Supporting People Quality Assessment Framework

All our Supporting People Services are accredited against the Supporting People Quality Assessment Framework and hold either a C (threshold minimum), B (good) or A (outstanding) rating.  All services graded in the last year hold a B or A rating and we are actively and successfully working towards the A standard for all our services.

Care Quality Commission – Registered Provider ‘Star Ratings’

All our CQC Registered Care Homes hold either a 2 Star (Good) or 3 Star (Excellent) rating with our good services aiming for excellence in their next inspection.  Our domiciliary care services are also good or excellent with the recent inspections awarding the highest level possible (good) for a first time registration.

Investor in People (IiP)

The Investor in People award recognises the organisation’s commitment to investing in the learning, development and training of its workforce.  YOU has a dedicated Learning and Leadership Team which reflects our commitment to investing in our staff. We have held IiP Status continuously for 13 years and have recently not only achieved the new, top level, Gold Standard with one of the highest scores IiP have ever seen, but we have also been invited to be an IiP Champion - the first charity in England/Wales to gain the top accreditation.

Sunday Times 100 Best Employer

The Sunday Times 100 Best Employer listing recognises the top 100 best companies to work for in the UK.  This year we came 12th in the top 100 companies (public and charity sector). This represents a huge success for our workforce.

Best Companies

Being a best company goes beyond the bottom line. It's about excelling in every area throughout the workplace and an organisation's commitment to its most important assets - its workforce. Focusing on employees brings real benefits such as improved workplace engagement, better staff retention, reduced recruitment costs and greater financial performance. This year, YOU has been recognised as a 2 Star Status organisation – one of only 158 in the country!

Positive about Disabled People

The symbol is awarded by Jobcentre Plus to employers in England, Scotland and Wales who have made commitments to employ, keep and develop the abilities of disabled staff. You will see the symbol displayed on our job adverts, application forms and other marketing material.  We use this symbol to demonstrate that we are positive about employing disabled people and want to encourage disabled people to find out more about working with us.  Employers who use the disability symbol make five commitments regarding recruitment, training, retention, consultation and disability awareness.

Service User Seal of Excellence (SUSE)

The SUSE is an award given by service users to organisations and recognises excellent standards and services.  A large number of our Hampshire services now SUSE accredited with several of them scoring the highest possible marks in every category of the assessment.

Young Person’s CAT Mark

The CAT Mark is a stamp of approval for young people’s services. It is awarded by young people who assess services, organisations and projects against set conditions including:

• involving young people in all aspects of the service
• the safety, security and wellbeing of young people
• equal opportunities for all young people
• links to other services, signposting young people
• environment and resources of the provision

Federation Against Software Theft (FAST) – Silver Accreditation

The FAST mandate is to promote the efficient management and appropriate licensing of Software by End User Organisations through education and championing best practices in Software Asset Management.  YOU has signed up to promote best practice and, accordingly, holds FAST Silver Accreditation.

The News Business Excellence Awards

The News Business Excellence Awards celebrates the very best in the regions business each year across a wide range of categories.  We have consistently been recognised for our commitment and excellence in Portsmouth and, in 2009, won Team of the Year for the outstanding work of the Portsmouth Community Legal Advice Centre and Business Personality of the Year for our Chief Executive.

Business in the Community Awards

Business in the Community is a business-led charity advising, supporting and challenging businesses to create a sustainable future for people and the planet and to improve business performance.  In 2009, YOU won the Seiff Award and the Regional Award for it’s contribution to Business Partnership working – an award that was presented to our Chief Executive by Prince Charles and Lord Seiff.

Wessex Charity Awards

The Wessex Charity Awards aim to celebrate some of the outstanding achievements of charities working in Wessex.  In 2009, the first year that the awards were made, YOU was a finalist in the Charity CEO of the Year category and the Wessex Charity of the Year.

Portsmouth White Ribbon Partner

The White Ribbon Campaign supports the pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.  As a provider of domestic violence and abuse services in Portsmouth and Dorset and a provider of women’s services, we have marched through Portsmouth to raise awareness of this important issue.  White Ribbon Portsmouth welcomed YOU as a White Ribbon Partner on 25 November 2010.

Portsmouth Common Values Partnership

The Common Values Partnership (CVP) aims to encourage Portsmouth suppliers, contractors and other business partners to work together to adopt community based values which have a direct effect on the community in which we live and work.   In September 2004, we received Level 2 accreditation. Through the CVP, YOU is committed to:

• increasing employment opportunities through training and apprenticeship schemes
• adopting good employment practice
• working in partnership with the community at large
• implementing strategies to protect our environment
• bring about greater awareness within our business community in terms of racial awareness and equal opportunities

iESE Connecting People Award

Smart Living, our assistive technology service won the 2011 iESE (Improvement and Innovation South East) Connecting People award for its innovative work in using telecare solutions.  The award recognised YOU's commitment to connecting people with a learning disability and improving the quality of their life through the use of technology.