External awards and recognition

Carer Positive - we have been a Carer Positive employer since 2018. The badge recognises employers who foster an environment where every member of staff feels supported and comfortable in the workplace. ‘Carer friendly’ policies and working practices can result in reduced levels of stress, reduced sickness absence, lower recruitment and training costs, increased staff morale and productivity levels.

Cyber Essentials Plus - this is the highest level of certification offered under the Cyber Essentials scheme. It is a hands-on technical audit test of an organisation’s cyber security systems where cyber security experts carry out vulnerability tests to make sure that an organisation is protected against the vast majority of common cyber-attacks.

Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award (DERS) - accredited in January 2023, the DERS award recognises employers who support the Armed Forces community, leading by example through their culture, and inspiring other organisations to do the same. It demonstrates a commitment to current employees, and future applicants who are or have been associated with the Armed Forces - whether they are currently serving, leavers, veterans, or their families.

Disability Confident Employer - organisations with this second-tier accreditation of the award are committed to playing a leading role in changing attitudes for the better. Having been awarded the accreditation in 2017 (following transfer from our previous Two Ticks accreditation), we aim to change behaviour and cultures in our own organisation, networks and communities, and reap the benefits of inclusive recruitment practice.

Dying to Work Charter - in November 2021 we signed up to the Dying to Work Charter alongside a number of public sector organisations. The Charter aims to help employees who become terminally ill at work. It is part of the Trade Union Congress’ wider Dying to Work campaign which seeks greater security for terminally ill workers.

European Framework for Quality Management (EFQM) Recognised for Excellence 7 Star - we were awarded 7-star EFQM recognition in 2021. More than 50,000 organisations have undertaken the assessment but very few, less than 0.1%, receive the 700 plus points required for 7-star recognition. You can find out more about our award in this case study.

EFQM Excellence Award at the annual British Quality Foundation (BQF) UK Awards - we were awarded by BQF in 2021. This applies to organisations who gain recognition for achieving excellence through their use of the EFQM framework. See above for more information on our EFQM award.

Investors in People - we were re-accredited as Platinum holders in June 2023, having achieved Gold Investors in People (IiP) in 2019. IiP benchmarks the effectiveness of leadership and management practices and is an internationally protected trademark which only accredited organisations have the exclusive right to display. Assessors highlighted our innovation in improving the use of public finances specifically and focus on encouraging empowerment amongst our staff.

Investors in Young People (IiYP) - we achieved IiYP Platinum status in June 2021, having been accredited since 2015 at gold level. We were awarded Platinum for our “unswerving commitment” to young people - one of only three organisations in Scotland to achieve this level of award which demonstrates our commitment to attracting, recruiting, developing, and retaining young people.

PCIP Procurement - we were last awarded this status in 2019 and await reaccreditation. The PCIP assessment process measures and reports the procurement and commercial capability of organisations. The programme is designed to support and encourage the continuous improvement of procurement and commercial practices.

Pregnancy Loss Pledge - recognising our strategic ambition to have an inclusive workplace culture, we signed the Miscarriage Association’s Pregnancy Loss Pledge in June 2023. It demonstrates our organisational commitment to supporting colleagues who experience pregnancy loss at any stage of pregnancy. 

Scottish Living Wage - we have been an accredited Scottish Living Wage employer since 2014. Living Wage accreditation formally recognises and celebrates employers who choose to go further than the government minimum. It applies to employers who demonstrate that a real Living Wage is good for business, good for workers and good for society.

The Promise - the achievements and ambitions in our Corporate Parenting Plan 2021-24 reflect our committment to the corporate parenting duties, and to keeping The Promise. They echo our committment to play our part in helping people with lived experience of care to fulfil their potential, and more broadly, our resolute aim to improve equality of opportunity and outcomes for all of Scotland's young people.

Young Person’s Guarantee - we pledge to inspire pupils, college students and young people looking for work to gain the skills they need for the workplace and help all young people achieve their potential through the Guarantee. We do this in several ways, for example by offering work placements, internships, mentoring and supporting Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprentices.