Creating a Culture of Everyday Support
About the organisation
A Mindful Employer Charter Signatory since 2023, Leeds Autism Services is a charity that has supported autistic people across Leeds for more than 30 years. Recognising that colleagues working in care can experience emotionally demanding situations, the organisation believes supporting employees is essential to empowering them to provide the best possible support to the people they work alongside. Managers play a central role in creating a culture where colleagues feel supported, listened to and able to raise concerns.
The Challenge
Leeds Autism Services recognised that supporting colleagues' mental health requires more than responding when someone is struggling. Leeds Autism Services recognised that good people management relies on regular conversations rather than waiting until someone is struggling. Managers needed to understand each colleague's individual needs, create opportunities to talk openly about wellbeing and respond proactively as circumstances changed.
Approach in action
Managers at Leeds Autism Services regularly check in with colleagues through weekly one-to-one conversations and informal wellbeing meetings where needed. These conversations provide opportunities to discuss wellbeing, identify any support that may be required and respond proactively to changing circumstances.
Managers work closely with HR to ensure reasonable adjustments are implemented and regularly reviewed, while Wellness Action Plans help guide supportive conversations and ensure support reflects each individual's needs.
An approachable leadership culture reinforces this day-to-day management approach. The organisation has an "an open-door policy, but levelled up", highlightig that managers and senior leaders, including the Chief Executive, are approachable, supportive and make time for people despite the demands of their roles. This helps create an environment where colleagues feel listened to, valued and confident that concerns will be taken seriously.
Impact and learning
Leeds Autism Services has found that regular conversations and approachable managers help create a culture where support becomes part of everyday working life. By checking in proactively, listening to colleagues and responding to individual needs, managers are better able to identify concerns early and provide timely support before issues escalate.
Key takeaway for other employers
Good management is built on regular conversations, trust and genuine interest in people's wellbeing. Creating time for proactive check-ins, listening to individual needs and responding with empathy can help managers build supportive relationships where colleagues feel confident asking for help when they need it.