Chelsea and Westminster named best UK employer for carers and eldercare

Chelsea and Westminster has won the ‘Best for Carers and Eldercare’ category at the Top Employers for Working Families Awards 2012.

The Trust was up against some of the biggest organisations in the UK—BT and the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) were also shortlisted for the award.

Chelsea and Westminster was also shortlisted in the ‘Best for Flexible Working’ category and named in the Top 30 employers for working families.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs more than 3,000 people. The Trust was aware that its workforce included staff who were caring for others but did not define themselves as carers as they did not recognise their own, sometimes gradual, transition to becoming a carer.

The Trust decided that it would take a proactive approach to reach all carers and to ensure that they received the best support and advice available.

Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust already had a well developed flexible working policy, and this is available for carers to use. In addition, guidance has been produced for carers which covers subjects like defining who a carer is, how to talk to your manager about caring responsibilities, guidance on emergency leave for carers, and different types of working patterns which might be suitable.

The Top Employers for Working Families Awards 2012 recognise organisations across the UK that do the most to support work-life balance and career development for working parents, carers and flexible workers.

Founded by the work-life charity, Working Families and sponsored by Computershare Voucher Services, Top Employers for Working Families recognises innovation and creative thinking in designing family-friendly and flexible policies.

Sarah Jackson, Chief Executive of Working Families, says: “Our awards finalists have developed inspiring workplace policies to support their working parents, carers and flexible workers.

“These progressive employers clearly recognise the links between flexibility, employee engagement, wellbeing and high performance.”

This is further proof of Chelsea and Westminster’s status as an employer of choice:

• The Trust was named as the best employer for carers in the UK in the Top Employers for Working Families Awards 2011
• Chelsea and Westminster was the best acute hospital trust nationally for good communication between senior management and staff, as well as commitment to work-life balance of staff, in the latest NHS National Staff Survey