The Churchill Group is delighted to announce it has signed up to the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant.
The covenant is a pledge taken by businesses to support women affected by domestic abuse to enter, remain or re-enter the workplace.
It is one of three introduced by the UK government and follows on from the Care Leavers Covenant and the Armed Forces Covenant.
We have recently received the Employer Recognition Scheme gold award from the Armed Forces Covenant, in recognition of the way in which we help veterans transition to work within facilities management. And signing up to the EDAC is another way we can support and give back to the communities in which we work.
For women who have suffered domestic abuse, access to employment is imperative to staying safe. Without a job, survivors are often unable to obtain safe and affordable housing, or money to provide for themselves and their children.
With the support of the UK government and the Department for Work and Pensions, the ultimate aim of this covenant is to enable organisations to identify flexible and sustainable opportunities for women to achieve long-term financial independence and economic security.
Although EDAC focuses on supporting women, who are disproportionately affected by abuse, it also works with a network of partners and organisations who support men and other marginalised groups.
Naomi Childe, the director of Churchill’s Chequers Contract Services, which provides everything from cleaning to property and grounds maintenance, said: ‘It is great for Churchill to be able to support the DWP’s efforts to help victims of abuse find new work opportunities.
‘It also enables us to diversify our workforce from a talented pool of women and raise awareness of domestic abuse.
’The covenant’s aims dovetail with the efforts we are already making to help to anyone who is homeless, unemployed, or searching for a new career path, back into work. We have a training centre in Croydon and another based in Arlington House, a mixed-use homeless hostel and conference centre in Camden, which offers support to those who are making the transition from homelessness to independent living.
‘And, as part of our joint venture with Renovo and One Housing, we currently work with Beam, a social enterprise that supports homeless people through job training and employment. Successful candidates are employed by our Renovo to provide service at One Housing sites and receive ongoing support and training.
‘This scheme has proved so successful we are looking forward to expanding it with the DWP and other partners.’