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LawCare Annual Report 2010

1. LawCare’s Mission, Vision & Values

Mission:
To ensure that all legal professionals, their families and staff, can access timely and high quality peer support and assistance with stress, depression, addiction and other health concerns, together with preventative education on these topics.
“Lawyers Helping Lawyers Confidentially”.

LawCare aims to:-
(i) assist in the relief of mental and / or physical illness resulting from stress and / or depression; alcohol and / or drug or other addictions, or from other forms of dependence associated with compulsive behaviour

(ii) to facilitate, by whatever means are appropriate, the access of all members of the legal profession and those connected with it, to any support agencies that may be able to assist them in dealing with alcohol or drug addiction or other forms of dependence associated with compulsive behaviour, or with stress or depression.

(iii) to educate the public and, in particular, members of the legal profession and those connected with it, in the causes and consequences of alcohol and drug addiction, other forms of addiction or dependence, compulsive behaviour and in the means of managing them.

(iv) to educate the public, and in particular members of the legal profession and those connected with it, in the means of managing stress and depression.

(v) to work with employers to help put in place policies and practises that can help prevent such problems from occurring, or to deal with them positively if they do occur.

Vision:
If we are achieving our mission, we will see demonstrable movement towards a legal profession where every legal professional:-
(i) knows of LawCare, the different ways it can help, and how to contact the service
(ii) has received information and/or training which allows them to spot the ‘early signs’ of stress and health concerns in themselves and their colleagues, and recognises the dangers of excessive drink and / or drug use
(iii) has information, training and tools to help them cope with the pressures of work before things become overwhelming
(iv) contacts LawCare when pressures do become overwhelming
(v) every business employing legal professionals recognises that policies and support need to be in place to support those in need, and that stress and addiction are not signs of weakness
(vi) is provided a range of options, with different information, training, support and tools to support the particular issue and the preferences of the individual
(vii) can be supported through a journey to recovery with regular contact
(viii) let us know when they are in a ‘better place’ in their lives
(ix) who has benefited from LawCare considers contributing in some way to the support of their professional colleagues who are still suffering.

Values:

• Absolutely Confidential – the details of a call to the helpline, or contact thereafter, are seen only by those manning the helpline. Funders are given only statistical information and non-attributable details of areas of concern.

• Peer led – the helpline assistance is provided by individuals with experience of life in practise as lawyers, whilst the on-going volunteer support comes from lawyers with personal understanding of the issue troubling the caller.

• Professional Treatment – when appropriate, a caller will be referred on to a treatment centre or healthcare professional.

• Non judgemental – the focus is on the support and recovery of the caller, not passing judgement on what may have occurred or be occurring.

• Equality – the single or married; transsexual; disabled; straight, gay or lesbian; pregnant; young; aged; those of different race or religious belief, are all treated with total equality throughout the charity’s operations (service delivery, volunteers, staff, etc)

• Pro-active –prevention is always better than cure, so educating legal professionals and their staff on stress recognition and management is as important an aid to health as the helpline is in dealing with health issues.

2. Administrative Details

Helplines
9am to 7.30pm on weekdays and 10am to 4pm weekends and UK Bank Holidays
Solicitors, Trainees, Law Students, Legal Executives and Paralegals in England and Wales 0800 279 6888
Solicitors, Trainees, Advocates, Devils and Law Students in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man 0800 279 6869
Barristers, Pupils, Barristers Clerks and Judges in England and Wales and Northern Ireland 0800 018 4299
Solicitors, Trainees and Law Students in the Republic of Ireland 1 800 991 801
Barristers and Pupils/Devils in Ireland 1 800 303 145

Write to us
P.O.Box 147, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 3WX

Websites
www.lawcare.org.uk / www.lawcare.ie

E-mail us
admin@lawcare.org.uk / admin@lawcare.ie

President:
The Right Honourable the Lord Judge, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales

Chair:
Paul Venton

Registered Office: 50 Broadway, London, SW1H 0BL

Registered Charity in England and Wales: 1061685

Registered Charity in Scotland: SCO39335

Company Number: 3313975
 

Board of Trustees

Paul Venton (Chair) - Solicitor and former Member of the Council of the Law Society (England and Wales)
Olivia Burren - Solicitor in Industry

Louise Campbell - Support Services Executive, Law Society of Ireland

Iain Mackie - Solicitor in Private Practice

Tom Murran - Solicitor in private practise and Member of the Council of the Law Society of Ireland (resigned 31.12.10)

Neil Stevenson - Director of Representation and Professional Support, Law Society of Scotland

Bronwen Still - Former Head of Policy Ethics Unit, Solicitors Regulation Authority (England and Wales)

Dr. David Thomson - Barrister and Registered Medical Practitioner

Robert Venables - Solicitor, former Charity Commissioner, and former Member of the Council of the Law Society England and Wales.

Attracta Wilson - Solicitor and Past President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.

Paul Marsh - Solicitor and Member of the Council of the Law Society (England and Wales)

Staff
Chief Executive Officer - Hilary Tilby, Barrister and Solicitor
Coordinator for England and Wales - Ann Charlton, former Solicitor
Coordinator for Scotland and Northern Ireland - Patricia McLellan, Solicitor
Coordinator for Ireland - Mary Jackson, Solicitor
Administrator - Anna Buttimore
Consultant - Mark Hepburn

Bankers: Barclays Bank plc, One Churchill Place, London E14 5HP

Accountants: Kingston Smith LLP, 60 Goswell Road, London EC1M 7AD

Solicitors: Bircham Dyson Bell LLP, 50 Broadway, London SW1H 0BL


3. Chair of LawCare

We are in times dominated by nervous financial concerns, and thus it is for LawCare. The level of demand for our services remains fairly constant, dominated by the need for help in dealing with stress, and this arises in all the disciplines and jurisdictions we serve.

During the year we welcomed the National Association of Licensed Paralegals to the list of professionals we assist.

The number of website hits remains high, with an average visit of 7.33 minutes, demonstrating the value of this resource.

In the summer of 2010, many predicted that the PI renewal would lay waste to sections of the legal profession in the UK and the Republic (Quinn). Fortunately, however, the reality transpired not to be as bad as forecast. It is to be hoped that, in spite of the claims now assailing the insurance industry, this year’s renewal will also become a testament to the resilience of the insurance market and the aptitude of the professions to protect their clienteles. But it’s not just the cost of insurance. There are many other pressures on legal service providers. Burgeoning regulation; tighter financial oversight by banks; pressure on fees; reduced work levels; higher practice costs; new competition; new business structures – the list just goes on and on, each another source of stress for, and potential danger to, those in legal practise.

I am always humbled by the resilience of our staff and volunteers in continuing to help those in desperate need – sometimes to the point of threatening suicide. Without their fortitude and dedication, the legal professions would suffer many more, and greater, casualties. We owe them all a huge debt of gratitude.

LawCare continues to search for new and alternative sources of income to enable it to embark on a number of projects that have to be on hold until the resources are available. However, I remain confident that with persistence and a dash of good fortune, we will find the financing not only to continue, but also to expand and improve, the services we provide.

Paul Venton,
Chair, LawCare.

4. Overview of LawCare

The Charity is a company limited by guarantee.

LawCare was established in 1997 in response to a perceived problem of alcohol abuse within the legal profession. Since then its scope, and the services it offers, have developed considerably. Today, LawCare’s mission is to provide:

• Timely and high quality support, advice, information and referral for professional treatment for lawyers, their families and their staff, suffering from mental and physical illness resulting from stress and / or depression, alcohol and / or drug addiction or from other forms of dependence associated with compulsive behaviour.

• Service across England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man.

• To Judges, Barristers, Pupils, Barristers Clerks, Solicitors, Trainees, Legal Executives, Paralegals and law students in England and Wales; to Solicitors, Trainees, Advocates, Devils (Pupils) and law students in Scotland; to Judges, Barristers, Pupils, Solicitors, Trainees and law students in Northern Ireland; to Barristers, Pupils (Devils), Solicitors, Trainees and law students in the Republic of Ireland; and to Advocates, Pupils/Trainees and law students in the Isle of Man. The services are also available to lawyers’ immediate families, colleagues, and staff.

• To educate and inform the legal profession and the public at large about such issues as stress; depression; alcohol, drug or other addictions; encouraging firms and individuals to put in place practises and policies which can help prevent problems from arising, or make them easier to recognise and deal with if they do occur.

80% of those consulting LawCare with an alcohol addiction problem say that they started drinking due to stress at work. John Hopkins University calculates that alcohol abuse amongst lawyers is double the national average and that 26% of lawyers have used cocaine at least once. Further, whilst 1 in 4 of the general population will suffer from a depressive illness in their lifetime, lawyers suffer such illnesses almost 4 times as frequently as non-lawyers. The rate of suicide amongst lawyers is 6 times that of the general population, with it being, in North America, the third highest cause of death amongst lawyers, after cancer and heart disease.

LawCare works to minimise the incidences of these issues, which destroy lives, relationships, careers and businesses, as well as damaging the public perception of the legal profession. Where such issues cannot be avoided, our objective is to support the sufferers, and their colleagues, family and friends until the crisis has passed and recovery has been achieved. We do this by a number of means:-

(i) The helplines.
LawCare’s helplines are available 365 days a year (9am to 7.30pm on weekdays and 10am to 4.00pm at weekends and UK Bank Holidays).
We provide support and assistance to lawyers, their families and support staff who are suffering from stress, depression, alcohol or drug abuse and eating disorders. The calls are free and totally confidential, so provide an opportunity for callers to be absolutely frank as to their concerns and the issues that are worrying them. The LawCare staff manning the helpline are all ex-practising lawyers, so have all had experience of the strains and problems that can arise during a life in the law. They never tell callers what to do, only talk matters through with them, to help them find their own way forward. As one member of staff commented “we will walk the path with you shoulder to shoulder, but the choice of the path must be yours”.

The helplines do make a difference:-

“I called LawCare and found it extremely helpful to have an understanding and anonymous voice to talk to. Thank you again for your help.” April 2010

“I sometimes think staff who do this type of job [on the LawCare helpline] don't know how much good they can do by just being there for a chat at the right time, even if you can't necessarily always solve the problem.” Counsellor. June 2010

“You saved my life when you talked to me.” September 2010

“I am very grateful for the advice you have given me”. Case 2010: 366

(ii) The websites
www.lawcare.org.uk and www.lawcare.ie contain pages full of useful details e.g. “I am having a panic attack / being bullied / being made redundant”: click on the button and go straight to a page that gives you suggestions for methods of coping. Read about the issues associated with alcohol and drug abuse and how to tackle them if either yourself, or someone you know, is suffering from addiction. A survey of the websites of all the Lawyer Assistance Programmes in the USA, which included LawCare, ranked LawCare’s third for being so clear, helpful and user friendly.

(iii) The Wellbeing Portal
Through the website, users can access the Wellbeing Portal (WBP). This is a tool to help analyse, and then deal more effectively with, the stresses that occur in a user’s professional and personal life. It is free, totally confidential and entirely personalised. It can be accessed for as long as, and as often as, wanted.

(iv) The information packs
A wide range of helpful information packs and leaflets is available from LawCare, free of charge. They are also downloadable from our website. They cover such topics as:-
Stress and depression, including guidelines on caring for a stressed or depressed colleague or employee
Alcohol misuse and/or addiction, including guidelines on how to judge whether or not there is a problem
How to deal with an alcohol problem suffered by a colleague
Eating disorders
Alternative career ideas
Drug dependency, including addiction to prescription drugs.
Bullying
Bereavement
Counselling
Gambling
Relaxation exercises and techniques to combat stress
Debt

(v) The Training
LawCare offers a range of stress recognition and management training session. They are all free (save for expenses) and in most cases are CPD accredited. In 2010, LawCare provided such sessions and attended conferences, talking to attendees, thus raising awareness with 5,552 lawyers, a rate of 462 a month. Between the sessions being created in 2004 and the end of 2010, 32,892 lawyers had been reached.

Skydiving Without A Parachute
For students, pupils, devils and trainees. Available in 20 and 30 minute, and 1 and 1.5 hour versions, covering what is stress; how the body responds to stress; consequences of failing to manage stress; the Legal Personality; sources of stress; are you stressed; preventing stress; pack your parachute.

Stress Recognition and Management: an overview
For practitioners. Available in 1 hour. 1.5 hour and 2 hour versions.
These session cover such topics as what is stress; the body’s reaction to stress; the physical, emotional and behavioural signs of stress; the stages of stress; how stressed are you (with interactive test );the legal personality; A+B type personalities (with interactive test );causes of pressure / stress in the workplace; physical coping techniques (including time management and exercises to be done at the desk); mental coping techniques;10 essential tips to manage stress; essential tips for a stress free professional life; and snippets of humorous video.

Vicarious Trauma
For practitioners. A 1 hour session covering the effect it has on lawyers to be constantly working with the stressed and distressed, with a test to see how vulnerable participating lawyers are to Vicarious Trauma, whether they are already suffering from it, and the amount of emotional satisfaction gained from their work.

Stress Recognition and Management: an interactive workshop.
For practitioners. A highly interactive 3 hour session, covering all of the above topics and more.

Effective Email
For students, pupils, devils, trainees and practitioners. A session including the indicators of stress in the profession; how to recognise the signs of stress in yourself and others; some ideas for stress management; the advantages and disadvantages of using email; common email mistakes – and some disasters; recognising and combating spam; the Golden rules of email; what to ask yourself before sending, replying to and forwarding an email; using email with clients; how to use email effectively to protect yourself and others from stress.

Time Management
For students, pupils, devils, trainees and practitioners. The course covers the indicators of stress in the profession; how to recognise the signs of stress in yourself and others; some ideas for stress management; how good time management reduces stress; time management tips; mental coping techniques.

“I think these courses should be compulsory for all lawyers – it has certainly made me think very seriously about actually addressing the issue of stress (if only because even I realised some time ago that being stressed out does not make me as effective as I need to be to run a successful business) rather than reaching for another beer at the end of a long day.”
Course attendee March 2010.

“I found the training to be inspirational and relaxed.”
Course attendee June 2010.

“Very informative and a lot to think about. Very well presented.”
Course attendee December 2010.

(vi) The volunteers
LawCare has a network of 165 volunteers across all areas covered. These are lawyers, or family members of lawyers, who have direct or indirect personal experience of the issues with which LawCare offers assistance. They will befriend another lawyer going through a bad time for as long as is necessary. Sometimes, it may only amount to a few phone calls; other times, it may go on for years.

Callers to the helpline can be put in touch with someone who has been in the same situation as themselves, but who has recovered and put their life back on track, or who has assisted another sufferer to achieve recovery. Again and again, callers have reported how uplifted and inspired they have felt by talking to someone who has personal knowledge of their problem. This one-to-one help is invaluable to suffering lawyers and is often a crucial element in their recovery.

Volunteers are not counsellors. Their role is primarily to befriend and support and to give the benefit of their own experience. They also report back to LawCare regularly, so that additional steps can be taken if further help is needed. Our volunteers are very special people who really care about those sharing their own past experiences and want to help them and we could not do our work without them.

“I found it extremely helpful to talk to a volunteer who had been through a similar situation” Caller March 2010.

“Its good to be able to give something back. If it weren't for you guys I wouldn't be here at all.”
Former LawCare helpline caller on becoming a LawCare Volunteer: November 2010.

Achievements and Events

The Wellbeing Portal (WBP) was officially launched on 29th January 2009, with a reception hosted by the Partners of Clifford Chance, at their prestigious Canary Wharf Offices. By the end of 2010, 279 users had signed up to use the Portal and they had logged in 633 times.

When the WBP started, average stress scores ran at 39%, but by the end of 2009, this had risen to 52%. In January 2010 it ran at 46%. This dropped back slightly in May, but had returned to 46% by December. Women’s stress levels started the year at 51%, but had dropped back to 47% by 31st December, whilst men’s rose from 44% to 45% half way through the year and then stayed at that level for the rest of 2010.

Solicitors who used the WBP recorded raised stress levels from 47% at the beginning of the year, up to 58% by August. The rate then fell back to 48% in the Autumn and 46% at the year end.

Barristers averaged stress levels of 49% overall during the year. ILEX member’ stress levels went from 48% to 51%, then dropped back to 49%, ending on December 31st at 48%.

Support staff stress levels rose slightly from 34% to 35% and stayed there for the rest of the year.

Whilst the stress levels in 2010 did not reach the heights seen in 2009, due to a slight lessening in the effects of the credit crunch which had been felt so badly the previous year, the figures set out above still underline the high level of personal issues affecting the professions and those in need of LawCare’s support and assistance.

The National Association of Licensed Paralegals joined LawCare in March 2010 and launched the service at an impressive reception and awards ceremony at the House of Commons.

2009 had been the busiest year on record, since LawCare began operating in 1997, but 2010 followed close behind
· January 2010 – 52 new case files opened
· May 2010 – 53
· July 2010 – 58
· September 2010 – 57

LawCare launched a page on Facebook, with updates tweeted to Twitter.

A new presentation was developed on the topic of using email effectively, which has been used and very well received. Parts of it were also incorporated into existing presentations.

New 1.5 hour and 2 hour presentations on Time Management, together with interactive exercises were also created.

We now also have information packs to provide assistance with
· Stopping Smoking
· Adrenaline Addiction.

There were a total of 171,208 hits on the website during the year, averaging 469 hits per day and lasting an average of 7.33 minutes each, demonstrating that LawCare not only assists by personal contact (the helpline and preventative education courses), but also through the large range of materials available on the website – there were 61,882 document views. The heavy website use suggests that, in line with the increased use of technology in general daily life, many lawyers are now finding the help that they need anonymously through the website, rather than by phoning the helpline.
 

Free (save for expenses) preventative education presentations, seminars and workshops were given to legal groups across the UK and Ireland, and LawCare attended many events, ranging from conferences to local law societies; from firms to special interest groups; from chambers to law students. During 2010, LawCare reached over 5,552 lawyers by this means. From the time the training courses started in 2004 to the end of 2010, 32,892 lawyers had been reached by LawCare at various events.
 

LawCare continued to work with other support organisations such as the Barristers Benevolent Association, Solicitors Benevolent Association (SBA) and the Solicitors Assistance Scheme (SAS) and maintained contact with special interest groups such as the Sole Practitioners Group (SPG); the Black Solicitors Network (BSN); the Junior Lawyers Division (JLD); the Group for Solicitor with Disabilities (DSBA); the Association of Women Solicitors (AWS) and others.

Case Studies
(names and all identifying features have been changed)

History 1
Abeeku called LawCare’s free and confidential helpline following a routine meeting with another of the partners at his firm, during which his colleague, Ellen, had burst into tears. He had noticed previously that she seemed listless and distracted, and was often close to tears, and had heard through the grapevine that she even cried when clients reported difficult problems (she worked in family law), which he considered somewhat unprofessional and distressing for the client. He did not feel able to discuss it with the other partners, but was concerned for Ellen. Others at the office commented that it was “just her” and that she was the “emotional type”, but had the feeling that something was very wrong.

It was suggested that he speak to Ellen to let her know that he was concerned about her, and encourage her to go to her GP for a general check-up in case there was an underlying physical issue. The helpline staff member also arranged to send some LawCare leaflets and our Stress and Depression pack, which included a questionnaire to assess whether someone was suffering from depression, and asked Abeeku to encourage Ellen to phone LawCare herself. Abeeku was asked whether the firm might consider paying for private counselling for Ellen, should it prove necessary, and he said that they would.

Abeeku phoned back four months later to report that Ellen seemed much better. Until seeing the LawCare literature, she has never imagined that she might be suffering from depression, but at Abeeku’s suggestion she had been to her GP and had been prescribed anti-depressants, which seemed to be working well. She had also had some specialist bereavement counselling from a charitable organisation. The firm had noticed a marked improvement in her work, so Abeeku was very grateful for LawCare’s support.

History 2
Alice was a high-achieving lawyer from Northern Ireland who was made partner during the year and, until recently, had been revelling in the admiration of her colleagues. She was driven and competent, thrived on challenges and prided herself on being the highest fee-earner. She had always given 100% to her career, and was thus knocked for six when she developed a muscle spasm in her left leg which made walking very difficult. She worked from home for a week, but found that she hated it. She missed the constant buzz and chatter of the office, she worried about what others were saying about her with her not there, and there was necessarily less work available for her to do.

The following week she forced herself to go into the office despite the pain in her leg (she had been to the GP who could find nothing wrong but had referred her to a specialist) but on only the second day back she made a stupid mistake on a file. She had never made a mistake before and was horrified. Although she noticed in time and was able to rectify it, it could have cost the firm a great deal of money, and Alice hated the process of apologising and admitting that she had done something wrong. She found herself having problems sleeping, going over the mistake again and again and berating herself for her stupidity. She felt a failure.

The helpline staff member asked when Alice had last taken a holiday. Alice thought about it and eventually said “Easter” but on further investigation it transpired that the office had closed for four days over Easter, and Alice had not gone away during that time. She could not remember going on holiday with her partner more recently than five years ago. It was suggested that Alice look up the articles on Stress on LawCare’s website, since many of the symptoms she had mentioned could be related to long-term stress. Some time later Alice called LawCare’s administration line to book a training session for her firm. She later reported that she had found the presentation eye-opening, and realised just how many symptoms of stress she had lived with for years. She was trying to put the training into practice, had booked a holiday, and the pain in her leg had gone.

History 3
Richard called LawCare’s helpline suffering from a bad hangover. He had always been a heavy drinker, and the previous night his girlfriend had walked out because, in his words, “I’m a nasty drunk”. He had never been violent, but she had often repeated back to him some of the unpleasant things he had said to her when he’d been drinking, and he was ashamed and upset. He had, for the first time, called in sick. He worked as a Legal Executive and although he had often been the worse for wear at work, he had never actually let it stop him coming in before. This, plus his girlfriend leaving, had made him realise it was time to do something.

He was congratulated for recognising the problem before it got any worse, and it was suggested that the first port of call should be his GP. He had private medical insurance and said that he would check it to see if alcohol addiction treatment was covered. He also accepted the offer of a LawCare volunteer, a member of ILEX, who had also overcome an alcohol problem. He attended meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and also started having alcohol counselling. At the volunteer’s last report, Richard hadn’t had a drink in almost six months.

History 4
Rebecca was a Barrister but was not working because her husband had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and she wanted to be at home to care for him. Not surprisingly, they were finding themselves in financial difficulties. They had some savings, but these were rapidly being used up.

Although Rebecca spoke mainly about the financial issues (and was put in touch with the Barristers Benevolent Association, who were able to help her) the LawCare staff member felt she needed emotional support also. When offered the chance to speak to a professional counsellor or LawCare volunteer, Rebecca broke down and said that she had tried to be strong for too long, and would welcome the chance to offload onto someone who wouldn’t be embarrassed or burdened by her doing so. She was given the names of counsellors in her area who had relevant experience, with the first two sessions paid for from LawCare’s Welfare Fund.

Operations

LawCare offers its support service to lawyers through its freephone telephone helplines.
These lines are open 365 days a year, operating from 9 a.m.—7.30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at weekends and UK Bank Holidays. Clients who call these helplines are assured of totally confidential, one to one support, plus a wealth of other resources including:-
· discussion about their problems and the options open to them
· referral to a LawCare Volunteer for ongoing one-to-one support, if appropriate
· referral to a professional counsellor or treatment centre, if appropriate
· comprehensive printed information packs about the health problem affecting them
· advice for third parties on dealing with health issues with a relative or colleague
· referral to other pastoral care agencies, where appropriate.

Clients are never told what to do but, rather, are guided to find solutions for themselves, with different options being suggested for consideration. Our motto is “we will walk the path with you shoulder to shoulder, but the choice of the path must be yours”.

After each new client calls, a case file is opened on our secure server, so that if there is on-going support, the client does not have to go through all their issues again, which can be very painful, but can pick up where he / she last left off. No one sees these files but the members of staff who man the helplines.

Where a volunteer or health care professional has been involved, there are follow-up calls to ensure that the client is progressing satisfactorily in his / her recovery and the case file is updated accordingly.

General statistical data is also extracted from the case files and is kept on the secure server, which enables LawCare to assist those researching articles / radio / TV programmes on the health issues affecting the legal profession. All of this is anonymised so that no callers can be identified. LawCare staff are highly sensitive to the importance of confidentiality to all callers.
LawCare also has a very informative and easily navigable website to which those who require information, but prefer to remain anonymous, may refer.

LawCare offers free and informative literature to those in need. The topics covered include:-
stress and depression
alcohol abuse
drug misuse
bullying
bereavement
how to deal with the issues that arise if a colleague or member of staff has an alcohol problem
advice on caring for colleagues and staff with stress problems
a handy and practical desktop workbook about stress
debt
gambling
advice on caring for someone who has an alcohol problem
alternative careers
counselling
redundancy
returning to work after time away from the workplace due to mental illness or addiction
facing disciplinary proceedings
eating disorders
drugs
stopping smoking
adrenaline addiction

LawCare also offers a range of free (except for expenses) presentations and seminars to firms, National and Local Law Societies, Bar Associations, Faculties, Chambers, special interest groups etc. These are on the subjects of stress recognition and management, vicarious trauma, time management etc and aim to equip lawyers to recognise and deal with their problems before they occur.

Newsletter
LawCare also publishes a regular newsletter that includes articles on relevant health or legal issues, and is sent, free of charge, to anyone who requests it. All LawCare volunteers also receive their own newsletter keeping them up to date with developments at LawCare and within the team of volunteers, as well as giving advice and training to better equip them to help those referred to them.

Volunteers
LawCare currently has 156 volunteers across the British Isles.

5. Statistics

2010 was LawCare’s second busiest year to date. 2009 had the highest demand for LawCare’s support and assistance partly, but not entirely, due to the additional stress the global recession placed upon lawyers. However, in 2010, we opened 517 new case files and over 1,000 additional calls were made or taken relating to carrying these cases forward. Helpline staff also noted that calls were becoming longer and more complex.

• Overall, 60% of callers were female and 40% were male. Interestingly, in Northern Ireland, 69% of the callers were female, and in the Republic of Ireland the figure was the same, whereas in England and Wales 57% of callers were women and in Scotland the figure was 62%.

• 74% of calls related to stress. The most commonly cited reasons for the stress were disciplinary proceedings against the caller or someone close to them (20%), financial problems (20%), bullying (17%), redundancy (16%), ethical issues (13%), relationship problems (generally non work related) (11%) and bereavement (3%).

• 12% of calls were from lawyers who were identified as suffering from clinical depression.

• 7% of helpline callers reported difficulties with addiction to alcohol, 1% higher than in 2009. 41% of callers with alcohol related problems were women, 59% men. We think that one reason why we do not receive more addiction calls may be because it is particularly hard for lawyers, who pride themselves on their ability to cope and solve other people’s problems, to ask for help for themselves, especially in relation to an addiction and even more so if illegal drugs are involved.

• There were three cases (0.6%) relating to illegal drugs. Although we know that a large number of lawyers are using drugs, the illegality means that those who acknowledge it as a problem are reluctant to admit it to anyone, even anonymously, on a free and confidential helpline. Also a lot of users are still young do that the long-term results of their usage have not yet manifested themselves.

• 33 calls (6%) did not fall into any of these categories of impairment and were classified as “other”. These included bipolar disorder, gambling addiction and OCD.

During 1997, its first year of operation, LawCare opened 60 case files. In 2010, the figure was 517, each one a lawyer (and potentially family and colleagues as well) being caused great distress due to the levels of stress, depression and / or addiction in their lives.

6. Performance

During 2010 LawCare’s aim in ensuring that all legal professionals, their families and staff, could access timely and high quality peer support and assistance with stress, depression, addiction and other health concerns, together with preventative education on these topics was guided by the following themes:-
· Access and Availability
· Quality and Consistency
· Sustainability and Capacity
· Organisation and Structure.

Access and Availability
The LawCare helpline was available to those in need of help 365 days of the year, providing emotional and practical support to individuals.

In 2010, LawCare helpline staff responded to more than 1,500 contacts by phone, e-mail, text and letter.

The website had 171,208 hits during 2010 (161,692 in 2009), averaging 469 a day (442 in 2010), averaging 7.33 minutes a time. There were also 61,882 documents views on the website. This indicates that a lot of people found the information that they needed on the website itself without the need to call the helpline.

The Wellbeing Portal was launched at the beginning of 2009. This Portal, accessible through the LawCare website, is another facet of LawCare’s proactive approach of aiding members of the legal professions to avoid meltdown by recognising and dealing with the stresses in their life. It enables its users to create a free, totally personalised and confidential assessment of the stresses in their lives, from all perspectives. At the end of the assessment, a report is provided, highlighting problem areas and making recommendations for dealing with them. The system can be accessed as often, and for as long as, the user wants, being updated as circumstances change.

By the end of 2010, there had been 279 users, who had logged in 633 times. The age groups of the highest users were, in order, 0-5 years post qualification (pqe)(33%); 11-20 years and 21+ years pqe (20% x 2); 6-10 years pqe (14%); and Trainees / Pupils / Devils (13%)pqe. 58% of users were Solicitors, followed by 13% Barristers, 12% support staff, 8% Legal Executives, 5% law students and 2% lawyer’s families. Advocates, the Judiciary and the retired were 1% each.

Quality and Consistency
Training - each Trustee is provided with a Trustee Manual that contains comprehensive information about LawCare, its structure and its method of functioning; together with details of Trustee fiduciary duties and skills; a model Trustee Code of Conduct; key principles of good governance; Equal Opportunities Policy; Risk Management Policy / Emergency Plan; a copy of the Strategic Plan and other documents e.g. the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Case monitoring – the CEO reviews each day’s confidential case notes and provides feedback and guidance to team members, if needed. If there are particularly challenging cases, the team will seek input from the CEO, colleagues and LawCare’s Consultant. All the LawCare staff work closely together as a team.

Testimonials – the individual feedback from case files is that the service provided is welcome and has given support and assistance at very difficult times in individuals’ lives:-

“I wish I had had the nerve to contact you years ago, but it was initially quite difficult to reconcile the idea of speaking to an outsider with my professional pride and confidentiality”. Caller April 2010.

Complaints

In LawCare’s 13 years of existence, there have only been 2 complaints, compared to the many hundreds of lawyers who have been dealt with and the many compliments and letters / emails of thanks. This suggests that the services are functioning to the high standards that they should. A deliberate decision has been taken not to approach clients after their involvement to canvas opinions on LawCare’s performance, as it is strongly felt that this would be intrusive at a time when people are recovering.

Sustainability and Capacity
There are always issues of the demands of the annual caseload as against available staff time. This is, therefore, continuously monitored.

The same applies to the demand for training as against available staff time, which is also constantly monitored.

New volunteers are always being sought, both in established areas and in those that are newly added.

Long-term funding is always an issue. Whereas, in earlier years, 3 year commitments would be made by funders, now it is from year to year. Also, some funders are themselves under threat financially, so the likelihood of their ongoing support is under constant review. Given that LawCare started with 1 funder and now has 15, the risk to the charity of one ceasing to support it has been addressed and, it is hoped, diluted to some extent.

Organisation and Structure.

 
LawCare is a registered charity in England and Wales and in Scotland. It meets the Charity Commission’s / OSCR’s requirements for compliance and provides each of them with an annual return; an annual report and a set of accounts.

The Trustees meet quarterly to review cash flow; statistical data; the CEO’s report as to performance; and any issues that may arise. One such meeting each year is devoted to a brainstorming session, with a review of the charity’s performance to date, its way forward, and its Corporate Governance framework.

The staff usually attend these meetings. They also have their own quarterly meeting when they review the progress of initiatives for the last quarter, decide upon those for the coming quarter, and discuss any matters of concern.

LawCare has an independent inspection each year.


7. Future Objectives and Plans

Achievable in the short term / ongoing

• To carry out some basic and inexpensive research into issues of work / life balance, stress, drink and drugs.

• To ensure that the website contains subtle indicators that we respect diversity and equality, not only in relation to clients but also with reference to the other support services and special interest groups that we work with.

• To keep under review the Legal Services Acts in E+W and Scotland and their likely impact on LawCare

• To continue to extend links with other charities and organisations, investigating the synergy between us and meeting with them, when appropriate, to exchange ideas and experiences.

• To continue to undertake low cost, high impact, projects to raise profile.

• To continue to develop contacts with LPC and Diploma providers and try to persuade them to make Lawcare training a compulsory part of their courses.

• To keep under review means of diversifying funding.

• When objectives have been set for 12 months, to report back on overall progress with objectives, staff and board contribution, and impact.

Achievable in the long term / when funding allows

• To commission a redesign of the website

• To examine whether CPD training on-line is practicable or advisable.

• To develop and evaluate a marketing campaign.

8. Governance & Management

LawCare is constituted by its Memorandum and Articles of Association and managed by the Board of Trustees, which currently has 11 members (maximum 12: Reg. 22(i) ), who are also Directors of the Company.

The Board normally meets four times a year and at one of these meetings will spend the majority of the time on strategic planning, considering the strategic direction of the charity, the approval of key policies, the approval of operational plans and budgets, expansion of the organisation’s growth operations into new activities or geographical areas and any other matter having a material impact on LawCare’s financial position, strategy, reputation or risk profile. All members of staff join the Board for all parts of these meetings, save any confidential Trustee business.

At each Board meeting, the Trustees monitor financial performance against budget; the implementation of policy; review the organisation’s risk management strategy; and monitor the effectiveness of the support and assistance being offered by the charity. Subject to the above, the Chief Executive is able to approve routine contracts, authorise expenditure and recruit staff as long as these activities are consistent with the organisation's strategic direction and in line with annual budgets previously approved by the Board.

Appointment of Trustees
The Chair of the Board of Trustees is elected by members of the Board.
The other members of the Board of Trustees are appointed by the existing Trustees (Reg. 22(2) ). Trustees serve a period of 5 years but are then eligible to be re-elected by the Board (Reg. 22(6) ).

Induction and Training of Trustees
Following their appointment, each Trustee is provided with a Trustee Manual which contains wide-ranging and comprehensive details about the charity, governance matters and Trustee / Director responsibilities. Once fully studied, the Trustee signs, dates and returns and copy of the index to the Chief Executive to confirm that this training has been completed. Thereafter, there is periodic training on relevant topics. Additional relevant materials are added to the manual when appropriate.

Risk assessment
At every Board meeting, consideration is given to risk assessment. Major risks that affect the charity include the possibility that the financial support currently available from our funders may cease; adverse publicity could result in damage to our reputation; our information technology or communication systems, on which we rely to provide the 365 day a year service which is at the very heart of the work we do, could fail.

Trustees’ remuneration & expenses
The Directors of the charitable company are the Trustees under charity law, and receive no remuneration. In this financial year, the Trustees agreed that the charity would reimburse the reasonable expenses of any Trustee who expenses were not met elsewhere. One Trustee was reimbursed, in the sum of £77.75.

9. Accounts

Due to formatting restrictions, please contact LawCare for a copy of the accounts.

10. Donors & Supporters
We are extremely grateful to all those who have supported us financially during the year. Every donation we receive helps us to provide our vital services to lawyers, their families and staff.

We are also, in particular, extremely grateful to the Partners of Bircham Dyson Bell LLP for their continued support in providing meeting rooms for the Board and staff.

We are also grateful to those who have supported us with their time, energy and commitment. Without our volunteers, we could not provide such a valuable service and we really do appreciate the wonderful job that they do.

“What an excellent service you offer.” Case 10:241

“I am very grateful for the support.” Case 10.325

“The helpline caller phoned to thank [LawCare] very much for all they did to help him. He said that both staff members he spoke to were superb and very encouraging to him”. Case 2010: 176