AQW 47776/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 03/06/2026
Answered On Date: 18/06/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any therapeutic support his Department issues child maintenance officers.

Answer:

The Child Maintenance Service offers therapeutic support to staff through the use of Safe Space Advocates and Mental Health First Aiders, who provide confidential, non-judgemental support and signposting to further support services if appropriate. The Child Maintenance Service also offers daily one-to-one support to staff who handle potentially difficult phone calls.

The Department also has a range of other support available for staff, including:

Welfare Support Services – Support for personal, domestic, social and work-related issues.

Lena by Inspire – Confidential 24/7 wellbeing support, including one-to-one counselling.

Work Psychology Service – includes wellbeing initiatives, Well Champions, health checks and an online Wellbeing Hub.

NICS Staff Networks – Peer support, awareness and inclusion across a range of groups.

NICS Learning and Development – Practical training and resources on stress management, resilience and wellbeing.

The Charity for Civil Servants – Wellbeing support, financial advice and potential financial assistance via self-referral.