§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what arrangements are made in his Department to allow staff to access counselling services. [111937]
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§ Mr. Charles ClarkeMy Department recognises the importance of offering support to staff to help them manage difficulties that may arise from their work or home lives and has a contract with Care First Welfare to provide counselling services.
The contract provides all members of staff with access to confidential counselling 24 hours a day, every day of the year via a free phone number. In addition, there is face to face counselling, debt management advice, a legal help line, and an information service on a wide range of issues including national and local helping agencies.