Employee Assistance

Referral

FASS provides a specialist alcohol counselling and education service for employees experiencing difficulties with alcohol.

We offer employees an opportunity to explore and resolve any concerns they may have regarding their use of alcohol and its impact on work performance.

If you are an employer who needs to refer an employee, please print and complete a FASS Employee Referral Form which includes an Employee Mandate.

The mandate authorises a 3-way communication between FASS, employee and employer for attendance and progress information.

The Form in pdf format can be found in the sidebar or downloaded here. Mail the completed form with a signed mandate to our office at the address below.

Fife Alcohol Support Service
17 Tolbooth Street
Kirkcaldy
KY1 1RW

Alcohol and the workplace

Employees may be referred by their employers under the terms of an Alcohol or Substance Misuse in the Workplace policy, or following an issue of health and safety.

In either case, disciplinary procedures may have been invoked or are being held in abeyance whilst the employee agrees to address concerns by attending FASS.

Employees may also be referred on a voluntary, non-disciplinary basis.

From referral to assessment of need and help

Upon receipt of referral, FASS will contact the employee with information about Alcohol Counselling. We will provide details of a first appointment with one of our counsellors for a comprehensive alcohol assessment. FASS arranges 99% of appointments within 21 days, most within 14 days.

If an alcohol-related problem is confirmed, we can offer a programme of alcohol counselling.

If an alcohol-related problem is not confirmed and counselling is therefore not deemed necessary, or is declined by the employee, we can provide an alcohol education programme. This is designed to raise awareness and encourage the employee to make informed choices about use of alcohol.

Availability

Assessment, counselling and alcohol education sessions are available throughout Fife. The employee may require time of work to attend.

Assessment and progress reporting

FASS provides a reporting service for employers and employees. Assessment reports are followed by regular progress reports for employees engaged in either counselling or alcohol education. This is subject to a mandate from the employee authorising a 3-way communication between FASS, employer and employee.

Reporting is normally provided for employees referred to FASS whilst Disciplinary Action is underway or is being held in abeyance whilst the employee seeks help.

Reporting is not normally provided for employees who are referred on a voluntary, non-disciplinary basis.

For more information about this or any other aspect of our service, please telephone our office on 01592 206200.

Alcohol counselling

Programmes can include any of the following elements:

care planning with the service user
working with significant others/family members
arrangements for management of alcohol withdrawals, pre and post detox support
exploration of deeper psychological/emotional/behavioural issues and problem solving
abstinence and controlled drinking regimes
cognitive-behavioural relapse prevention
alcohol education, health behaviour change
report and record keeping
consultation with other professionals regarding client care