Issue - meetings

To inform the Committee of the Care First service which is being extended to provide support to Members.

That the Care First service which was available to employees also be made available to County Councillors.

The Democratic Services Manager introduced the report to inform the Committee of the employee Care First service which could be extended to provide support to Members.  He provided background information and explained that whilst County Councillors were not employees, they were part of the County Council and it was reasonable from a well-being perspective to extend access of the service to them.

The Democratic Services Manager referred to the main considerations, as detailed in the report, and explained that the service was free of charge to the individual and available 24 hours a day throughout the year by phone or online.  He advised that Care First  was designed to provide information and support to individuals with a wide range of work, family, and personal issues.

Councillor Paul Shotton supported the initiative to extend the service to Members.

Councillor Mike Peers commented on the matter of confidentiality and asked if the Authority was provided with information regarding users of the service.  The Senior Manager, Human Resources & Organisational Development, explained that the Authority was not advised who accessed the service without the individual’s consent but statistical information was provided to  assist the Authority to identify any developing areas of concern its workforce may have within or outside the workplace with a view to providing support if needed. 

Councillor Chris Bithell said the Authority had a duty of care to all its staff and spoke in support of the service which he said included school based employees.

In response to a question from Councillor Ian Dunbar concerning the provision of on-going support, the Senior Manager, Human Resources & Organisational Development  explained that Care First advisors were professionally qualified to provide continued support or passport to other appropriate services if required. 

In response to a comment from Councillor Clive Carver concerning resource implications, the Democratic Services Manager advised that the Care First service could be extended to Councillors at a cost of £1.76 per head  as part of the Authority’s existing contract.  This was an annual flat rate payment which did not alter on usage.

The Senior Manager, Human Resources & Organisational Development reported that the Care First service was welcomed and promoted by the  Trades Unions and was part of an all Wales programme offered to all local authorities.  She explained that the service enhanced existing provision across the Council to support the health and well- being of its employees

RESOLVED:

That the Care First service which was available to employees also be made available to County Councillors.