An adult health and social care charity has become one of just a handful of organisations in the country to retain a Silver standard Investors People (IiP) award.
Warrington-based Making Space, which employs around a thousand people nationwide, has been accredited with IiP since 2009. First awarded Silver status in 2014, the charity has managed to hang on to its premium accreditation level despite a much tougher standard being introduced this year.
The new higher level Silver award is only given to the top five percent of employers assessed.
Making Space operates services including mental health support, dementia care, respite care and carer support.
In its local Warrington, Cheshire, area it runs nearly 20 separate services, including a computerised CBT service based at GP’s practices, an independent hospital specialising in mental health rehabilitation, supported living services and a residential home.
Phil Orton, Making Space’s executive director of human resources, said: “What stood out through the assessment was our values and the focus upon achieving outcomes for the people who use our services, along with a culture of empowering others, continuous improvement, team working and collaboration.
“There was consistency through the assessment that employees, regardless of role, understood how they contribute to providing great care and support to the people who use our services.
“It is clear from the assessment that whist we have been rated as Silver there is evidence to show we are working at a Gold level and if we continue to embed our people plans then at our next assessment in three years’ time we could well be up to Gold.”
