CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
MCL Medics began providing Liverpool City Council with dedicated Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services in 2022, quickly establishing a trusted, reliable support system accessible to the entire workforce.
Challenges:
Liverpool City Council recognised the need for a comprehensive EAP to address the varied and evolving mental health and wellbeing needs of its employees. The programme needed to be highly accessible, flexible and responsive to issues arising from workplace stress, personal challenges, significant global events such as the post-COVID-19 environment and global crises impacting employee mental health.
Solution:
MCL Medics implemented a robust and accessible EAP service for Liverpool City Council, including:
- 24/7 confidential counselling support available via phone, web portal, and mobile app
- Structured self-referral system ensuring ease of access for all employees
- Professional counselling addressing both workplace and personal issues
- A user-friendly mobile app providing extensive wellbeing resources and self-help tools
- Dedicated and responsive account management providing expert strategic advice
- Comprehensive support aligned closely with the council’s internal wellbeing and HR strategies
Detailed Service Implementation:
MCL Medics provided multiple channels of access (phone, website and mobile app) ensuring employees could conveniently and confidentially seek support whenever required. The mobile app and online resources provided extensive wellbeing and lifestyle guidance, supporting self-directed mental health management. Counselling services, accessible via self-referral, proved highly effective, delivering measurable positive outcomes for employees experiencing personal and work-related difficulties. Regular strategic meetings between MCL Medics’ account management team and the council’s wellbeing lead ensured proactive adjustments and improvements to the service, reflecting evolving employee needs and organisational priorities.
Results:
Liverpool City Council employees reported significant benefits and positive experiences from engaging with MCL Medics’ counselling and EAP services. Managers, HR teams and the Occupational Health service leveraged the EAP effectively, supporting employees during periods of organisational change and external crises, including the post-COVID-19 transition and international geopolitical challenges.
Impact:
The introduction of MCL Medics’ EAP significantly enhanced Liverpool City Council’s internal support structures, positively influencing employee wellbeing, mental health resilience and overall productivity. Employees experiencing mental health challenges reported noticeable improvements, enhancing workforce stability and morale.