The council won the prestigious national award for its flexible and family-friendly policies at a special awards ceremony in London.

The award is given to progressive employers who appreciate the powerful links between flexibility and agile working, emotional engagement, well-being, and high-performance.

The council recognises that a significant number of employees are also parents or carers, with a high proportion living in West Dunbartonshire and is committed to offering working arrangements to allow maximum flexibility and support.

The introduction of family friendly policies has helped manage staff sickness with significant reduction in absence, lower recorded stress absences and a reduction in vacancies at the council.

West Dunbartonshire Council’s continuing commitment to being the best was clear to the judges in the steady progress made in its family friendly provision.

Sarah Jackson, chief executive of Working Families, said: “In many ways, flexible working and family friendly working have never been more part of the bloodstream of British business. We had a record-breaking number of entries for the Top Employers for Working Families Awards this year, showcasing a wealth of exciting approaches to creating agility in the workplace.

“Congratulations to West Dunbartonshire Council, winner of the Best Public Sector Employer Award, singled out because they offer a flexible workplace that supports the grain of their employees’ lives. I look forward to working with them and all the award winners to make work work, for people, families and the economy, so that families thrive and business prospers.”

Councillor Ian Dickson, convener of corporate services, said: “The council is dedicated to offering staff a range of flexible working options to help them have both a successful career while having quality time with family. This award is an outstanding achievement which fully recognises and highlights the great policies we have to support our dedicated workforce. Supporting our staff is integral to delivering our services, so it is fantastic that the council has met the top level of recognition for our support of employees with caring responsibilities.”

Councillor Iain McLaren, depute convener of corporate services, added: “Having caring responsibilities and working can be very stressful it is therefore vital that the Council does everything it can to support our staff in that position, and it is wonderful to hear the organisation being presented with an award for the great support we offer to our staff. I must congratulate everyone involved in helping us meet the criteria which is helping us make a difference to our dedicated staff.”

The council had also been recognised for ethos that supports social and emotional wellbeing of its staff by being awarded Scottish Top Public Sector Employer for Working Families earlier this year and was also shortlisted for the Carers UK Best for Carers and Eldercare award 2017.