THERE is now a new and innovative option for organisations who are thinking about achieving Investors in People recognition - by using the Internet.

The Learning and Skills Council for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, together with Business Link Wessex, has introduced the Laurel Online Internet service to help organisations achieve the prestigious Investors in People Award.

Now in its 11th year, Investors in People status has been awarded to more than 25,000 organisations throughout England and Wales, both in the private and public sector.

Laurel Online aims to build on this success by offering flexibility and online support. It is specifically designed for any organisations that prefer to work at their own pace and it provides a 24-hour service.

One of the first companies to use the extra online service and achieve recognition is Solent Foster Care Associates. Based in Southampton, Solent FCA is part of a national independent organisation providing high quality family placements to children and young people at a local level.

Jonathan Whiter, training and development manager said: "Solent FCA is committed to providing quality training that is accessible and relevant to all our foster carers.

"We were aware about the IiP programme for some time but felt that we required an easier access route and went along to an information evening about the Laurel Online service.

"We were attracted to the flexibility the service offered because it let us work to our own agenda. We had just undergone a staff restructure so it was important that we could manage the pace of the programme.

"We found a number of workshops on the website very useful and they enabled us to carry out in-house training using these as a template.

"We also made great use of the staff surveys replicating them with our foster carers to determine their area of strengths and weakness and highlight training needs for further development.

"We felt that it was important to meet face to face with other organisations using the service and our adviser, Andy Taylor assisted us greatly. In total I would estimate that it took us six months to achieve our objective and we are delighted to achieve Investors in People recognition. I would heartily endorse the online service.''

Laurel Online provides workshops on planning success, developing people and communication. The service also includes personal visits from a registered Investor in People adviser and the opportunity for companies to network with like-minded organisations.