A Sutton school has won a prestigious award recognising how it helps provide a friendly working environment for staff members who are also carers.
The Shrubbery, which is Sutton’s longest-established independent school, won the award for Carer Friendly Employer in a scheme organised by Forward Carers, which aims to improve the overall wellbeing of carers across the region.
Shrubbery staff member Sarah Stafford nominated the school for the award, because of the way it has supported her strike a positive balance between her work and caring for husband Adrian, who has progressive MS.
Sarah said: “I’m so happy that the Shrubbery has won this award, because the school is so supportive of my caring responsibilities.
“They recognise that coming out to work is important to me but that sometimes I need the flexibility to change days or hours or to work from home.
“This means I feel less stressed about balancing work and caring. I know that my work is valued as is my caring role, and I feel like I could ask for help if I needed it, which is not something I find very easy to do as a carer.
“One in ten people in the UK are in some kind of caring role, and I think it’s vital that businesses support them in the way that the Shrubbery supports me.”
Headteacher Amanda Lees joined Sarah to pick up the award at an event in Birmingham last week.
She said: “The Shrubbery is dedicated to providing a friendly, caring and supportive environment for our entire school community, from pupils and their parents to teachers and staff.
“We recognise the hugely important role caring plays in the lives of so many people and we were delighted to be recognised for our approach to supporting carers.”
Pictured: The Shrubbery School pick up the award for Carer Friendly Employer
