Rightsteps offers bespoke

management training packages,

a combination of education,

proactive solutions and guidance

on managing individuals suffering

from the most commons forms of

mental health conditions

Employers’ guide

What is Rightsteps?

Rightsteps Wellbeing reduces the risk of absence among employees suffering from the most common forms of mental ill-health including stress, depression and anxiety. It provides evidence-based, work-focused interventions which are fast, cost-effective and jointly meet the needs of both the employer and employee.

Affecting an estimated one in six workers in England and Wales, unmanageable levels of stress and related mental health conditions amount to the most widespread cause of long-term absence, affecting business success and individual wellbeing. Rightsteps enables people to improve their outlook towards work and other life events by addressing barriers such as:

§ Mild/moderate stress

§ Mild/moderate anxiety

§ Mild/moderate depression

§ Panic disorders

§ Chronic pain & long term conditions

§ Lack of motivation

§ Low self esteem or confidence

§ Obsessive compulsive disorder

§ Negative attitude

Our wellbeing team deliver a telephone-based programme that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and guided self help that enables people to get back to work and gives them coping strategies that help them to stay there. The programme is a rapid access service that supports employees in a fast and efficient way to minimise and potentially eliminate the chances of absenteeism due to their condition.

By utilising CBT interventions the programme is able to identify and change negative patterns of behaviour, ensuring individuals accessing the service make significant change a long-term possibility. It begins from the principle that no two employees will need the same approach in making lifestyle changes and developing coping strategies.

From point of initial referral throughout their engagement in the programme our Wellbeing Practitioners will be on hand to support both employees and the employer. Incorporating interventions aimed at supporting individuals which facilitate their return to work.

Rightsteps is much more than a counselling service, the programme is a proactive solution with the added

dimension of focussed on business productivity as well as employee health. The programme strikes a balance between the needs of the employer and the employee and can provide management training aimed at improving the knowledge and understanding of your staff in relation to the most common forms of mental health issues and the impact they can have in the workplace.

Supporting employees to build resilience to these factors results in sustained improvements that deliver

real benefits to both the employer and employee. With the cost to business currently estimated to be in excess of £1,000 per employee per year through sickness absence, staff turnover and lost productivity (almost £26 billion across the UK economy per annum) Rightsteps provides a “non contracted”, “pay as you refer” cost effective solution to minimise the financial impact that these conditions can present.

How does Rightsteps work?

Step 1

Initial assessment

An initial telephone assessment helps our team of practitioners understand the individual needs of the employee.

Step 2

6 x 1 Hour telephone CBT interventions

A further six telephone interventions lasting approximately one hour each are provided. These sessions are tailored to meet the needs of the individual, the sessions allow the Wellbeing practitioners to bring a range of CBT methods into play, challenging behaviours and unhelpful thought patterns and getting to the root of the individual’s problems.

Step 3

Guided self help between sessions

Individuals receiving our support are expected to complete guided self help and workbook interventions between sessions. All materials are provided by the practitioner and are tailored to the needs of the individual accessing the programme.

(Face-to-face support can also be provided, when our assessment suggests this is appropriate)

The need for support

There is an increase in pressure at work and this has led me to feel generally stressed and anxious all of the time. I am finding it hard to fall asleep at night, get headaches and find it hard to relax.

I constantly worry about job security and have thoughts that I will lose my job. This makes me feel very anxious and stressed, I have trouble sleeping as I am always thinking about my sales targets at work which is making my anxiety worse.

£26 billion

lost to the UK economy per annum through mental

health conditionsThe cost to

business is currently estimated to exceed

£1,000per employee per year

through sickness absence, staff turnover and lost

productivity

Effective programmes to assist the management of

mental health at work have the potential to

reduce this by

30%

The Benefits

Around 10 million people in the UK (1 in 6) are affected by a mental health condition at any one time. Mental illness has become the largest category of occupational ill-health. The added value that the programme represents to both employees and employers is invaluable - It maintains attendance within the working environment where previously non attendance would have been the most likely result, Rightsteps Wellbeing keeps your business running and improves the ability of your workforce to cope with the stress of working life.

Rightsteps Wellbeing is a proactive solution which strikes a balance between the needs of the employer and the employee. It begins from the principle that no two employees will need the same approach in making lifestyle changes and developing coping strategies. These will enable them to remain in work or facilitate their return to work if they are absent as a result of their condition.

Key benefits of the service include:

§ Speed of EntryEmployees can be referred via email and initial assessments carried out within 48 hours – significantly improving the outcomes of the individual accessing the programme and minimising the duration of absence and in a majority of cases eliminating it altogether.

§ CostThe service is provided on a “non contracted”, “pay as you refer” basis so you only pay for it when you need to – this innovative and flexible approach to service delivery ensures that as the employer you can control the costs and referral activity to fit within your budgets

§ Collaborative Work with Employers & EmployeesRightsteps Wellbeing’s emphasis is on specifically ‘work-focused’ outcomes that target reducing absenteeism. In addition, by providing feedback on the coping strategies given to the employee to manage symptoms within the workplace employers and employees can work together on ensuring that ongoing attendance in the workplace is maintained.

Notes:1. Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health2. Seymour & Grove, 2005

Early interventions in cases relating to stress, depression and anxiety support individuals to remain in work are proven to deliver results.

It also assists in minimising the risk of litigation and demonstrating fulfilment of your social and legal duty of care requirements to employees:

In Dickins v 02 2008 the Court of Appeal made it clear that in cases of severe stress it is not enough for an employer to simply provide access to a confidential counselling helpline. Instead it recommended that managers and HR professionals take a more interventionist approach to managing stress

The costs of mental health problems at work are significant, both for organisations and individuals. Affected employees may take

sick leave or, if they remain at work, may find their performance adversely affected by fatigue, poor concentration and memory problems. The cost to business is over £1,000 per employee per year through sickness absence, staff turnover and lost productivity – almost £26 billion across the UK economy. Yet effective programmes to assist the management of mental health at work have the potential to reduce this by 30% (Note 1).The savings made by providing CBT to employees have been shown consistently to outweigh the costs (Note 2).

Why telephone delivery?It is more cost-efficient, convenient and can be delivered more flexibly than a face-to-face service.

We already have an EAP with a 24/7 counselling helpline – why do we need your service as well?CBT based counselling is different from generalist telephone counselling. Because CBT is focussed on problem-solving and coping strategies it provides a more lasting solution, equipping people with the tools to overcome difficulties when they arise in the future.

What are the qualifications of the staff delivering the therapy?All staff will be registered / accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Are there limits on the time of day employees can have an appointment?Appointments for assessment and follow up support sessions are provided during working hours. However if there is a specific request for the service to be delivered outside these hours (night shift workers for example) this can be facilitated.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have a comprehensive list of FAQs shown on

our website at www.rightstepswellbeing.co.uk

You can request a copy by emailing us

rightstepswellbeing@turning-point.co.uk

What makes Rightsteps better than other forms of support available?Rightsteps Wellbeing’s emphasis is specifically on ‘work-focused’ outcomes that target reducing absenteeism and presenteeism by providing feedback on the coping strategies given to the employee to manage symptoms within the workplace. Our Wellbeing Practitioners will liaise with employer’s HR or Occupational Health teams regarding any workplace adaptations that would help the individual. Ongoing follow ups with the employer for feedback on the progress of the employee in continued use of coping strategies ensures long term support.

Why is Rightsteps Wellbeing based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?CBT can help to identify and change negative patterns of thought (‘cognition’) and behaviour, building problem-solving and coping strategies. CBT has been shown to be effective in reducing absenteeism - ‘Stress management based on CBT principles can significantly improve perceived stress levels, depressive symptoms, work attendance and productivity among call centre employees’ (Munz et al.2001).

This kind of programme has been shown in studies to raise individual productivity (+ 6%) and reduce work absence by over one working week per year, per person. (Rost et al. 2004)

Testimonials

As a large, multi-site organisation, Rightsteps Wellbeing (Turning Point) provides us with a useful complementary resource in supporting members of our team suffering from mental health issues. The fact that we, as the employer, are also advised of what reasonable adjustments we can make to further support them is particularly helpful.

– Medivet Partnership LLP (03 2013)

The therapist made me feel at ease at all times. This gave me the confidence to open up and talk openly about my problems. Everything was done really well. I am now on the right track to having a more positive life.

I would recommend the care I received to anyone in my position as it helped me more than I could have hoped

When I was referred I was advised that the sessions would be carried out over the telephone. Initially I was a bit hesitant and couldn’t see how that would help my situation, but as it turned out I need not have worried. I went on to have regular weekly sessions. I always received a call when agreed and was sent paperwork to help with appointments. The therapist was always professional, calm and without being heavy handed helped me to look at my situation in a different and more positive light. He rebuilt my confidence and I still use the papers (on a daily basis) that he sent.

At first I was unsure how the counselling would work over the phone, but it worked very well. Tony put me at ease straight away. I looked forward to our sessions each week and found them very helpful. As I told Tony, I felt he had really helped, especially during the time my husband and I suffered another bereavement. Talking all this through with Tony and with the help sheets and suggestions he sent me, I feel I can move forward with more confidence.

Thank you.

Rightsteps WellbeingTurning PointThe Exchange3 New York StreetManchesterM1 4HN

Tel 0161 238 5100

Email RightstepsWellbeing@turning-point.co.uk

For more information please visit our website at

www.rightstepswellbeing.co.uk