A statement from Sharifa Lakhani, Managing Director of Holmes Care Group
The tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on 25th May has left all of us at Holmes Care Group both shocked and saddened, but the protests that have followed this event around the world demonstrate the extent to which racial issues remain prevalent in our society. It is therefore more important than ever that organisations and individuals alike step up to address the issues that surround racial inequality and make an active commitment to equality and diversity.
At Holmes Care Group, we hold that the social care sector shares a responsibility with the NHS and other public services to uphold the values of anti‐racism and to create an environment where equality, inclusivity and respect can thrive. With this in mind, I wanted to take the time to share the policies Holmes Care Group has in place and the steps we are taking to ensure that this ethos is maintained across all our homes.
Founded in 1982 by the Lakhani family, Holmes Care Group holds care, inclusion, and unbiased support at our core. We are proud to run our organisation on the basis of a zero‐tolerance approach to discrimination, and are committed to providing equal opportunities at every level of our structure.
At Holmes Care we are deeply committed to upholding our Equal Opportunities Policy and Procedures, to ensure that all employment decisions are based on furthering the principle of equal employment opportunity. This policy is complemented by our Bullying and Harassment Policy, which ensures that all residents and team members are treated with dignity and respect. We have procedures in place to safeguard these values and to guarantee that any complaints of alleged discrimination or harassment are dealt with speedily and effectively, with thorough investigation and remedial action taken where necessary. This includes a Whistle Blowing Policy which ensures that any team members can raise concerns directly with me, in confidence and without fear of reprisal.
However, it is not enough that all our homes are free from discrimination and prejudice. At Holmes Care it our belief that diversity should be actively celebrated and respected in all its forms. For this reason, each new resident that joins a Holmes Care home has documentation completed on “What Matters to Me”, a movement first started by NHS Scotland. This allows team members to understand what is important to each individual who chooses a new home with us, and helps us to ensure that these values are upheld throughout. In line with this documentation, the religious and cultural beliefs of residents at all Holmes Care homes are both recognised and respected by all team members. This stands for all residents, including those with capacity and those diagnosed as “without capacity”.
These are just a few of the ways in which we endeavour to create an inclusive living and working environment for everyone associated with Holmes Care Group, and both our celebration of diverse cultures and belief systems and the policies that safeguard the rights of all individuals remain under constant review.
We commit to continuously reviewing everything we do to ensure that Holmes Care Group remains a company that allows mutual respect and diversity to flourish.
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Kind words from our residents and their families
