Strategic Report
How we achieved it
Staff were committed to providing education, therapies and care throughout the pandemic
Our people National Star and its services are only as good as the people it employs. That is why the charity is committed to attracting, developing and retaining talented, committed and highly–skilled staff. Without those staff, National Star cannot meet its strategic aim of providing and developing high quality services. During the pandemic, that investment in staff was even more critical to ensure they had the support they needed to work in very challenging situations. The charity would not have been able to support those most in need without the staff’s commitment. This dedication was recognised with the 2021 Gloucestershire Business Award for Team of the Year. The judges paid tribute to National Star’s exceptional teamwork, commitment and flexibility, which has enabled the charity to maintain high levels of customer care and service every day, throughout the pandemic. The charity has 1,091 staff (as of 31 August 2021), many of whom are part–time or term–time staff, representative of and drawn from the surrounding local communities, with 7% declaring a disability and 15% declared as non–white British or black and minority ethnic, which was in line with the charity’s Equality and Diversity targets. The gender split is 76% female and 24% male. National Star is committed to training and development, with all our staff undertaking a detailed induction programme and follow–up training. In 2020 – 2021, our dedicated training team provided more than 20,000 hours of training and development. The team rapidly developed online training courses and virtual training programmes in response to the pandemic. There are 64 apprentices being trained in care, therapy and nursing. National Star has an open policy in seeking and encouraging staff views. Results from a comprehensive staff survey, which was completed by 54% of the workforce in July 2021, reflected that staff take pride in their work and their role within the organisation, 22
feel supported and valued, and would recommend it to others as a place of work. The survey revealed that 96% of staff are proud to work for National Star and 93% take pride in their work and doing their best. The survey also included a few pandemic–focused questions. We received 91% positive responses to the question that asked if senior managers had handled the pandemic well and 90% positive responses that the regular communications were clear and from a trustworthy source. All staff are represented through the LINK Group, an elected staff consultation group working with and for staff across the organisation. The charity’s whistleblowing policy and procedures also encourages staff to raise any concerns they may have. Directors engage with staff through the governance structure. The Board of Governors has delegated oversight responsibility for the operational aspects of National Star’s activities. We operate an Equal Opportunities policy in respect of all employees and prospective employees. The charity maintains fair employment practices in the recruitment, selection, retention and training of all staff. All staff are subject to necessary Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and safeguarding training. Inspection outcomes by local authorities, Ofsted, Estyn and the Care Quality Commission confirm that the processes and people are in place to maintain a very high standard of provision.
96%
of staff said they were proud to work at National Star*.
20,000+ training hours given to our staff.
*based on National Star staff survey 2021
National Star Foundation Annual Report and Accounts 2020 – 2021
