What are companies doing with regards to 'Personal Growth'

In addition, RCHL internal trainers make arrangements to customise workshops for individual staff teams and groups to best reflect their needs. Staff may also identify specific external courses that meet a particular need and arrangements are made for individuals to attend for example, National Assistive Technology/Telecare training, Developing Outcome monitoring. They are currently piloting a number of e-learning programmes focusing on core mandatory training, to ensure staff are regularly updated, for example Fire safety, Food Hygiene, Manual Handling Staff that wish to undertake an NVQ qualification in Care must have completed all the relevant induction and developmental training before they will be considered to undertake an NVQ with RCHL. The delivery of NVQs to staff is subject to funds received from the external providers. However, funding the Leadership & Management in Care (LMC) (formerly known as the Registered Managers Award) and NVQ4 in Care will be a priority for the organisation. RCHL also supports and funds the Learning Disability Qualification accredited via the Open College Network, the Leadership in Management and NVQ4 in Care qualifications. For staff who already hold an NVQ Level 2 in Care and wish to progress onto the Level 3. This will be subject to the scheme manager's approval in line with the service development plan. All successful applicants will be given support and guidance for attainment of their care qualification from their approved LSC training provider. Senior Management Team continue to source funding opportunities, with the support of external providers and are committed to staff gaining an appropriate qualification that will meet the organisation's core values and CQC requirements. RCHL are also a recognised training Centre with the Open College Network and have reached the highest standards enabling reassessment to be every two years.

In addition, RCHL internal trainers make arrangements to customise workshops for individual staff teams and groups to best reflect their needs. Staff may also identify specific external courses that meet a particular need and arrangements are made for individuals to attend for example, National Assistive Technology/Telecare training, Developing Outcome monitoring. They are currently piloting a number of e-learning programmes focusing on core mandatory training, to ensure staff are regularly updated, for example Fire safety, Food Hygiene, Manual Handling Staff that wish to undertake an NVQ qualification in Care must have completed all the relevant induction and developmental training before they will be considered to undertake an NVQ with RCHL. The delivery of NVQs to staff is subject to funds received from the external providers. However, funding the Leadership & Management in Care (LMC) (formerly known as the Registered Managers Award) and NVQ4 in Care will be a priority for the organisation. RCHL also supports and funds the Learning Disability Qualification accredited via the Open College Network, the Leadership in Management and NVQ4 in Care qualifications. For staff who already hold an NVQ Level 2 in Care and wish to progress onto the Level 3. This will be subject to the scheme manager's approval in line with the service development plan. All successful applicants will be given support and guidance for attainment of their care qualification from their approved LSC training provider. Senior Management Team continue to source funding opportunities, with the support of external providers and are committed to staff gaining an appropriate qualification that will meet the organisation's core values and CQC requirements. RCHL are also a recognised training Centre with the Open College Network and have reached the highest standards enabling reassessment to be every two years.

St Wilfrids participate in activities promoted by the Dying Matters coalition which aims to promote increased awareness of the need to discuss issues relating to end of life and encourage everyone to plan for this and discuss their wishes and plans with their loved ones. An additional campaign was launched by Help the Hospices this October and Hospice Awareness Week was marked here by an open afternoon with the theme 'Be Surprised'. This event was held to promote better understanding of hospice care as well as encourage members of the public to discuss end of life issues.

St Wilfrids participate in activities promoted by the Dying Matters coalition which aims to promote increased awareness of the need to discuss issues relating to end of life and encourage everyone to plan for this and discuss their wishes and plans with their loved ones. An additional campaign was launched by Help the Hospices this October and Hospice Awareness Week was marked here by an open afternoon with the theme 'Be Surprised'. This event was held to promote better understanding of hospice care as well as encourage members of the public to discuss end of life issues.

Staff are able to access corporate membership of the local leisure centre and this is very popular with individuals. The increased flexibility around working hours helps staff use these leisure facilities and a number of staff exercise, before, during and after work. The organisation pays for level one of the Simply Health scheme, a cash back health savings scheme. They have also introduced a counselling service for staff which provides for up to six free counselling sessions for staff. Pembrokeshire Housing Association have entered into a contract with a local Occupational Health service which provides valuable advice to help support staff remain in, and return to work during illness.

Pembrokeshire Housing Association has held IIP status for over 10 years, and despite growing considerably over the past 3 years, they continue to meet this standard. They are active supporters of L&D and took the decision to appoint two apprentices in 2010. In addition to this they recruited a Trainee Accountant and are committed to supporting them through their ACCA accreditation. Pembrokeshire Housing Association provides support in terms of time off, payment of professional subscription fees, course materials, travel expenses and exam fees. In addition to this, the organisation has study leave for assignments/exams. Pembrokeshire Housing Association have recently been awarded Platinum status by the ACCA due to their commitment and support for learning and development. For those staff who show commitment to their personal development, the Housing Association pay a Learning and Development supplement if they are successful in obtaining a qualification that is not an essential requirement of their role.

We will issue this survey to bench mark oursleves against like for like organisations, looking at the things we do well and areas of improvement.

The organisation recently won Student Union of the Year and Northumbria Student Union rewarded their staff with a celebration party. This celebration party highlights the hard work that has been put in by their officers, staff and volunteers alike over many years and how exceptional their Student Union really is. This celebration party recognised Northumbria Student Union's ability to deliver for their members and renewed excitement about how they will excel in the future.

Norcare Limited has a staff forum and a communication group meeting which allows employees to share ideas and best practice. Norcare also provides staff with the opportunity to raise issues through a confidential blog. Points are noted by the Senior Management Team and the Chief Executive and where required action will be taken.

During the past 12 months, Norcare have held 3 'Big Team Events attended by all Norcare employees. They were: October 2010 - The Big Team Event, June 2011 - Securing our Future, October 2011 - Our People Making A Difference.

As a publically funded organisation NHS Improvement is not permitted to spend taxpayers' money on the provision of social events for staff.

NHS Improvement offers up to nine staff per annum the opportunity to attend and (if selected to present a poster) a major international healthcare improvement conference - this includes funding for travel and accommodation. Staff are required to make a presentation to share their learning to colleagues following their return thereby sharing international news and developments in the field of healthcare. In addition, news and updates of successful initiatives and staff achievements are communicated via the fortnightly staff bulletin, monthly national team meetings and the website in order to recognise staff, to celebrate their success and to share learning.

All staff are contractually obliged to participate in the annual appraisal process and are required as part of peformance review to undertake a minimum of 30 hours of CPD each year. This continues to develop the individual and maintain their subject or relevant area currency. The college appraisal scheme is designed to encourage the member of staff to reflect on their personal contribution each year, to set measurable objectives linked to the development of their area and future business objectives and to identify their training needs which enable the achievement of the objectives. This ensures currency for staff, improves the individual's market worth whilst meeting organisational objectives. Subject and Operational Managers identify the development needs for their areas based on their objectives for the operating cycle. As part of induction, individual training needs are identified for new members of staff. Core competencies are set by the college and new staff are assessed against these to identify early needs.

All staff are contractually obliged to participate in the annual appraisal process and are required as part of peformance review to undertake a minimum of 30 hours of CPD each year. This continues to develop the individual and maintain their subject or relevant area currency. The college appraisal scheme is designed to encourage the member of staff to reflect on their personal contribution each year, to set measurable objectives linked to the development of their area and future business objectives and to identify their training needs which enable the achievement of the objectives. This ensures currency for staff, improves the individual's market worth whilst meeting organisational objectives. Subject and Operational Managers identify the development needs for their areas based on their objectives for the operating cycle. As part of induction, individual training needs are identified for new members of staff. Core competencies are set by the college and new staff are assessed against these to identify early needs.

The company have undertaken a number of opportunities to provide face to face contact and the opportunity for colleagues to ask questions and get answers as well as providing general feedback and input. One example of this is the lunch bag sessions run by the Chief Executive to involve all colleagues in the future direction of the Group. A number of departments have also run drop in sessions, such as ICT and Learning and Development to encourage individuals to resolve queries and get to know internal colleagues, other teams such as Finance are planning to follow suit. The company find that by offering flexible opportunities to come and ask questions in a local setting will encourage more colleagues to get involved with Group activities. In addition for those colleagues who may not want to contribute in a face to face setting they carry out a number of ad hoc surveys internally throughout the year on a variety of topics.

The company provide a wide range of learning opportunities to suit different people's needs from e-learning to work shadowing and from external seminars and conferences to a comprehensive internal training programme. In addition to this they have a range of Leadership programmes that aim to take someone through basic management skills through to Senior Management development through the development of key leadership competencies. They have recently started running career coaching sessions and Learning and Development drop in sessions to provide more guidance and support to people on which of the available opportunities are the most appropriate for them.

Kaizen works towards high expectations of both adults and children. To ensure the team is driving towards success they carefully recognise and reward individual's efforts. An example of where this is most effective is their extending schools provision - after school clubs. Adults who take on the responsibility of running an after school club are expected to organise, plan, manage the resources, including a small budget and run the club out of their normal working hours. Adults who take up this opportunity have professional support with planning and organisation if needed. This additional responsibility is rewarded by one day's paid leave which can be taken at any point throughout the school year. By introducing this reward Kaizen have found that it encourages more adults to step up and lead an after school provision which in turn means that they can offer a wide variety of out of hours learning opportunities to the children.

The best example of how the organisation supports employee development is through Kaizen's ‘Professional Learning Framework'. This document was created collaboratively to establish ways of working, for all staff, at all levels, in order to take ownership of and direct their own learning through the support and coaching of their line manager. A key part of Kaizen's support comes from utilising staff skills and strengths to support those who need help in particular areas. This often takes the form of observing other staff members at work, work shadowing or team teaching, with reflection taking a vital role between the two members. They carefully plan the outcomes of their partnership and evaluate the impact of their work together to shape future learning. Kaizen develop coaching skills with all staff, as well as having allocated staff members as designated coaches. Staff attend a range of external courses for a range of purposes in order to develop the individual and the school. This has seen staff training internationally in the USA, France and China, which they then used to impact the organisation. Courses closer to home have also proved beneficial. Kaizen find other organisations that have strengths to match their areas of development or to stimulate their thinking and visit, observe and share learning with them. By using the self directed nature of the ‘Professional Learning Framework', staff not only feel they are supported in their development, but it creates a positive environment for staff to be a part of.

Jewish Care is doing a piece of work called the strategy review. The aim of the project is to hear from everyone, especially staff about what they think Jewish Care should do in the future and develop a strategy. Staff know what works and what doesn't, as well as what might be missing and what else could be done. Simon Morris, the Leader, is passionate about the rights and respects that should be afforded to people less able than themselves and their ability to make a real difference to people's lives. He is a principled, kind and hardworking individual who leads by example. The complexity of leading an organisation like Jewish Care that works in so many different areas and includes 1000 staff, 2500 volunteers and has a budget of £46m a year, should not be underestimated. Simon however remains approachable, honest and down to earth. He leads the organisation in a transparent way with total commitment to the values, while staying in touch with his roots and retaining his humility, sense of humour and open-mindedness.

They organise a quarterly new staff lunch where the CEO seeks feedback and ideas from staff who have joined Jewish Care recently. There are also Ask Simon postcards where staff can get in touch with the CEO to make suggestions, give feedback or ask questions. There are also tea and chat sessions where the CEO visits care homes and community centres to chat to staff and volunteers about issues they may have. Since the last survey they have implemented many changes. They have launched their Benefits You booklet giving details of the benefits they offer to all staff, together with their 2011 Reward Statement and have communicated information about bench marked salaries. They have shared results with teams and managers and launched a new leadership award for the manager with the best ‘My Manager' scores - the winner received £500 to use towards their own career development. They are also currently planning a 'not so new' staff lunch for longer serving employees to have lunch with the CEO.