Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) is proud to have received the highest badge of honour from the Ministry of Defence in recognition of supporting the armed forces community.
The Trust has been awarded gold accreditation from the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) by Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin MP.
The award formally recognises EPUT as a forces-friendly employer that supports the recruitment of ex-armed forces personnel, members of the armed forces and their partners.
Armed forces personnel, including those who may be wounded, sick or injured, are not unfairly disadvantaged during Trust recruitment selection processes and policies are in place to support reservist employees fulfil training and mobilisation commitments.
The gold accreditation builds on the bronze and silver awards presented to the Trust last year and signing of the Armed Forces Covenant in November 2019.
The covenant represents a commitment to treating serving personnel, veterans and their families with fairness and respect and recognises the work of the Trust’s Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS) which supports ex-service men and women with mental health needs. The service aims to re-integrate service users into everyday life by helping them access therapies for anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sean Leahy, Executive Director of People and Culture at EPUT, said: “We are proud to have achieved this accreditation and of our commitment to the people of the armed forces community. As an employer we value their service and commitment to the Crown and will support colleagues in their obligations to the armed forces.”
David Powell, regional lead for TILS, is also an Army Cadet Force instructor. He said: “EPUT has always fully supported my commitments to our Army Cadets, enabling me to provide a great opportunity and experience for our young people without the worry of it conflicting with my role at the Trust.”
EPUT was one of 11 organisations across East Anglia to be awarded gold accreditation at a ceremony at the Honourable Artillery Company in London on 17 November.
To achieve the award, organisations must provide 10 extra paid days leave for reservists and have supportive HR policies in place for veterans, reserves, and Cadet Force adult volunteers, as well as spouses and partners of those serving in the armed forces.