The Department of Social Care is pleased to announce that the Mental Health Service has been accredited with the Investors in People (IIP) award for the fifth consecutive time, improving its performance in previous years by achieving the prestigious Bronze status over and above the standard Investors in People award. Since 2000, the Mental Health Service has consistently retained the Investors in People Standard Award. The Mental Health Service was first measured against the Standard in March 2000 and was re-accredited in 2002, 2005 and 2008, with the latest assessment in July 2011. The accreditation period lasts for three years. The Minister for Social Care Hon Martyn Quayle MHK said: “I am delighted that the Mental Health Service has not only retained its Investors in People status, but has improved its performance and obtained the Bronze award. This higher level award recognises and commends the priority the Department places on the continuous development of its staff, ensuring they have the skills needed to deliver a high quality service to the public - this is a fantastic achievement.” The Investors in People Assessor Mr Mick Lynch said: “I congratulate the Isle of Man Government Department of Social Care’s Mental Health Service as fewer than 4% of Investors in People organisations achieve the Bronze standard.” ENDS