Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our Employee Assistance Programme. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, we’re just a conversation away.
What is Safe Harbour’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Safe Harbour's EAP provides confidential counselling and wellbeing support for your employees. It is designed to offer early intervention when personal or work-related issues begin to affect an employee's wellbeing, attendance or performance.Unlike many larger providers, we're a local, relationship-led service. We take the time to understand your organisation and offer responsive, professional support that is tailored to your workforce.
What services are included?
We recognise that people's wellbeing can be affected by a wide range of personal and professional challenges. Our aim is to provide timely, professional support, helping employees access help before difficulties begin to have a greater impact on their wellbeing or working life.
Our EAP includes:
- Confidential one-to-one counselling
- Clinical supervision for groups - a professional, confidential space to share information and concerns
- Support for both work-related and personal issues
- Signposting to additional services where needed
The level of support is agreed with your organisation and can be adapted as your needs evolve.
Why should our organisation offer an EAP?
Every organisation depends on its people. Whether they're supporting vulnerable communities, serving customers, driving innovation, or delivering day-to-day operations, employees perform at their best when they feel supported, valued and able to access help when they need it.
People can only support others effectively when they feel supported themselves. Whether your organisation is delivering services in the community, working towards social impact goals, or operating in a commercial environment, providing access to timely support helps employees stay healthy, resilient and engaged.
Supporting employee wellbeing isn't simply an investment in your people - it's an investment in your organisation.
Employees who receive support early are more likely to remain engaged, productive and resilient, helping to reduce the impact of stress, anxiety and other personal challenges before they become long-term absences. Research consistently demonstrates that organisations investing in employee wellbeing benefit from:
- Reduced absence
- Improved productivity and performance
- Higher employee engagement and morale
- Better staff retention
- Smoother and more successful returns to work
The financial case is equally compelling. Government guidance also highlights that wider workplace mental health initiatives typically return around £4.70 for every £1 invested, with the greatest benefits achieved through early intervention.
At Safe Harbour, we believe the greatest value comes not just from providing counselling, but from making support accessible before problems escalate. Our local, flexible approach means employees can access help quickly, while your organisation benefits from a service that genuinely understands your needs.
Who is covered?
The programme is available to employees of your organisation. We also understand that many organisations rely on a mix of employees and volunteers. Where appropriate, we can discuss flexible arrangements that reflect the structure of your workforce.
How is the service accessed?
Employees can seek support privately and independently, without needing to discuss personal issues with their manager or employer. They can access the service directly by completing a confidential self-referral form via the Counselling for Social Change website.
Following referral, a member of our team will contact the employee to arrange an appointment. This allows employees to seek support independently while maintaining complete confidentiality.
How is confidentiality maintained?
Confidentiality is at the heart of effective counselling. All counselling is delivered in accordance with the ethical framework of a Professional Standards Authority registered body and current UK data protection legislation. No information discussed during counselling is shared with the employer. The only exceptions are where there is a legal or ethical duty to act, such as where there is a significant risk of harm to the individual or another person.
What reports will we receive?
We understand that organisations need evidence that their wellbeing investment is making a difference, while employees need confidence that their privacy will be protected.
Reports may include:
- The number of counselling sessions available
- Referral arrangements
- Reporting requirements
- Review dates
Our flexible approach means we can provide a solution that is both affordable and effective, recognising that every employee's circumstances are unique.
What comunication materials are provided?
Introducing the service effectively is an important part of helping employees feel confident about accessing support. So we provide a range of promotional materials to help employees understand and access the service, including:
- Digital information for staff
- Posters and promotional materials
- Employee FAQs
- Referral guidance
- Support with launching the programme across your organisation
Our aim is to make accessing support straightforward and free from stigma.
How do we measure success?
We work with you to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme using a combination of:
- Employee feedback
- Wellbeing outcome measures
- Anonymous usage data
- Organisational wellbeing surveys
- Bi-annual review meetings
Our goal is to ensure your investment continues to provide measurable value for both your employees and your organisation.
What happens if an employee is in crisis?
While Safe Harbour is not a crisis service, we take concerns about immediate risk seriously and will work to ensure individuals are directed towards appropriate emergency or specialist support as quickly as possible. Services such as…Where an employee requires immediate support, we will signpost them to appropriate NHS services, 24-hour crisis helplines or the emergency services.
However, the purpose of an EAP is early intervention. By providing employees with timely access to professional support, we aim to reduce the likelihood of issues escalating into crisis and support a quicker recovery where difficulties do arise.
Who will be our main point of contact?
We believe that wellbeing support works best when it's built on trust, responsiveness and genuine relationships.
Your dedicated contacts will be Lisa, Maria or Clayton.
One of the benefits of working with a smaller provider is that you'll always know who you're speaking to. We believe strong relationships make for better partnerships, so you'll have direct access to people who understand your organisation and can respond quickly when support or advice is needed.
Employees will continue to access counselling confidentially through the Counselling for Social Change website, ensuring privacy while giving your organisation confidence that support is readily available.
Why choose Safe Harbour rather than a national provider?
As a local provider, you'll know who you're working with, have direct access to named contacts and receive a service that's responsive, flexible and personal.
Do you understand the pressures our people face?
While it can be incredibly rewarding for employees to care deeply about what they do, it can also lead to stress, emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue or burnout.
Our service provides a space where those supporting others can receive support themselves.
Will employees trust and use the service?
Providing an EAP is only valuable if employees feel comfortable accessing it. We work with organisations to introduce the service clearly and sensitively, helping staff understand that support is confidential, professional and available before problems become overwhelming.
Employees are more likely to seek help when they trust the service, understand how it works and know that their privacy will be respected. We work with organisations to communicate the service clearly, helping employees understand how to access support and what they can expect.
Can managers access advice if they’re concerned about a member of staff?
Managers are often the first to notice when someone may be struggling, but may feel unsure how best to help. We can support organisations with guidance on having wellbeing conversations and signposting employees to appropriate support
How do we know our employees will be treated with care and professionalism?
All counselling is delivered by professionals who work within recognised ethical frameworks. We are committed to providing a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space where employees can explore challenges openly and receive appropriate support.
Our approach is based on respect, confidentiality and recognising the unique circumstances of each individual.
What if I need Urgent Support?
Neither Counselling for Social Change or the Safe Harbour Project is unable to offer emergency support. However there are other places to turn to in an emergency. Please check out our Urgent Support page for more information.