Corporate Social Responsibility Policy

People & Ethics

Leadership & Internal Communication

• We have a written structure in place for positive, clear, and regular communication
• We share our business goals with all staff in team meetings
• Regular staff meetings are held and minuted
• There is a written and spoken commitment to honesty and respect in communication, and this is monitored
• There is a written Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy in place
• There is a written Children and Adults at Risk Safeguarding Policy in place
• We have a system in place for internal communications using our WhatsApp group and team noticeboard
• We have created a Vision, Values and Purpose statement for the business which is clearly articulated, understood, and regularly repeated
• Each person has a written job description for their role
• There is a formal system in place for giving and receiving feedback

Patients & Suppliers

• We have a price list on display at reception and available on our website
• We obtain valid consent for all treatment
• We review of Audit of Disability Access on an annual basis and reasonable adjustments are made
• We have a system for gathering patient feedback which includes an annual patient survey and a comments box in reception
• Information leaflets are readily available in reception to help patients make informed decisions about treatment options
• We pay all suppliers are paid within their terms
• We use the Patient Satisfaction Poster to inform patients of changes made to the practice following their feedback

Team Development, Remuneration, Wellbeing

• We have identified the leadership skills required in the business and a development plan is in place
• We ensure that all new team members follow an induction programme
• We ensure that each team member has a written Personal Development Plan, which is reviewed and updated annually
• We carry out regular staff 1:1s
• Each team member receives the living wage as minimum
• Written criteria for financial and other rewards are communicated with all staff
• All team members are offered access to occupational health
• Contracts of employment or agreements are in place for all team members, kept up to date, and adhered to
• We retain key statutory documents (e.g., Proof of identification) in staff personnel files and keep them up to date using the Staff File Checklist
• We have a Staff Handbook in place containing policies and procedures in line with current employment law and ACAS guidance
• We make sure that team members understand how they are going to be developed and what the development track is for their role
• We carry out an annual salary review for all employed team members and increases are given where possible
• We offer non-financial benefits to the team
• A Flexible Working Application Policy is in place and flexible working patterns are encouraged

Environment & Sustainability

• We make sure that all lights, computers, and electronic devices are switched off when the practice is closed (apart from critical security lighting)
• No plastic bottled water is supplied at the practice and all single use items are bio-plastic or compostable (unless plastic is clinically required)
• Recyclable or washable cups are used throughout the building. We do not use disposable cutlery or plates
• We offer recycling of non-clinical waste on site (including paper, plastics, card, cans)
• Waste is separated in surgery so that clinical waste is minimised, and a licenced waste carrier is used with relevant Waste Transfer Notes supplied
• We only print when necessary and double-sided printing is always used (unless it is critical to use single sheets)
• We only use Fair Trade or Fairly Traded tea, coffee, and sugar
• The practice has electricity supplied by a green energy company and we have targets to reduce energy usage annually, and install low energy bulbs throughout
• We use medically grade natural cleaning agents rather than chemicals to clean in clinical and non-clinical areas.
• We have appointed and trained an on-site “green champion” to encourage best practice and share ideas with the team
• We are committing to reducing landfill waste and aim to achieve this goal by implementing waste minimisation programmes, composting, monitoring clinical/recycling and general waste quantities and auditing our waste production annually

Charity & Community

• The practice is involved in giving Oral Health education talks
• We consult our team, on what causes to support, each year at the practice meeting on Managing the Practice
• We encourage team members to carry out their own fundraising
• The causes we support have been carefully selected to fall in line with our business goals, either through what they do or by benefiting the local community
• The causes being supported have been consulted and informed. They know how long they will be supported and the fundraising goal
• The charitable giving and supported causes are communicated to patients either in practice, in newsletters, on web & social media
• We have a detailed annual CSR plan in place with clear goals, objectives, and team roles
• We have appointed a CSR Champion and committee that helps recommend what causes to support and is responsible for delivering the plan

Communication, Advocacy & Management

• We have created a CSR page on our website, which covers our values, commitments and what we currently do to meet our goals
• 5-10% of our external communications to patients includes information regarding what we are doing to achieve our CSR goals