The Department of Health pledge their support for the Great British Care Awards

29 July 2009

The Department of Health today demonstrated their commitment to support social care awards and the creation of specialist categories by supporting The Great British Care Awards.

The Great British Care Awards are a celebration of excellence across the care sector and are managed by the team behind the Ceretas National Home Care Awards, a high profile annual event for the home care industry.   Supported also by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), the English Community Care Association (ECCA) and Ceretas, the purpose of the awards is to promote best practice within both home care and care homes sectors, and pay tribute to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work. 

There are a total of around eighteen awards categories available for nomination, which represent all areas of the care sector, whether it be older people or specialist services, residential or home care.  From frontline staff such as care workers and care managers to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training, IT and innovation.

All the finalists will be invited to attend a spectacular gala dinner at venues throughout the UK, where the winners will be announced.  The winners from the regional awards will then be invited to attend the National Events for either Home Care or Care Homes sectors at the prestigious London’s Guildhall, in June 2010.

The awards support a chosen charity, The Maggie’s Centre, which has sites across the country supporting people who lives have been impacted upon by cancer.

People can nominate themselves, a colleague or a company and must accompany their nomination with an account of around 300 words saying why they are worthy winners of an award.  For an entry form call 0115 959 6133m e-mail info@care-awards.co.uk or visit www.care-awards.co.uk

David Behan, Director General of the Department of Health's Social Care Directorate said,

"Staff who care for people with dementia are a vital part of the social care workforce.  The "Dementia Care Worker" award is a great opportunity to recognise the skill, compassion and commitment that are required in this work"

Lisa Carr, Director of The Great British Care Awards, said,

We are delighted that the Department of Health are supporting the Great British Care Awards. The awards offer a unique opportunity to celebrate the successes of individuals, teams and businesses throughout the UK - people who really do make a positive impact on people’s lives. Front line care workers in particular are the unsung heros of our communities.  Without people like these many people would not be able to remain independent in their own homes or live life to the full in a residential environment. The Department of Health’s endorsement of the awards will further to help to raise the profile of social care in our region and we are looking forward to working with them for what promises to be a superb event.”

For more information on The Great British Care Awards please visit our web site at www.care-awards.co.uk

Let’s celebrate social care and help it get the recognition it deserves.