Lifelines Prison Service

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Whatever your involvement with the Scottish Prison Service, these extra resources are for you. Whether you’re prison service staff, in management or a support role, new recruit or retiree, family member or friend.

Prison officers walking down stairsPrisons service staff meeting

Below you'll find out more about our resources and the latest news. There’s also a list of the organisations offering support to the prison service community including trade unions and professional associations.
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Thank you for everything you do. Please look after yourselves and each other.

Get the support you need

Our resources provide you with information and advice across a wide range of subjects...
Why I'm ok most of the time
When I might need some help
If you need to talk to someone now or want to find out more about the support available to you and your family, some organisations specific to Prison Service are listed below. There are also services you can access via our Find Help page. 

"We have been engaged with the employer for some time to get more centred support to prison staff. We were always pushing an open door and seeing this digital resource live is testament to the hard work put in to achieve this."

John Cairney, Chair of SPS Trade Union Side (TUS)

"The stresses of the job can have a detrimental impact on our staff, which is often not acknowledged or recognised by the individual until they are at breaking point.  Lifelines Prison Service  provides staff with resources and tools to help them manage their mental health and resilience"

Fiona Cruikshanks, Governor HMP Edinburgh

"Our staff support and care for some of the most complex, high risk, and vulnerable people in society, going above and beyond every day to keep Scotland’s communities safe. This resource will provide them with a valuable tool for supporting their mental wellbeing, resilience, and recovery, while also signposting other support services that are available to them."

Teresa Medhurst, SPS Chief Executive

Additional videos and resources

Below are some extra service specific videos and resources that you may find helpful...
Here’s Lee from the prison service talking about what he does to stay well and why it matters

Support from other organisations

Detailed here is support specific to your service. For national resources available to us all, visit our find help page.
Trade Unions and Professional Associations
Prison Officers Association - visit website
Prison Governors Association - visit website
Prospect - visit website
Public and Commercial Services Union - visit website
Employee Assistance Programme
Employee Assistance can be accessed on 0800 854 562, they can provide support with a range of issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, family problems, financial concerns, relationship issues, and more. The EAP wellbeing platform can also be accessed via your desktop, speak to HR for further information if required.
Employee Wellbeing Policy
This policy is designed to promote good practice and provide a framework for the effective management of issues relating to employee health and wellbeing. Employees can access via SharePoint or by contact their Manager/ HR.
Occupational Health
Management referrals can be made via your local HR team to our Occupational Health (OH) provider.

For an online resource, visit Optima Health | (workplacewellbeing.com). Here you’ll be able to access wellbeing guidance plus explore plenty of resources to support your overall health and wellbeing.
Trauma Helpline
If struggling, contact/ self-refer to the EAP trauma helpline 0800 854 562, this will provide access to a trained EAP advisor, who will conduct a needs assessment and advise you on things to look out for, self-care, support available and direct you to further interventions as deemed necessary.
The Spare Room (Health and Wellbeing Platform)
The Spare Room is where you will find information about all things health and wellbeing, including links to the various information and resources that we have available to support the staff group. Please access via local SharePoint or contact HR.
Access to Work Mental Health Support Service
They can support SPS employees with mental health concerns affecting their work by contacting 0300 456 8114.
Charity for Civil Servants
The Charity for Civil Servants provide services for civil servants, past and present, when times are tough, listening without judgement and offering practical, financial, and emotional support. They also have access to the Thrive: Wellbeing App, which features 100+ hours of content with evidence-backed tools to support your mental health and wellbeing, including relaxation, calm breathing, progress tracking, goal setting and a mood journal.
SHOUT
All SPS employees have access to Shout, who offer anonymous, round-the-clock MH support by text message. Anyone working for the emergency services including SPS staff can text the word 'BLUELIGHT' to 85258 to be connected to a trained volunteer.

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