I need help
Barristers inherently face very specific challenges on a daily basis. If you need some help click on support to find contact details and advice on seeking support.
The professional lives of clerks and chambers’ staff include many potential stressors. If you don’t know how to broach an issue, want advice on your options.
These resources have been designed specifically for those who have completed their BPTC and for pupils up to tenancy.
Resources
Guidance on how to introduce wellbeing policies and initiatives and on tackling a wellbeing issue in chambers.
Examples of successful wellbeing initiatives adopted by chambers, Specialist Bar Associations and the Inns of Court.
Support
Who to talk to, how to get help in coping with the pressures and demands of life at the Bar.
Who to talk to and how to get help, resources are for clerks and staff themselves.
Support for students and pupils
Who to talk to and how to get help for those who have completed their BPTC and for pupils up to tenancy.
The confidential 24/7 helpline with access to counselling for barristers, pupils, clerks and chambers’ staff.
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An Assistance Programme (AP) is designed to help you deal with personal and professional problems that could be affecting your home life or work life, health and wellbeing.
This AP is provided by Health Assured. You can access assistance by calling the confidential telephone service to discuss emotional and practical problems. You will also have access to online services, providing information and assistance with common health concerns.
HA is a registered provider with Employee Assistance Professional Association (EAPA) and works to the guidelines provided by this expert body, as well as the ethical guidelines provided by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). HA adhere to strict data protection standards in relation to confidentiality. All of HA’s counsellors follow the BACP guidelines around clients’ privacy and confidentiality in order to prevent unauthorised disclosure. Confidentiality is explained to all counselling clients and client consent is obtained wherever necessary.
All calls are confidential between the client and the relevant professional – the only exception being if it is considered that there is a serious risk of harm to the caller or others. As part of the service, HA capture personal details including name, address, contact number and GP details. These details are captured to support at risk situations and therefore this detail is captured for all cases, regardless of whether there is a perceived risk at that time.
Storage & Reporting
HA use Salesforce.com’s cloud for data storage, which is certified to ISO27001 standards.
From a reporting perspective, management information is provided on a consolidated, anonymous basis in order to provide informative utilisation and trend data, whilst maintaining the confidentiality of the service.
All HA staff have their own unique username and password. Our Access Control Policy states that passwords should not be shared and that machines should be locked whenever they are not in use.
The level of authorised access is set to the minimum required to effectively carry out daily duties and the level of access is specifically authorised by line management.
Wisdom is the new app replacing My Health Advantage provided by Health Assured. As barristers and chambers’ employees, you have access to this upgraded platform designed to track wellness, enhance mental health and build resilience. You can register today by downloading the Wisdom app on the App Store and Google Play.
To access Health Assured’s Health Portal, please use the organisation code below to create your account:
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Sometimes it can be difficult to balance the pressures of work with the demands of home life. When daily life feels overwhelming you need help and support to deal with the practical and emotional challenges you may be facing. The free Health Assured app offers access to holistic health and wellbeing support at the tap of a finger anywhere and anytime.
The information and resource packs on this website are designed to help you and your colleagues to work as a community for better wellbeing and professional resilience. If you want to provide feedback on these resources, or to get involved in promoting wellbeing please get in touch.
It can be difficult to make a living from law and it can be pressurised and demanding. Competition and an adversarial approach to everything can make collegiate relationships difficult. This website aims to provide you with the knowledge to manage these stressors, make emotionally informed, wise professional decisions and thrive in your chosen profession.
A simple expression that sums up wellbeing is ‘travelling well’
2 in 3 barristers feel that showing signs of stress equals weakness