North Star is the first Housing Association in England to receive Investors in People Platinum, and is one of the elite 0.5% of companies in the UK to be accredited with the highest award for people management and leadership.
Platinum is the highest level that Investors in People (IIP) award an organisation and the IIP Assessment Report describes North Star as demonstrating ‘exemplary practice in many areas’ and a ‘values-driven organisation’ with ‘strong leadership that constantly reflects on the future’.
The IIP Assessment Report revealed that 96% of staff feel that they have the ability to develop and grow, with a responsibility to try new things and seek ways to improve what North Star does for the tenants in the community, and a staggering 99% of staff felt that the organisation has a future plan to ensure continued success.
Angela Lockwood, Chief Executive of North Star, was delighted with the award: “We are thrilled to receive the Platinum Award; it’s a great testament to the cultural change process we have undertaken at North Star. We adopted a shared leadership model where we have strong relationships and high levels of trust. This award validates all of our hard work.”
The IIP Assessment Report noted that North Star is very much a ‘values-driven organisation and involvement was found to be a central theme of the organisational culture’. The report also highlighted how North Star focuses on people development with each staff member accessing ‘a wide range of development activities that supported both individual and team development’ such as ‘learning circles, peer learning as well as coaching and mentoring’.
North Star’s community focus was also a feature of the report: ‘North Star is strongly aware of its connection with the local community – with staff describing it as not being linked to the community but rather being part of the community.
Carol Pearson, Chair of North Star’s Tenant Scrutiny Panel says “North Star don’t just do things for us, they do things with us which is what makes them so unique.”
Investors in People is the international standard for people management, defining what it takes to lead, support and manage people effectively to achieve sustainable results.
Steve Burrows, Managing Director of Investors in People North of England delivered by IDG, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for North Star and I would like to congratulate all of the team. We believe that your people make the difference and by investing in them you are looking to create sustainable success. IIP is designed to help organisations and their people to realise potential, providing a simple road map for excellence. With its fantastic Platinum accreditation, North Star is certainly working to realise its people potential.”