Safety, mental health and wellbeing support for service providers

DCJ’s Employee Assistance Program

Access to DCJ’s Employee Assistance Program for service providers' staff.

Access to DCJ’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has been extended until 30 June 2023 to provide additional support to staff of contracted service providers.

If you have previously registered for EAP, you are not required to register again. EAP services for your staff will automatically resume.

If you haven’t previously registered for DCJ’s EAP, please follow the instructions below.

Access to Employee Assistance Program extended to staff of our contracted service providers

We’re aware of the challenges facing your staff at this time. We recognise that they’re under added stress in delivering services to NSW’s most vulnerable people, and so may need support for themselves or members of their immediate family.

These confidential counselling services are available to your staff until 30 June 2023.

The cost of the service will be covered by DCJ. There is no cost to your organisation or to individual staff using the service.

What is the Employee Assistance Program?

The program provides support, counselling and advice to your staff or immediate family on a range of work and personal matters. This includes workplace conflict, managing relationships and mental health.

These services are delivered by a team of highly trained psychologists and counsellors, who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The program offers up to four sessions for each of the following eight separate service streams or types:

1. Employee Assist (general counselling)
2. Career Assist
3. Conflict Assist
4. Nutrition & Lifestyle
5. Money Assist
6. Family Assist
7. Manager Assist
8. Legal Assist (two sessions only)

Which organisations are eligible?

Any service provider contracted by DCJ that doesn’t have a similar assistance program in place is eligible.

How do I register my organisation?

Register your interest for the services by completing the Registration for EAP form (DOCX, 313.2 KB) and emailing it to capabilityandpractice@facs.nsw.gov.au

When can staff access the services?

If you are already registered, your staff can access services immediately.

If not, you will need to register your organisation. Once you have registered, we will pass on the details to the EAP provider and provide you with promotional material to share with your staff.

We’re making these services available to your staff until 30 June 2023.

Is this service confidential?

Yes, the Employee Assistance Program provider guarantees the privacy of individuals and organisations.

The department only receives a report of the number and types of service streams delivered, for payment purposes.

What impact will this have on my contract with DCJ?

There is no impact to your contract and you’re not expected to pay for these services. There’s no cost to staff accessing the service either. DCJ will cover the costs.

We are offering this service to support the wellbeing of your staff during the current COVID-19 situation.

Further information and questions

If you have any further questions, please send them to capabilityandpractice@facs.nsw.gov.au or contact your DCJ contract manager.

NGO Caseworker Wellbeing Checks Initiative

As part of the NSW Government’s mental health recovery package, DCJ is offering free and voluntary wellbeing checks.

These are available to the frontline casework staff of DCJ-contracted NGOs working in the areas of child protection and out-of-home care. This initiative is being offered in recognition of the work of NGO staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. It complements supports provided through DCJ’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

What are wellbeing checks?

Wellbeing checks are individualised and confidential one-to-one telehealth sessions with a mental health specialist to determine general wellbeing, welfare, psychological safety and potential mental health risks. The specialist services provide strategies to promote ongoing health and wellbeing, and tools to build self-awareness, maintain wellness and avoid injury, and support staff to feel mentally healthy, valued and safe.

Who is eligible?

NGO caseworker wellbeing checks are available to frontline staff with small-to-medium organisations (e.g. under 200 staff) contracted to deliver Aboriginal Child and Family Centres, Family Preservation, Permanency Support, Out-of-Home Care, and Intensive Therapeutic Care programs.

Even if your organisation has its own EAP in place, eligible staff can also access the wellbeing check service.

Who is providing the service?

An independent specialist service will provide the wellbeing checks to staff in confidence.  DCJ will manage the payment of services and uptake by organisations.

How can staff access the service?

To access the service, register your organisation with DCJ.

Once registered, the provider will contact you to brief you on the service and get further information about the staff to be involved. A team member from the provider will then contact eligible staff members to schedule an appointment.

How do I register my organisation?

Register your interest for the service by completing the Registration – NGO Caseworker Wellbeing Check form (DOCX, 314.9 KB) and emailing it to capabilityandpractice@facs.nsw.gov.au

Further information and questions

If you have any further questions, please send them to capabilityandpractice@facs.nsw.gov.au or contact your DCJ contract manager.