Member Article

Grŵp Cynefin secures prestigious workplace accreditation

A leading housing association’s investment in staff training and development is boosting service to its tenants.

Grŵp Cynefin, which has been awarded the silver accreditation by Investors in People (IIP), has implemented a number of recommendations made by assessors during its first assessment in 2016.

The housing association has put 24 of its senior managers and team through leadership training in the last 12 months, with all members of the workforce provided with opportunities to upskill and cross skill.

It also put 25 of its employees through a specialised programme (Lean Six Sigma) to help recognise where the organisation can get more value for money and make processes slicker.

In addition, Grŵp Cynefin, which manages approximately 4,000 homes across North Wales and north Powys, embedded a behavioural framework to help benchmark and measure key behaviours including reducing waste and excellent customer service.

Grŵp Cynefin HR manager Gwenda Squire said: “Achieving the silver award from IIP is fantastic and is a clear sign we are supporting our employees.

“More importantly, it’s helping us to serve our tenants better. For example, the Lean Six Sigma programme has allowed for members of staff to provide cross departmental feedback with a fresh pair of eyes to help us work smarter to save time and money.

“We are able to use the time saved to identify ways in which we can improve and enhance tenant experiences.”

Formed in 1991 as a UK Government project, IIP is a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on improving standards and productivity at workplaces across the country for the benefit of staff.

A number of suggestions were made by IIP assessors on Grŵp Cynefin’s first visit, including the further development of leadership skills and implementation of an action plan.

Bryn Ellis, Grŵp Cynefin business services director, said: “It’s all about ownership. We have empowered the staff to make decisions and are also involving them in the decision-making process, such as engaging on the organisation’s Corporate Plan and holding group sessions with our chief executive.

“It will also assist with staff retention and recruitment as we are demonstrating a commitment and a passion to develop our people.”

According to Investors in People, only 15 per cent of organisations achieve the silver accreditation nationally.

Shan Lloyd Williams, Grŵp Cynefin chief executive, said the recognition was a reflection of the company’s progress in the last four years.

She said: “As an organisation, we pride ourselves on providing ‘More than Housing’ and this is evident in securing the Investors in People accreditation.

“Having happy and productive employees benefits our tenants and partners through improved communication and activity.

“We value the contribution of our hard-working staff and will continue to develop our teams moving forward.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .