Our Ref:          FOI-1399-1819

Thank you for your request received on 21 August 2018 asking for information about the support available to London Underground Operators following traumatic incidents.
 
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require.
 
•         Procedure for managing tube drivers involved in fatal incidents
 
We are committed to providing support to employees that have been involved in any traumatic incident (whether fatal, a near miss or workplace aggression/violence related). Immediate support is available from the local management team and Trauma Support Team who are staff across various operational roles trained to support colleagues and provide practical support for managers after an incident and arrange aftercare for employees if needed. There is also professional specialist trauma counselling which is available from Occupational Health’s Counselling & Trauma Service to all employees who have experienced a traumatic incident. Support is also offered to managers to help them to support their staff.
 
Different individuals react and cope in different ways following incidents of this nature therefore a personalised approach is taken to support them. We offer guidance for managers on how to provide good support to their employees in these circumstances, including the immediate support that a member of staff may require, ongoing support that may be needed, and return to work.
 
Managers provide ongoing support to their employees and remain in regular contact with staff who are not at work following such incidents. This level of contact is agreed with the member of staff. A return to work is planned, as stated above, as people have different responses to trauma they will have different needs when planning to return. The return is developed by the manager and the member of staff.
 
•         Process to ensure tube drivers are fit to drive a train before returning to work after a traumatic fatal incident
 
As per the above any return to work is planned and agreed with a manager and the member of staff concerned. Where staff are receiving Counselling & Trauma Support via Occupational Health, or are under the care another medical professional (e.g. GP), a return to work would be implemented with any necessary restrictions if deemed appropriate by those professional carers. Some staff may be able to return to full duties and others may need a phased return in order to build confidence. This may include measures such as shorter working hours, on-the-job support from another member of staff, or working at an alternative location initially.
 
Following the return to work, the member of staff receives ongoing support and their manager will meet with them regularly to ensure that they do not have any ongoing difficulties.
 
•         Support network and facilities for assessing tube driver mental health, stress, depression etc
 
This consists of the Trauma Support Group, Occupational Health Counselling & Trauma Service and support from management as outlined above. All of these elements will have a role on assessing the wellbeing of staff.
 
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.
 
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Gemma Jacob
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

[email protected]