EAPs and the cost of quality

EAPs and the cost of quality

Last week, EAPA UK chair, Eugene Farrell wrote an article for the Mad World newsletter that explored EAPs and the increasing costs associated with delivering high standards and quality EAP services.

In the article, Eugene highlighted how the smooth operation of an EAP service is down to the professional counsellors and psychologists who directly support employees but also vitally important are the EAP staff and management who manage the day-to-day operations. These practitioners, like counsellors and psychologists, also work to professional standards that must be adhered to such as clinical guidance and ethical standards.

The article explains that while affiliated with EAPA, the global professional body, UK EAPA has developed a set of standards specifically created for the UK market. All UK EAPA registered providers of EAP services work very specifically within this standards framework which covers the work of the counsellors and psychologists but also the staff delivering support, administration, affiliate management and overall service and delivery management.

For employers, knowing that both the counsellors and the way that the EAP itself is managed are covered within this standards framework, are an important part of the confidence and subsequent trust needed when it comes to selecting and using a service. Eugene also points out that providers too will each have working practices and standards that they operate to in addition to the UK EAPA standards.

IT and the safety of information is another consideration of quality to ensure that personal and sensitive data remain secure and delivering this is also a cost of service quality.

This is why EAPA UK urges employers, who are thinking of purchasing an EAP programme or changing providers, also think about the unseen standards and practices that really go into making a good programme. Achieving these standards requires design, process creation, implementation and monitoring and it goes without saying that such management and delivery has a cost associated with it, and this is part of the fee that purchasers pay for their EAP.

Eugene also highlights how the EAP industry is already seeing an increase in the use of services, reflecting the rise in mental health awareness and action in the workplace and that while a positive step forward, this puts a greater strain on resources across the EAP industry and again has cost implications when it comes to the delivery of a quality EAP service.

“While the cost of EAP provision has fallen over many years making it a very cost-effective workplace intervention, if we are to continue to meet, and in many cases, exceed quality standards while delivering on this rise in demand, EAP pricing may have to increase and become an accepted part of the cost of supporting mental wellbeing at work,” he explains.

You can read the full article here and don’t forget that all EAPA members are entitled to a 50% discount using code EAPA50 when registering for the Mad World Summit in October.