National Workplace Award for Dundee Fostering Organisation
A Dundee-based fostering organisation has been hailed one of the UK’s best workplaces.
Carolina House Trust is one of Scotland’s oldest children’s charities, supporting foster carers and the children and young people in their care. The charity supports carers in offering family-based care to children and young people who cannot live with their own families.
Employing 12 staff, the charity, based at Luna Place, was ranked the ninth best employer in the Small Business category of the 2025 Great Place to Work awards, positioning it on the UK’s Best Workplaces List.
The awards, now in their 25th year, recognise organisations that create exceptional employee experiences. With 350 standout companies across four size categories, this year’s list highlights those leading the way in workplace culture.
As part of the process, Great Place To Work performed rigorous evaluations of hundreds of employee survey responses alongside Culture Audit submissions from leaders at each organisation.
Carolina House Trust staff highlighted the strong sense of community, where employees’ families and carer families come together at events, alongside the Growth Mindset culture, the emphasis on wellbeing, and the range of learning and development opportunities available.
Sara Lovelock, Chief Operating Officer of Carolina House Trust, said, “Carolina House Trust is underpinned by a culture of support, so we are delighted and honoured to be included in the UK’s Best Workplaces List, a testament to the values at the heart of our organisation. We take pride in working as a team with our carers and young people at the forefront. To do so, we remain committed to supporting our staff and ensuring they have the tools and environment they need to thrive. As a Growth Mindset organisation, we also place great emphasis on recognising our colleagues’ achievements and empowering them to view challenges as opportunities for learning and development.”
One employee referenced the culture at Carolina House Trust in their feedback – “I have never known such a supportive organisation. Staff are supported with policies to ensure their wellbeing. We are encouraged to have a healthy work-life balance. We are supported with any problems we are facing at home or at work. The organisation has a good sense of its strategy and how the whole team plays a part. We have a strong community. We have a safe and comfortable environment. We are supported to thrive at work and in our own lives to our full potential.”
Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place To Work UK, added, “At Great Place To Work, our mission is to help every workplace become a great place to work for all. We wholeheartedly endorse that what’s ‘better for business’ aligns with what’s ‘better for people,’ ultimately contributing to a better world for all. Congratulations to Carolina House Trust for achieving a place on our 2025 UK’s Best Workplaces List.”
The award follows Carolina House Trust’s success in securing the ‘People Pioneer Business’ category of the Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce ‘Chamber Champion Awards’ 2024.
Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviours proven to deliver employee engagement, retention, and increased innovation.
For more information about Carolina House Trust, visit https://carolinahousetrust.org.uk/
ENDS