West Midlands Police – Finalist 2021, Best for Carers and Eldercare

West Midlands Police’s carers support includes three days paid leave each year to care for a dependant, short-term flexible working and adjustment leave, which is a short time off to adjust to new caring responsibilities.

The organisation’s ‘Reasonable Adjustment Passport’, designed by EnAble Disability and Carers Staff Support Network Group, helps ensure the welfare of all staff members, including those with caring responsibilities. It encourages communication between managers and staff and paves the way for adjustments such as staggered shift patterns, flexi or agile working, and time off. A dedicated officer has been employed to oversee this scheme.

A confidential counselling service is always available, and staff drop-in sessions are provided to support all areas of caring. Fellow carers are available to offer guidance with paperwork, decision-making and general caring challenges.

The team also provides a ‘Buddies scheme’ where staff members can ask for somebody to talk to who will listen and signpost to other support channels.

In the latest employee survey, there was a 4.5% increase in satisfaction rates in response to reasonable adjustments, with over 80% of respondents reporting they were ‘very satisfied or satisfied’.

West Midlands Police has also seen an increase in the number of colleagues coming forward to make leaders aware that they need support with caring responsibilities.

Award sponsored by Crown Prosecution Service