of issues including the following;
Information to assist in the search for accommodation, including rental agencies, average rents, council tax bands, deposits, tenancy rights & agreements, things to remember when house hunting.
Please click here for the Staff Accommodation Guide
Other useful information can be found on www.leicester.gov.uk and www.leicesterletting.co.uk
Confidential one to one appointments are offered where a broad range of work related problems can be examined. The service (upon agreement by client) can liaise with departments, trade unions and outside organisations to provide practical help and support and, where appropriate intervention. Referrals may also be made to other agencies and departments for further advice and assistance; e.g. Occupational Health, Safety Services, Counselling Service, Equal Opportunities Team, Staff Development, Benefits Agency.
A selection of the most relevant benefit leaflets are held by the Service and the Welfare Officer comes from a Welfare Rights background. If required, assistance can be given for the completion of benefit applications and any subsequent responses. Further information is available on www.dwp.gov.uk.
A discount of 35% is available from BUPA on its private medical insurance plan. This is available for all employees of the University of Leicester. For further details click here
Please click here for information on The Campaign for Care Vouchers Supporters Update May 2008
Please click here for further information on the Carers' Group
The arrangements for emergency leave provision for those with a caring responsibility can be found within the Terms & Conditions booklets on the Personnel Website. Other useful information can be found at www.carers.gov.uk.
Childcare:
Childcare Vouchers - The University offers a childcare voucher scheme to all staff which is administered by Busy Bees. The scheme enables parents to sacrifice a portion of their salary to be paid in child care vouchers. Savings are made on tax and national insurance contributions, full details of the scheme can be found in the parent pack availableby clicking here.
Please click here to see the benefits.
or contact Busy Bees directly. Free phone 08000 430 860.
Information is available regarding nursery facilities in Leicester and Leicestershire which are approved by the relevant councils, further information can be obtained from:
www.childcarelink.gov.uk,
http://www.childbase.com/home/default.asp.
http://www.daycaretrust.org.uk/
Out of school holiday provision in the area is also available upon request.
Maternity:
Maternity arrangements are coordinated by the relevant division of Personnel from which more information can be obtained. A maternity pack detailing rights, benefit entitlements and the University Maternity Leave Scheme is available from the Staff Counselling & Welfare Service. Further information can be obtained from www.dwp.gov.uk, www.forparentsbyparents.com, www.maternityalliance.org.uk.
Information for Parents is available in the personnel guidance on parental, maternity and paternity leave arrangements included in the terms and conditions of employment booklets, which can be accessed on the personnel website. Other useful information can be obtained from www.leicester.gov.uk, www.eoc.org.uk, www.childcarelink.gov.uk.
A range of information is held on schools in the area, from nursery provision to selecting a secondary school. Whilst advice cannot be given on the merits or otherwise of any particular school, publications to inform individuals of their choices are held, including performance tables and independent schools information. Further useful information can be obtained from www.dfee.gov.uk, www.leicester.gov.uk,. www.leicestershire.co.uk.
The University offers a confidential counselling service to members of staff who wish to seek help in respect of personal difficulties that have arisen as a result of their work, or that are having a significant impact on their ability to perform their duties. Advice and guidance is also offered for staff who have concerns about their students, see Student Counselling for advice and guidance about students or other staff whom they manage or supervise. Training sessions are provided on stress management, and any other aspects of staff welfare and development such as, assertiveness and team building. Further information can be obtained from Staff Counselling.
The University is committed to supporting staff and job applicants with disabilities. Personnel can make practical arrangements for interviewees and arrange for workplace adjustments. Further information can be obtained from the Equal Opportunities web pages.
The University has a number of equal opportunity policies which together form the basis of active opposition to all forms of discrimination. The University of Leicester aims to ensure that students and staff are treated solely on the basis of merit, ability and potential, regardless of gender, gender-r-assignment, disability, colour, ethnic or national origin, age (subject to retirement conventions), sexual orientation, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief, political beliefs, family circumstances and trade union membership.
In line with the University’s commitment to the provision of equal opportunity, a range of policies giving detailed information and advice are available on a confidential basis from the Equal Opportunities Team or the Personnel website. Further useful information can be obtained from www.eoc.org.uk, www.cre.gov.uk, www.drc-gb-org/drc.
All equal opportunities policies apply to, and must be adhered to by University staff, students, visitors and contractors. The University’s equal opportunities policies are available on paper from the Equal Opportunities Team or online at the personnel webpage.
Titles as follows;
The University has a firm commitment to address issues of harassment or bullying in the workplace. Confidential advice is offered to individuals who require support and guidance in seeking satisfactory conclusions to the issues raised. The Staff Counselling and Welfare Service provide support, assistance in tackling issues and investigating concerns of harassment and bullying. The Service provides training to staff members responsible for addressing these issues at departmental level. Further information can be obtained from Staff Counselling and Welfare and www.eoc.org.uk.
Staff with health concerns are advised to seek treatment from their General Practitioner, athough the Staff Welfare Officer can advise on an individual and confidential basis about health issues affecting work. She may make referrals to The Occupational Health Service, Safety Services Team and Equal Opportunity’s team if appropriate. Further useful information can be obtained from www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.
Please click on the underlined subjects below for further information:
The Staff Counselling and Welfare Service contributes to induction sessions run by the Staff Development Center. The Service can assist with individual support for members of staff new to the University and the area. Copies of the “Guide to the University for New Staff” can be obtained from the Personnel website. Other useful information can be obtained from www.goleicestershire.com or www.leicester.gov.ukwww
A number of courses on welfare and equality issues are run through the auspices of the University’s Staff Development Centre. Courses can be arranged at departmental level. Enquiries should be made to the Staff Development Centre in the first instance. Training is also available for managers and supervisors to gain a clearer understanding of their role and responsibility around stress and management and to carry out stress risk assessments. To find out about these courses go to Staff Development.
National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux- the Staff Welfare Officer holds information on the local branches of the Citizens Advice Bureaux and other advisory agencies in the Leicester and Leicestershire area and will be happy to help staff to access this information. Further useful information can be obtained from www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
The Community Legal Services commission have a range of leaflets that can be obtained free of charge by calling 0845 3000 343, or by email [email protected] or online at: www.clsdirect.org.uk
Please see the dedicated page Complementary Therapies on this site.
Fitness:
At the University, the Sports and Social Clubs are a major component of our clubs and societies and staff are welcome to take advantage of the many facilities on offer, often at discounted prices.
A comprehensive Sports and Recreational handbook is available from the
Staff Counselling and Welfare Services or click here for further details of the Sports Centres and Facilities, Health and Fitness Clubs and Sports Association.
Diet:
The leaflet “where to eat and drink on campus” is available from the Staff Counselling and Welfare Service.
Students, staff, visitors and members of the public are assured a “warm and friendly welcome”, when they avail themselves of the catering service on campus.
There are twelve food outlets ranging from take away to the carvery restaurant. Click here for further details.
If dietary needs are not currently catered for, contact the manager of the catering services on [email protected] to discuss the matter.