Posted on: 3 November 2022
CNWL has successfully been awarded the Carer Confident benchmark of Ambassador. This is through the work of our Carers at Work Network, Patient & Carer Involvement Team, Carers Council and Anne Power, our Staff Networks Coordinator.
We become one of five organisations to reach this achievement, and the first NHS employer.
Carer Confident is a benchmarking scheme run by Employers for Carers, to recognise employers who provide an inclusive and supportive workplace for staff who are or will become working carers.
There are three stages in the grading system, the first award is Carer Confident Active, followed by Carer Confident Accomplished, and the last, Carer Confident Ambassador.
Organisations must work towards meeting certain criteria to be granted the award, including:
- Preparation: Enabling carers to identify and recognise themselves
- Policy and guidance: Making your support for carers transparent
- Practice: Support for carers in your workplace
- Peer support: Connecting and engaging carers
- Promoting support: Communicating support in your workplace
The Trust achieved a score of 134 out of 145 in its application, and exceeded grading expectations in most cases. The report reads:
“We felt that you exceeded the standard because of the comprehensive and imaginative ways in which you support carers through both their employment and caring journeys. We were also impressed to see how you have been promoting issues facing carers and how you support them in your workplace.”
The Carers at Work Network is a staff forum which provides support and guidance for carers in the Trust, and it is run by staff who are carers themselves. They offer supportive information and signposting, as well as education sessions for staff and managers alike.
Co-chairs of the network, Sarah Hulme, Service Director for Camden and North West London Tri-Borough Services, and Sian Aylett Head of HR Diggory Division said:
"We are delighted to have achieved this award, which recognises the quality of the offer we have developed over time to meet the needs of CNWL’s working carers.
"We know that the work of the CAW network makes a difference to those carers we reach, and we have the aspiration and commitment to broaden our reach to support even more staff."
Hannah Witty, CNWL’s Chief Finance Officer, who is the Executive Sponsor for this network said:
"I am so proud of the energy, focus and dedication from the Carers at Work Network. This is a welcome recognition of our achievements, and that CNWL's offer to staff has been recognised.
"We know we have more to do and we will continue to focus on delivering this for all our brilliant working carers. I’d especially like to thank Sian and Sarah for their inspirational leadership of the network .”
The 2021 NHS survey revealed that one in three workers juggle their job with caring for a loved one.
CNWL recognises that a great number of its staff are carers in their personal lives, and that creating a work environment that supports working carers has benefits for both carers and the organisation.
Employers can retain skilled and experienced staff, increase productivity, reduce turnover and recruitment costs while empowering staff and increasing their resilience, by supporting them to manage their caring roles.
Later this month, the Network will come together for Carers Rights Day (24 November). This year’s theme will concentrate on the costs associated with looking after someone – it could be the cost to Carers’ wellbeing, financial costs, the cost to their quality of relationships, or the current cost of living emergency.
Learn more about the Carers at Work Network here.