Appendix 4

Staff support services

Shropshire Council is committed to a positive approach to protect, and where possible, improve the health and welfare of our employees.

Counselling

Shropshire Council offers a confidential counselling service for employees. This is currently operated by Network of Staff Supporters (NOSS) who can be contacted directly on 01978 78 0479 to arrange an appointment.

For qualified teaching staff, the Educational Psychology Service offers specialist counselling and can be contacted directly on 01743 25841.

Occupational Health Service

Occupational Health Services will provide medical advice, reports for consideration on various health, safety and wellbeing initiatives. Occupational Health also provide a number of support leaflets for employees and managers.

Managers can contact the Occupational Health (OH) team at any point, during or after an employee’s absence for advice on any reasonable adjustments as a way of supporting employees. This includes seeking advice during the early stages of any stress related absence or as a preventative measure.

Advice can be sought from the OH team at any stage if a medical opinion is required by completing an OH Referral Form.

You can contact Occupational Health on 01743 252833 or email Occupationalhealth@shropshire.gov.uk.

Physiotherapy

If musculoskeletal issues are causing pain and affecting your ability to carry out your role then the option for physiotherapy can be considered. This is actioned with a management referral to Occupational Health. An appointment for the individual is arranged in Occupational Health so an assessment to ensure the suitability of this treatment can be carried out. The Occupational Health advisor then organises the referral for physiotherapy. Please note that this is based at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and encompasses a total of three sessions. There is a charge to management for this service (approx. £60 for the three sessions).

Additional services

Additional services are offered by Shropshire Council in order to prevent, where possible, absence from work. Occupational Health also offer other services which can be tailor made to meet the needs of the manager and employee. Here is a list of the additional services available:

  • Stress audits
  • Pre-employment health assessments
  • Ill-health retirement
  • Statutory health surveillance
  • Hand arm vibration
  • First aid courses
  • Audiometry
  • Spirometry
  • Working at heights
  • Night-shift working
  • Immunisations
  • Hepatitis B
  • Seasonal flu

Further advice

A number of Shropshire Council teams offer advice on health, safety and wellbeing at work: