Carer Positive was launched in 2014 as a Scottish Government Initiative and is delivered by Carers Scotland. Carer Positive encourages and assists employers to support carers in the workplace and rewards those that do with a nationally recognised award.

With as many as one in eight of the workforce estimated to be juggling work with caring responsibilities, employers are increasingly recognising the need to support and retain employees who are carers.

To be awarded Carer Positive status, organisations must demonstrate how they meet criteria in five key areas including identification of carers, enhanced carer policies, peer and practical support and communication and training.

Bill Banks, Kingdom Group chief executive, said: “One of Kingdom’s strategic objectives is to be an employer of choice so I’m delighted that we’ve been recognised as a Carer Positive Employer by Carers Scotland. We’re committed to doing all we can to recognise and accommodate the needs of colleagues across the board and that includes those with caring responsibilities. We recognise the benefits that a supportive workplace can bring and our flexible working strategy enables our people to manage the dual roles of working and caring.

“Over the last two years we have spent a lot of time implementing our culture change programme and this latest award recognises elements of the great work implemented across the organisation by management and staff. Special recognition should go to Andrew Latto, our interim director of HR, our HR colleagues and Helen Dickson, our health and well-being officer who have been instrumental in promoting and implementing people initiatives.

“The current COVID-19 restrictions have highlighted that all our staff have different needs and our various programmes have been very well received by staff, making a positive contribution to well being, learning and development programmes.”

Sue McLintock, manager carer positive, Carers Scotland, added: “We are delighted to congratulate Kingdom Housing Association on becoming recognised as a Carer Positive employer. The organisation has demonstrated a genuine commitment to supporting staff with caring responsibilities and this is embedded through its policies and practice. We welcome their participation in this initiative and have no doubt that this support will go from strength to strength as they progress on their Carer Positive journey.”