Sharon Platts, Chief People Officer, Outcomes First Group, a specialist provider of education, therapeutic care and fostering services, discusses the importance of workplace culture.
Everyone at Outcomes First Group (OFG) was thrilled to learn that we had been ranked a winner in the UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Women Awards 2022, in the Super Large Category, for the second consecutive year. A fair and inclusive workplace culture for all, is top of our agenda, and we are really proud of all our team. Equality is very important to us and we have a strong focus on the wellbeing of our workforce, as well as supporting and empowering all our colleagues.
Like many businesses in our sector, we rely on female employees in all areas of the organisation. We recognise women as a valuable talent pool and they are given fair representation within the workforce and throughout management. Approximately 70% of our 5,500 strong workforce are female, which is replicated in our management population, with women taking up a similar number of management roles across all disciplines throughout the business.
The Best Workplaces™ for Women Awards results are based on an anonymous survey. All female employees score and comment on their workplace experience and how well represented they are in the workforce and management. With the aim to create fair access and advancement for all, these awards help to encourage businesses to consider their employees’ working conditions, place positive value on differences to help ensure people aren’t discriminated against, and foster a sense of value and empowerment in employees.
The judges recognised Outcomes First Group as a great workplace ‘for all’, including women, with a high level of trust between employees. We were also commended for supporting the different identities women hold and enabling them to reach their full human potential. Our workforce reported consistently positive daily experiences, no matter who they are or what work they do.
Outcomes First Group has also been ranked a winner in the Great Place to Work Awards for the past four consecutive years.
Having our organisation recognised as being a Great Workplace for Women, matters to me as it reaffirms Outcomes First Group’s guiding principle – to create a culture that is fair for all, and one in which we care for each other. This recognition clearly shows the positive impact of our culture as the results directly reflect how our employees feel. As a result, we are better able to empower, inspire and support women from every background, encouraging them to develop professionally and personally, and in turn, contribute to our ongoing success.
We will continue to make sure that everybody is equally represented in our organisation.
We are passionate about employing dedicated caring individuals and are always looking for new people to join our exemplary team – in education, care, clinical professional support, social work and a whole range of support function roles – all of whom play a vital part in the success of Outcomes First Group.
As a leading specialist provider of education, therapeutic care and fostering services, we believe in transforming lives for the better, embracing communities and working together to help children, young people and adults, dream big and achieve more. Our vision is to build incredible futures for vulnerable children, young people and adults and empower them to make their way in the world.
To learn more about Outcomes First Group or to apply to join the team please visit https://careers.outcomesfirstgroup.co.uk/
