Could you start by telling us a bit about your role as a Confidential Advisor?
My role as a Confidential Advisor is to support staff and students in a time that they feel that they being affected by bullying and harassment, but also to offer support to those who have been accused. This is by impartially listening to their concerns in a confidential setting, helping them in to clarify their thoughts, whilst also pinpointing them to services if they would like to take further action.
What kinds of issues or situations can staff approach a Confidential Advisor about?
Staff can approach Confidential Advisors if they feel they are being bullied or harassed within the workplace. In addition to this staff can also if they feel that they are being accused of bullying or harassing another individual and require support through this.
It can help them clarify their thoughts about how they would like to proceed, and often speaking to someone who is completely impartial to the situation can help give them this clarity.
What can someone expect when they reach out to you for the first time?
Anyone who reaches out will be met in an informal manner by an approachable, friendly member of staff who is a confidential advisor. We all come from a varying backgrounds but are all dedicated to giving you the time to listen to the concerns, and talk through the issues that they are having. During your 45 mins meeting, we will take the time for you to talk through the informal and formal options available to you. We will listen to the difficulties that they are having in a confidential manner. In addition, we can pinpoint them in the direction to where they can receive additional formal assistance -- if that is something that the individual is wanting to pursue.
Why do you think having Confidential Advisors is important at King’s?
I am very passionate about this scheme and think it is a fantastic service that we offer students and staff when they are encountering bullying or harassment. Often, we would like an impartial person to talk to and help decide what options are open to us, if we decide to go forward in an informal or formal process to resolution. Some individuals find that by talking things through, this is enough. However, others would like to take things forward. By having a service where individuals to be listened to in a confidential manner and allows them to be clear about the next steps available to them.
What’s one message you’d like to share with staff who might be unsure about seeking support?
Reach out. Please do not suffer in silence. You are not alone and there are people that are happy to talk you through the challenges that you are facing, and what options are available to you. Whether this is in a confidential capacity, informal processes for resolution or the process of making a formal complaint.
Have there been any moments in your role that really stood out to you — something that reminded you why this work matters?
Helping anyone when they are going through this is rewarding as you are helping at their lowest, and by discussing and sharing the difficulties to an impartial listener can help make things seem a lot clearer and easier to deal with.
And just for fun — what’s one thing your colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?
Last year I walked 100km in one day for charity!