NICS advice and support services
Sources of support currently available to all staff within NICS.
NICS Sources of Support
Welfare Support Service
Welfare Officers can provide staff with confidential support when they are experiencing personal, domestic or work-related problems. Welfare Officers are trained in Mental Health First Aid and they are able to signpost to a range of other support services based on the needs of an individual.
Telephone: 02890 251771 (Mon – Fri, 09:00 to 17:00)
By email: welfare@finance-ni.gov.uk
Employee Assistance Programme
Staff can avail of support by contacting a free 24/7 helpline service, and one-to-one confidential counselling sessions are available to all staff who are experiencing difficulties. The programme is delivered by Inspire Workplaces and is completely confidential.
Telephone: 0808 800 0002 (this is a free, confidential telephone helpline that is available anytime every day)
WELL Programme
The WELL programme aims to improve the health and wellbeing of all NICS staff and incorporates support, education and information on a wide range of health and wellbeing issues. WELL work in partnership with the Occupational Health Service to provide a range of services including health roadshows and online information sessions to promote health and wellbeing. You can find out more about WELL events by visiting their website.
NICSHR Learning and Development
A wellbeing learning bundle has been developed providing direct access to a wide range of e-learning, online material and webinars for staff and line managers. This includes positive mental health toolkits, as well as resources which promote healthy remote working, developing personal resilience and coping with stress and anxiety. Click the LInKS application on your desktop to access these and other learning and development products.
On your desktop: click the LInKS icon
The Charity for Civil Servants
The Charity for Civil Servants is your national charity that’s been there for you and other civil servants for the whole of your Civil Service career and will continue to be so for the remainder of your Civil Service career and beyond. From mental health struggles and relationship issues to getting through grief or coping with disability, the Charity gets it, and is there to provide help and support.
The Charity can’t always prevent difficult things from happening in people’s lives. But when they do, they want you and your colleagues to know that your charity is here for you. When dealing with tough times, make the Charity for Civil Servants your first port of call.
Download the NICS Sources of Support Flyer.
More advice and support
NI Direct website
For further general advice, resources and information on how to take care of your mental health and wellbeing, please visit NI Direct:
Public Health Agency (PHA)
The PHA has published a leaflet 'Take 5 steps to wellbeing’ which offers tips on supporting your mental and emotional wellbeing while staying at home during the current COVID-19 outbreak. It sets out a practical framework around five steps - Connect; Learn; Be Active; Take Notice and Give. The leaflet can be found on the PHA website: