The Investors in People is a national quality standard which sets a level of good practice for improving an organisation’s performance through its people. The Good Practice Award is designed to recognise the work of organisations that have developed effective health and wellbeing strategies, ensuring activities are aligned to corporate objectives.
Speaking about the award, Eimear Rushe, HR manager at South West College said:
“Our overriding objective has been to build and sustain an environment that promotes and protects the wellbeing of all our staff across the college.
“At South West College we firmly believe in creating a culture which empowers staff to maintain their own health and wellbeing whilst also providing them with the opportunity to achieve their full potential, in return benefiting themselves, their colleagues and the college.”
Extensive research indicates that effective and proactive management of health and wellbeing can improve business performance by increasing productivity, reducing sickness and absenteeism and enhancing employee retention.
2013 marked the launch of the South West College health and wellbeing programme, which was rolled out across the college campuses in Cookstown, Dungannon, Enniskillen and Omagh and marketed with the strapline ‘So worth the care’, incorporating the South West College (SWC) prefix.
Activities and awareness raising campaigns within the programme have been based around the thematic areas of mental health, physical health and social health. A number of campus specific health champions were also chosen and a health and wellbeing online portal was launched, providing staff with a wealth of free information and advice on a range of health related topics.
Stephanie McCutcheon, Investors in People Specialist added:
“South West College acknowledges that staff are its most valuable asset and their health and wellbeing are extremely important.
“The approach to health and wellbeing is part of the College’s culture and this award is validation of the hard work and innovative thinking that is putting the health, safety and wellbeing of people firmly at a strategic level.”
South West College was first accredited as an Investors in People in June 2010, with the first Post Accreditation Review completed in June 2013. In April 2014, South West College was confirmed as a Grade 1 Outstanding College, which ranks it among the Top 4 within the 350 across the UK.