Leading UK care service provider is a RoSPA award winner

Company news

May 17, 2010

The RoSPA awards scheme is not only about reducing the number of accidents and cases of ill-health at work; it also encourages organisations to develop robust health and safety management systems. The award recognises Care UK’s deep commitment to improving health and safety and fire risk management for the protection of all its residents and staff.

John Johnson, the manager in charge, said the award was the result of two years of hard work and planning which has taken the company’s health and safety practice to a new level.

“Most consultants have made health and safety practice and analysis more and more complex – we chose to go the other way. We decided to make it as clear and simple as possible, without dumbing it down, so allowing all members of staff to really understand and participate in the process and practicalities.

“We then travelled to most of our homes, training staff and carrying out environmental audits. The result is that we have an incredibly high buy-in from our staff at all levels and that is crucial to the success of translating policy into practice.”

John Johnson, Health and Safety Manager with Francis Gibson, Director of Nursing, Clinical and Care Governance

John says that within the next two years he expects Care UK will become the industry leader, with the practices praised by RoSPA being rolled out across the organisation as a whole.

He said: “This is not just good news for residents, service users and staff but makes sound business sense, as local authorities are increasingly looking for the re-assurance of excellence in health and safety policy and practices.”

David Rawlins, RoSPA’s awards manager, said: “Care UK’s  residential care team has shown a commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its employees and others. Organisations which do this deserve to have such dedication recognised and that’s where the RoSPA awards come in.

“As well as there being clear ethical reasons and legal requirements for good health and safety management, there is also a strong business case. RoSPA is delighted to publicly honour organisations which have demonstrated their work to improve performance in this sphere.”

The Bronze award was presented at a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the National Exhibition Centre on Thursday 13 May. The ceremony took place alongside Safety and Health Expo 2010, Europe’s leading annual health and safety exhibition.