The First UK Hospice to Achieve the Inclusive Employers Standard (Bronze)

The Inclusive Employers Standard is a robust evidence-based inclusion accreditation run by Inclusive Employers. This process has helped us understand more about where we are in our inclusion journey and identify key areas of focus to help us develop in the future.

Antoinette Bell, Director of People & Resources at Martin House Children’s Hospice, said:

“We are incredibly proud to be the first hospice in the UK to achieve the Inclusive Employers Standard (bronze). This milestone recognises the dedication of our entire team to building an inclusive, compassionate culture that reflects the values we hold at the heart of Martin House.

We know that inclusion is a journey, not a destination and this accreditation shows that we are not only committed to that journey but leading the way in our sector.”

To gain this accreditation we were required to provide a detailed overview of our inclusion activities in line with the six pillars of inclusion framework. This submission was then assessed against evidence-based criteria. Our action-focused feedback identified some key areas that we can further develop to enhance our culture of belonging and inclusion further. We are especially delighted with the positive comments we received about our approach to:

• Embedding an inclusive culture across all roles, with accessible training and thoughtfully adapted policies for all staff.
• Communicating consistently and clearly about inclusion, with leadership actively involved and messages shared across multiple channels.
• Delivering high-quality, inclusive training for all staff, achieving a 100% completion rate and linking learning to annual appraisals.
• Empowering our people through meaningful recognition, such as our “House Heroes” initiative, and opportunities to shape inclusion events.
• Evaluating progress through both new starter and exit feedback, ensuring our strategies are responsive and grounded in real experiences.
• Sharing our expertise and learning across the sector, including national contributions to toolkits and active participation in professional networks.
• Active external collaboration and leadership, sharing expertise across the sector and contributing to national toolkits on inclusion and neurodiversity.

Emily Pattinson, Senior Inclusive Employers Standard Programme Lead, Inclusive Employers, comments:

“We’re incredibly proud that Martin House has shown a clear commitment to building an inclusive culture and has achieved a Bronze accreditation in what can feel like an overwhelming time for inclusion and diversity work, organisations like Martin House are part of driving meaningful change.

By seeking to understand their inclusion development Martin House demonstrates to others in their sector that they are prioritising their people and creating a culture of impactful inclusion.”

More information about the Inclusive Employers Standard and how to get involved is available via the Inclusive Employers Website here.