Our approach to ESG

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As one of the UK’s largest care home providers, Care UK recognises the impact our actions have on our local communities and beyond.

Care homes have potential to make an incredibly positive contribution to the local communities in which they operate – whether that be creating jobs and learning opportunities for colleagues, to supporting an ageing population in living well for longer. We also understand this comes with a responsibility to make decisions that speak to the longer term sustainability of our homes and the wider care sector.

We are dedicated to sustainability by minimising our environmental impact and focusing all colleagues on sustainable working practices. Guided by our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policy, we are working to meet net zero carbon emissions by 2040 and protect the natural world. We aim to create positive impacts for residents, their families, our colleagues, and the wider community, while fulfilling our responsibilities to care commissioners, investors, and suppliers.

Our core values

Fulfilling lives is our core purpose and the foundation of everything we do at Care UK. This provides a framework for the development of all major initiatives, including our environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives. Our values of caring, passionate and teamwork underpin everything we do, and our belief is that every one of us can make a difference. Consistent with our values, we believe it is our responsibility to set the highest standard of ethical and sustainable operational practices.

Who is responsible for the businesses ESG efforts?

The Care UK Executive Board has overall responsibility for establishing the ESG strategy and delivering change within the organisation. We have enlisted a group of individuals from across Care UK to form an ESG Advisory Committee, which meets regularly to plan and track our activity and how we are progressing towards our ESG goals.

All colleagues have a responsibility to contribute to our efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 in-line with the UK government's plans to protect the natural world. We have reinvigorated a team of Sustainability Champions and aim to have one in every Care UK home. These champions are responsible for driving local change and working with the ESG Advisory Committee to identify new opportunities for improving our ways of working.

Our strategy for sustainability

Care UK is dedicated to sustainability by minimising our environmental impact across the company. We also have a strong focus on enhancing working practices, raising colleague awareness, and pursuing technical advancements. As a responsible company, we are committed to positively affecting the local communities, while providing high-quality care through strong governance, ensuring resident safety, dignity, and respect are upheld.

Environmental

We have demonstrated our dedication to environmental best practices with measures designed to prevent pollution, divert general waste from landfills and minimise the environmental impact of our operations. As part of these efforts, we are encouraging homes to support the conservation of wild animals and plants and increase biodiversity in their gardens. Residents and colleagues have been taking part in by creating wildflower patches and bird nesting spots, setting up bug hotels and feeding stations for wildlife. ensure we are adhering to environmental best practices.

Other environmental initiatives include:

A salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme (for field-based roles).
A million-pound investment in environmentally friendly LED lighting
A waste management programme that means no general waste goes to landfill

Social

We are proud of the positive impact the care sector has on local communities in helping create jobs, supports ageing populations, and supporting family caregivers. We are deeply committed to actively contributing to the local communities in which we operate. This includes supporting colleagues' charitable efforts through our match funding programme which in our 2023 financial year saw us donate almost £25,000 to local and national charities.

Other social initiatives include:

An apprenticeship programme supporting more than 600 colleagues in their development journey
Free seminars we run to help local communities better understand dementia

Governance

We're committed to ensuring our teams fully understand their regulatory responsibilities and have a number of governance structures in place to ensure compliance. As an example, we have a dedicated Care Quality and Governance team who monitor our efforts and work with each care home’s manager to identify opportunities for improving the quality of our care. Care UK is now the largest care provider to join the Care Homes Wellbeing pilot scheme run by the Social Care Improvement Group, helping teams work more efficiently, improving both resident care and staff satisfaction.

Other governance initiatives include:

Electronic medication management system which helps to reduce pharmaceutical waste and increase patient safety.
ISO compliance for all carbon measurement, IT and cybersecurity measures
A 'Quality Assurance Forum' which supports ongoing organisational learning

Caring UK Awards 2024 finalist - Employer of the Year

Caring UK Awards 2024 finalist - Care Group of the Year

Greater Essex Careers Hub 2024 winner - Employer Encounter of the Year

Love Laundry Awards 2024 finalist - Care Home Group

National Dementia Care Awards 2024 finalist - Inspirational Leader in Dementia Care, Alison Butler

LaingBussion Awards 2024 finalist - Care Home Group of the Year

Leaders in Care Awards 2024 finalist - Andrew Knight, Executive of the Year

The National Care Awards 2024 finalist - Care Home Group (Large)

National Association of Care Catering Awards 2024 finalist - Catering Team of the year Award

Inhouse Recruitment Awards 2024 finalist - Candidate Experience

Inhouse Recruitment Awards 2024 finalist - Best Place to Work

Inhouse Recruitment Awards 2024 finalist - Use of Tech

UK Employee Experience Awards 2024 winner - Best Employee Experience Journey

UK Employee Experience Awards 2024 winner - Best Company to Work For (large company)

Care Home Awards 2024 high commendation - Best Care Home Marketing, Advertising or PR Activities

William Rathbone Awards 2024 winner - Executive Nurse Leadership

Stars of Social Care Awards 2024 winner - Recruitment and Retention Award

Dementia Care Awards 2024 finalist - The Dementia Friendly Business Award

Craft Guild of Chefs Awards 2024 finalist - Public Sector Chef Award

Public Sector Catering Awards 2024 winner - Care Catering Award

Care Home Catering Awards 2024 finalist - Group Care Home Caterer of the Year

Carehome.co.uk Top 20 Large Care Home Groups in the UK 2024

Care Home Awards 2024 finalist - Outstanding Larger Group Care Provider (over 75 homes)

Health Investor Awards 2024 finalist - Care provider of the year

Caring UK Awards 2023 winner - Care Group of the Year

Nursing Times Awards 2023 winner - Nursing in Social Care

Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care 2023 finalist

Engage Awards 2023 finalists

National Care Awards 2023 finalist - Care Home Group

Leaders in Care Awards 2023 finalist - Care Home Provider of the Year

LaingBuisson Award 2023 finalist - Excellence in Large Residential Care

Social Care Top 30 Award 2023 finalist

NACC Awards 2023 finalist - Catering Manager of the Year

Care Home Awards 2023 winner - Best Care Home Marketing, Advertising or PR Activities

Health Investor Awards 2023 winner - Residential Care Provider of the Year

UK Employee Experience Awards 2023 winner - Best Employee Engagement

Public Sector Catering Awards 2023 winner - Care Catering Award

Care Home Catering Awards 2023 finalist - Group Care Home Caterer of the Year

RoSPA Awards 2023 winner - Silver Award

Leaders in Care Awards 2022 finalist - Care Home Provider of the Year

Caring UK Awards 2022 winner - Midlands & Wales Care Home of the Year

LaingBuisson Award 2022 finalist - Large Residential Care

National Care Awards 2022 winner - Care Operations/Area Manager

Dementia Care Awards 2022 winner - Best Dementia Care Inspiring Leader

Social Care Top 30 Award 2022 finalist

Care Home Professional Power List 2022

Nursing Times Workforce Awards 2022 finalist

NACC Awards 2022 winner - Care Establishment of the Year

Care Home Awards 2022 winner - Outstanding Larger Care Provider

Health Investor Award 2022 winner - Residential Care Provider of the Year

UK Employee Experience 2022 Awards - Best Use of Digital Technologies

Public Sector Catering Awards 2022 finalists - Care Catering AND Chef of the Year

Caring UK Awards 2021 winner

National Care Awards 2021 winner - Care Home of the Year

LaingBuisson Award 2001 winner - Residential Care Provider of the Year

LaingBuisson Award 2021 winner - Property Developer of the Year

Care Home Awards 2021 winner - Best Larger Care Home Group

National Association of Care Catering Awards 2021 winner - Catering Team of the Year

National Apprenticeship Awards 2021 finalist

Public Sector Catering Awards 2021 winner - Catering Manager of the Year

Social Care Top Leaders Awards 2021 finalist

Care Home Professional Power List 2021

UK Employee Experience 2021 Awards Bronze Winner - Employee Training and Development, Empowering Programme

Dementia Hero Awards 2021 finalist - Professional Excellence

Health Investor Awards 2021 finalist - Residential Care Provider of the Year AND Property Developer of the Year

Care Home Awards 2020 winner - Best Larger Care Home Group

LaingBuisson Awards 2020 finalist

National Association of Care Catering Awards 2020 finalist

Skills for Care Accolades 2020 winner - Best Employer Support for Your Registered Manager AND Most Effective Approach to Leadership and Management

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