Our chartermarks
Mindful employer
Mindful Employment is a charter mark for employers who are positive about mental health.
As an employer we recognise that:
- People who have mental health issues may have experienced discrimination in recruitment and selection procedures. This may discourage them from seeking employment.
- Whilst some people will acknowledge their experience of mental health issues in a frank and open way, others fear that stigma will jeopardise their chances of getting a job.
- Given appropriate support, the vast majority of people who have experienced mental ill health continue to work successfully as do many with ongoing issues.
As an employer we aim to:
- Show a positive and enabling attitude to employees and job applicants with mental health issues. This will include positive statements in local recruitment literature.
- Ensure that all staff involved in recruitment and selection are briefed on mental health issues and The Equality Act 2010, and given appropriate interview skills.
- Make it clear in any recruitment or occupational health check that people who have experienced mental health issues will not be discriminated against and that disclosure of a mental health problem will enable both employee and employer to assess and provide the right level of support or adjustment.
- Not make assumptions that a person with a mental health problem will be more vulnerable to workplace stress or take more time off than any other employee or job applicant.
- Provide non-judgemental and proactive support to individual staff who experience mental health issues.
- Ensure all line managers have information and training about managing mental health in the workplace.
Visit the Mindful Employer website for further information.
Positive about disabled people
We have a positive attitude towards job applications from disabled people.
As an employer we aim to:
- To interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and to consider them on their abilities.
- To discuss with disabled employees, at any time but at least once a year, what both parties can do to make sure disabled employees can develop and use their abilities.
- To make every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment.
- To take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make these commitments work.
Find out more information about our positive about disabled people symbol.
NHS Rainbow Badge Scheme
As part of our commitment to being a diverse and inclusive employer and care provider, we signed up to the national rainbow badge scheme in October 2019.
The badge is a special rainbow edition of the NHS logo. Badges are handed to NHS staff who have pledged to reduce inequalities and provide support and signposting to LGBT+ people. By signing up, we are showing that our Trust offers open, non-judgmental and inclusive support and care for all, regardless of how people identify themselves.
Find out more about the scheme.
Cyber Essentials Plus
The Trust was awarded both the ‘Cyber Essentials’ and ‘Cyber Essentials PLUS’ accreditations in September 2020. Cyber Essentials is a Government scheme developed by the National Cyber Security Centre and few NHS Trusts have attained this level of assurance. Our Cyber Security and IT teams have worked hard to achieve the accreditation, which assures that we have advanced cyber security controls and can tackle the majority of the most common cyber-attacks, such as phishing, ransomware and password and network hacks. Importantly, this is ultimately about the safety and protection of our patients and service users.