Question
To ask the Chief Constable what the process is for referral of an officer when they require counselling i.e., Can they self-refer and if not why not?
Answer
The referral process to in-person counselling for police officers and police staff are via Line Manager referral on the E-Services system. This is then triaged by an Occupational Health Nursing Adviser and actioned to the relevant internal OHW team – in the case of counselling this is the Mental Health Services Team. They undertake a review to determine which therapy service is most appropriate including counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Clinical Psychology. There are waiting times for all of these services.
Rapid-access self-referrals can be made by any officer or police staff directly to the Employee Assistance Programme via direct contact with OHW’s contracted provided INSPIRE. This does not require the Line Manager to be aware or to make the referral. This is an entirely self-referral process with no identifiable information being provided from INSPIRE to OHW, with the exception of safe-guarding protocols where there is an identified risk of harm to self or others identified.
Cathal Boylan - Sinn Féin