Housing 21 shortlisted for The Investors in People Awards

Housing 21 is celebrating their recent success in the 2019 Investors in People Awards shortlist. The leading not-for-profit provider of Retirement Housing and Extra Care for older people of modest means, will be up against Swiis Foster Care Scotland, Pioneering Care Partnership, Barod and Cardinal Santos Medical Center at the awards ceremony on Tuesday 19 November.

Housing 21 supports independence and choice for older people through providing quality housing and care, managing over 20,000 properties and providing over 42,000 hours of social care each week.

Despite the fact that care is an incredibly challenging role, which requires absolute integrity and commitment, many Care Workers are on minimum wage and have no job security due to the use of zero-hour contracts. Having been a driving force in positive changes for Care Workers, Housing 21 introduced guaranteed hour contracts to boost staff retention, encourage new recruits into the care profession and combat the industry’s crippling skills gap. They also committed to paying their Care Workers at least 10% more than the National Living Wage to help attract and retain the best staff and provide the highest standard of care for their residents. 

Housing 21 has also made a positive impact for those living with dementia and their loved ones, just one of the many reasons for Housing 21 being shortlisted for the award. Extra Care provides a real alternative to residential care, enabling couples to continue living together, even if only one person requires care and support. The on-site care team are available 24/7 and provide tailored care to individual residents. Specialist design features throughout the Extra Care apartments and communal areas also enable residents to live independently for as long as possible.

Since achieving the Investors in People Gold accreditation in July 2018, the social housing provider are hoping to add the Third Sector Award to their list of achievements.

Sophia Nakhooda, Head of People & Strategy at Housing 21 said: “We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for this award, reflecting our continued commitment to invest in our people and their potential. Helping to give Care Workers the confidence to progress within their careers is something we are really passionate about. To be recognised as leading the way and to win this award would give us the recognition we need to become an employer of choice within our sector.”