The prestigious accreditations follow a comprehensive independent assessment process, which included employee feedback and a detailed review of Hillcrest’s people practices, leadership and organisational culture.

Investors in People is recognised internationally as a leading standard for people management, helping organisations improve performance through effective leadership and staff engagement and development. Gold accreditation is awarded to organisations that demonstrate high levels of people management and workplace excellence, with only around 45% of assessed organisations achieving Gold status or above.

Investors in Young People, developed in Scotland, recognises employers that excel in attracting, developing and retaining young talent. The framework supports organisations to create meaningful opportunities for young people while strengthening future workforce development and organisational sustainability.

The move from IIYP Silver to IIYP Gold reflects Hillcrest’s strong commitment to supporting young people through employment, training and development opportunities, while ensuring colleagues at every stage of their career are empowered to succeed.

Lesley Don, Hillcrest’s director of corporate services, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have retained our Investors in People Gold accreditation and to have progressed to Investors in Young People Gold.

“These achievements belong to all of our colleagues. The assessment process gave us an important opportunity to hear directly from our people and I would like to thank everyone who took part in the survey and wider assessment process.

“Achieving these accreditations demonstrates our commitment to creating an inclusive and positive workplace. It recognises the strength of our leadership, and our investment in developing and supporting our people.

“Our values and strong workplace culture help ensure we continue to deliver excellent outcomes for the people and communities we serve.”

The assessments highlighted Hillcrest’s people-centred approach, strong organisational values and ongoing investment in learning, development and employee wellbeing. The accreditations also reinforce the organisation’s commitment to listening to colleagues and continuously improving the employee experience.

Lesley added: “There is always something to learn, and we will use the valuable feedback received during the assessment to keep improving and moving forward.”

Investors in Young People was launched to help employers attract, recruit, develop and retain young people, recognising that nurturing future talent is critical to long-term organisational success. The framework encourages organisations to create supportive environments where young people can develop skills, build careers and reach their full potential.