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Support for informants

We know that our fitness to practise investigations can be difficult for those involved. Some investigations are complex and can take time to conclude, which can often lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. You should reach out for appropriate support if you are feeling this way.

The organisations listed below may be able to offer you support with raising a concern and what to expect as our investigation progresses.

POhWER help people who, because of disability, illness, social exclusion and other challenges, find it difficult to express their views or get the support they need. Their mission is to deliver high quality advocacy, information and advice services empowering people to have a voice and to make a real difference to their lives.

They are a charity and the advocacy, information and advice services they provide are free, independent and confidential.

Website: https://www.pohwer.net/ 

Phone: 0300 456 2370

Advocacy Support Cymru (ASC) is a registered charity specialising in the provision of professional, confidential and independent advocacy for those eligible for our services.

Website: https://ascymru.org.uk/ 

Phone: 029 2054 0444

The Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre at Queen Mary University of London has two key aims; enhancing the education of our students and promoting access to justice in the community.

Website: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/lac/ 

Phone: 44 (0) 20 7882 5555

Health and wellbeing support

If you need health and wellbeing support at any time during an investigation, you should discuss this with the caseworker investigating your concerns. They can advise you on where you can find help, but the links below may also be useful.

AWARE NI offers 24 Support Groups throughout Northern Ireland open to people aged 18 and over who are living with low mood, anxiety, depression or bipolar. These groups are free, there are no waiting lists, and no referral is needed. 

Belfast office phone: 028 9035 7820

Derry/London office phone:  028 7126 0602

Website: https://aware-ni.org/ 

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership.

Phone: 0800 9177 650
Email: [email protected]
Website: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Carers UK is both a supportive community and a movement for change.

If you have caring responsibilities, Carers UK can help by sharing experiences and offering support. They are rooted in the real experiences of their members and they are available to make life better for carers.
　
Phone: 020 7378 4999
Phone (Northern Ireland): 028 9043 9843
Email: [email protected]
Website: carersuk.org

Citizens Advice provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. They can provide advice on topics including benefits, work, debt and money, consumer rights, family and housing, law and the courts, immigration and health matters. 

Visit: your local Citizens Advice branch 
Chat online: Citizens Advice web chat service
Phone: 
England: 0800 144 8848 
Scotland: 0800 028 1456
Wales: 03444 772 020Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 144 8884
Website
England and Wales citizensadvice.org.uk
Scotland cas.org.uk
Northern Ireland Advice NI or Gov.uk for other sources of support in Northern Ireland.

Dyspraxia UK is a specialist Occupational Therapy service focused on supporting people with symptoms of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), which is commonly known as Dyspraxia. DCD affects between 6 and 10% of the UK population, around two to three people out of a class of 30. Our team can provide an up-to-date motor skills assessment and provide support in improving manual dexterity and precision.

Phone: 01223 967 897 (office hours)

Every Mind Matters shows you simple and practical ways to ease anxiety, manage stress, lift your mood and sleep better.

Website: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/ 

Healthwatch is a health and social care champion. They have the power to make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers listen to feedback and improve standards of care. They can also help you find reliable and trustworthy advice and information.

Website: https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/ 

Inspire are an  all-island charity and social enterprise with a mission for wellbeing for all. They work alongside people living with mental ill health, intellectual disability, autism and addictions. They ensure that they live with dignity and realise their full potential. They campaign to create a community free from stigma and discrimination, and a culture of compassion that focuses on people and their abilities.

Website: https://www.inspirewellbeing.org/ 

Phone: +44(0)28 9032 8474

 

Lifeline is the Regional Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing crisis. No matter what your age or where you live in Northern Ireland, if you are or someone you know is in distress or despair, Lifeline is here to help.

People living in Northern Ireland can call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000. Deaf and hard of hearing Textphone users can call Lifeline on 18001 0808 808 8000. Calls to Lifeline are free to people living in Northern Ireland who are calling from UK landlines and mobiles.

Lifeline counsellors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen and help, in confidence.

Website: https://www.lifelinehelpline.info/ 

Phone: 0808 808 8000

Cwtsh is key part of the Integrated Wellbeing Networks (IWN) programme, which aims to support and strengthen wellbeing and health in our communities to improve people’s quality of life and reduce the strain on healthcare and other services. 

Website: https://www.cwtsh.wales/en/Services-and-Support/Mental-Wellbeing-support 

Mind provides supportive and reliable information to support you if you are experiencing a mental health issue. Mind empowers people to understand their condition and the choices available to them.

Mind offers:

  • Infoline offering confidential help for the price of a local call
  • Legal Line providing information on mental health related law
  • Certified standard information on their website. 

Phone: 0300 123 3393 (office hours)
Text: 86463
Email: [email protected]
Website: mind.org.uk

The National Wellbeing Hub was established in 2020 to help support the wellbeing of everyone working in Health and Social Care in Scotland.

Website: https://wellbeinghub.scot/ 

Phone: 0800 111 4191

Narcotics Anonymous is a non-profit fellowship or society of people for whom drugs have become a problem. They are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. It is a programme of complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only one requirement for membership, the desire to stop using.

Phone: 0300 999 1212
Website: ukna.org

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters.

They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers.

You can find your nearest PALS office on the NHS website.  

You can also ask your GP surgery, hospital or phone NHS 111 for details of your nearest PALS.

Website: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/ 

 

You can talk to Samaritans at any time about anything troubling you. Anything disclosed is completely confidential. Samaritans can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen. Samaritans are available all day, every day. 

Phone: 116 123 (free to call)
Email: [email protected]

Write to: Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, Stirling FK8 2SA
Website: samaritans.org
Find your nearest Samaritans branch

Scottish Action for Mental Health, operates in over 70 services in communities across Scotland, providing mental health social care support, addictions and employment services, among others. Together with national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention, and physical activity and sport, these services inform SAMH’s policy and campaign work to influence positive social change.

Website: https://www.samh.org.uk/