On the 17th of January we celebrated the tremendous achievement of attaining the Investors in People (IIP) Platinum award. At the event in Malone House, we welcomed guests including keynote speaker Sean Holland, Chief Social Work Officer, Department of Health, and special guest Heather Cousins, Deputy Secretary Higher Education and Investment Group at Department for the Economy NI, representatives from across the social care sector and Cedar employees. Compère Sarah Travers led the event.

We are the very first organisation in the Social Care Sector to achieve Platinum Accreditation and are the highest scoring organisation in this Sector in the United Kingdom. Incredibly, only two other organisations in Northern Ireland have achieved this high level of accreditation. The IIP awards recognised the commitment we have made to staff development stating: “It is clear to see how staff are at the very heart of the organisation’s success.”

Guided by the IIP Framework, we developed ‘Our People Strategy’ to create an inclusive, inspiring environment, to enable employees reach their full potential, reflect the values of the organisation in their daily practice, and to feel part of a supportive and high performing team.    

Speaking at the event Stephen Mathews (CEO, Cedar) outlined the journey to platinum status.

Stephen said:

“The achievement of Platinum accreditation is a recognition of the exceptional staff teams across Cedar. It demonstrates that we are all committed to work to the highest professional standards.”

Sean Holland, reflected on our work, saying:

“I was delighted to participate in today’s event, Cedar’s commitment to developing its people is to be commended. It underpins the development of a highly skilled and competent staff team committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for their service users.”

Sean Holland went on to present certificates to staff for achieving professional development qualifications in the Health and Social Care, Management and Leadership and Coaching and Mentoring. Heather Cousins, presented certificates to those that attained a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching, Level 7 CIPD and Foundation Diploma in Supported Employment. 

On presenting a number of certificates in teaching practice Heather Cousins commented,

“My warmest congratulations to today’s certificate recipients, it is important to recognise their hard work and personal endeavour, which undoubtedly made an important contribution to Cedar’s achievement of the IIP Platinum award.”

Professor Maurice Mulvenna, the Chair of Cedar’s Executive Committee brought the occasion to a close stating

“My thanks to everyone who have helped Cedar achieve this level of accreditation, our staff team, service users and colleagues and funders in the various Departments. I hope today’s event highlights our commitment to the effective development of our people in enabling Cedar to achieve its vision of an inclusive society for all.”

We would like to thank everyone involved in the assessment process. We would also like to congratulate out staff members of their fantastic achievements. We will continue to champion the professional development of staff and cultivation of a supportive work culture. You can follow Cedar on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.