Merton Council’s Chief Executive’s department is celebrating after being awarded Investors In People accreditation.
The assessment process began last December when an external assessor visited the Council to interview staff. The national award recognises that the department makes a commitment to train and develop its staff and to make sure that all staff have got the skills they need to do their jobs effectively. The Department also had to demonstrate that staff knew how they contributed to achieving the Council’s objectives and were kept informed about relevant developments.
Merton’s Head of Scrutiny and Policy, Diane Bailey, said; “We are very pleased to have achieved Investors In People status and it is thanks to the hard work of everyone at every level in the Chief Executives department that has got us to this stage. The key is not to sit back on our success but to keep pushing the department to continued success and a positive, efficient place to work. This benefits, not only the staff, but also the residents of Merton that they serve. “
Chief Executive, Roger Paine, said; “I am obviously delighted that my own department has reached this national standard. We joined two other Council departments, Environmental Services and Finance, who achieved it earlier this year. We have a council target of achieving Investors status for all departments by the end of 2002 and I am confident that the remaining two, Education, Leisure and Libraries and Housing and Social Services, will meet that.”
“The Council will then be one of only a small band of local authorities nationally who have achieved this for their total organisation. As an external affirmation of Merton Council as a good employer, this award presents a very positive image of the Council which I hope will add to our attraction as an employer.”
The Council offers staff a range of internal and external courses, which include IT courses or qualification training. Other development activities include shadowing, mentoring secondments, attending meetings, involvement in projects and working parties. The department also runs lunchtime seminars.