Employee Assistance Program, including Manager Assist Guideline

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free, short-term, and strictly confidential counselling service that helps our employees be at their best. These sessions can be used to develop tailored strategies to help enhance wellbeing – both in and outside of work. The EAP is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for up to four sessions for the Department's employees (and school council employees such as casual relief teachers). Immediate family members of Department employees can also now access EAP.

EAP offers:

• flexibility to choose a time and location that works for you – over the phone or face-to-face

• provision for accessing specialist counsellors for Aboriginal, LGBTIQ and family violence matters

• all counselling sessions led by a psychologist or social worker with a minimum of five years in practice

• the offer to speak to another counsellor if you are dissatisfied with the service.

A dedicated telephone advisory service (Manager Assist) is also available to support principals, school leaders and managers. This service can provide advice and coaching on a range of issues such as approaching a difficult conversation with employees, managing challenging team dynamics, leading through uncertainty and change, supporting staff at risk and managing the impact of mental health issues within the workplace.

Any further enquiries regarding the EAP and other support services available to Department employees can be directed to the Employee Health, Safety and Wellbeing Division through email [e-mail]