The charity Les Amis has become the first charity in Jersey to achieve Gold status from Investors in People (IIP).
The charity, which provides essential care services to meet the needs of learning-disabled adults, prides itself on being a supportive employer that is like a family and a way of life for those who work there.
IIP accreditation is assessed every three years and before achieving Gold, Les Amis had held Silver status which it achieved in 2017 and kept despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the care sector. The charity is now one of only two organisations in Jersey with Gold status.
Denise Barham, Head of HR, said: “Service and people are at the very heart of our organisation, hence investing in our people is a top priority for Les Amis. Our ethos is about creating a friendly and supportive environment for our staff – one that provides them with a sense of making a real difference to the lives of learning-disabled Islanders. We are a community as well as an employer and service provider.”
Shaun Findlay, Managing Director, has been with Les Amis for over 15 years, said: “Over the years, we have built up a reputation for being a supportive employer. We are now an organisation of 150 people, and 41% have been with us for five years or more. An incredible 21% have worked at Les Amis between 10-20 years. Staff longevity certainly supports a sense of team stability, which for the residents and families whom we support translates to the continuity of care that they’ve come to value and rely on from Les Amis.”
IIP accreditation is recognised in 66 countries around the world and assesses organisations on their workplace culture including employee engagement, communication, organisational culture and work practices.
David Dale, International Specialist Consultant at IIP, remarked: “Investors in People have assessed over 50,000 organisations over the course of 30 years or so, and currently only 17% of those that have taken part in the accreditation process have achieved Gold, so it is fantastic for a Jersey charity like Les Amis to be recognised in this way.”
The main picture shows (left to right): Stewart Mourant MBE, Chair and Trustee of Les Amis Inc.; Shaun Findlay, Managing Director of Les Amis; and Paul Routier MBE, Non-Executive Director and Chair of Les Amis Limited and Trustee of Les Amis Inc.
