Debate contribution: Mental Health Support: Assembly Commission Staff
Debate contribution by Mr Trevor Clarke on .
- MLA
- Mr Trevor Clarke
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 1 April 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Mental Health Support: Assembly Commission Staff
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4876960
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for his question. The Assembly Commission recognises the importance of having a strong framework to support a healthy and resilient workforce. To support the delivery of quality services to staff, we have a corporate health and well-being framework. That framework seeks to achieve positive physical, psychological and social health and well-being outcomes for staff via a focus on prevention, intervention and the promotion of support. A health and well-being group comprises staff from across the Assembly Commission, and we also have a network of mental health first-aiders and harassment contact officers who are trained to offer confidential guidance and support to staff who are dealing with mental health issues and general work-related concerns. We have a proactive organisational development and learning team who regularly promote activities, including courses on mental health awareness for staff and their line managers, to assist staff in managing their health and well-being. In addition, we have held several virtual learning events relating to health and well-being as part of our interparliamentary networks with Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The Assembly Commission has external support through an employee assistance programme that is provided by Inspire Workplace Services. Staff can avail themselves of a number of services, including 24/7 counselling, online training and a range of electronic resources that can be accessed through the Inspire support hub. Assembly Commission staff can also avail themselves of confidential support and advice that are provided by the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) welfare support service.
248 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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