We are all faced with painful situations at times and feel unable to cope on our own.
esl provides a confidential opportunity to meet with a counsellor and can help you to feel more in control of these situations, decide on a course of action and support you to take this action.
esl is available to all employees of Hart District Council.
Click here for more detailed information about esl.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
- What is employee support line?
- Who can use employee support line?
- Is there a charge?
- When and where is support available?
- Is it really confidential?
- What support is available?
- How do I get support?
What is employee support line?
esl is a confidential counselling service proivided by trained, experiences counsellors. It provides face-to-face counselling and is available throughout Hampshire.
Who can use employee support line?
Anyone who works for Hart District council can use esl. Whatever the issues you feel you need support with - work related or not - you can contact esl.
No, the service is provided free.
When and where is support available?
When and where you meet a councellor is confidential and will be arranged where possible to suit both of you. Various venues across the county are available at varied times.
Matters you discuss with esl will not be passed to anyone outside of the esl service.
esl does keep confidential written records to enable them 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 they do disclose information this will be done where possible with your consent and then only to those who need to know.
Your counsellor will discuss Confidentiality, Record Keeping and the Law with you at your first meeting.
esl can provide counselling and support for a wide range of difficulties which include:
- stress at work or home
- relationship difficulties at work or home
- violence / aggression / harrassment
- financial worries
- bereavement / lossalcohol / substance abuse
- critical incident debriefing
- panic attacks / phobias
- illness of self / others
- gender issues
Click here for a more detailed list.
If you would like to speak to a counsellor you should contact the 24 hour helpline on (023) 8062 6606 or send a confidential e-mail message to: eslhelp@hants.gov.uk.
The helpline co-ordinator will be available to take your phone call in person at most times from Monday to Friday during working hours.
At all other times there is a 24 hour ansaphone; leave your name and telephone numbers (including codes) where you can be contacted during the day and the evening. E-mail and ansaphone messages are usually picked up at least once a day and they will get back to you the same or the next working day, and definitely within a week.
When they speak to you they will ask for information which will help them to match their service to your needs as closely as they can. If you are not available, any messages they leave will not identify them as a counselling service.
All information is recorded within the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
- 24 hour helpline: (023) 8062 6606
- e-mail: eslhelp@hants.gov.uk
