Friday 23rd October saw the exciting climax to the inaugural Great North West Care Awards. Hosted by local lad Adrian Mills, from ‘That’s Life’ fame, the sector’s inaugural awards for the region culminated in a spectacular gala dinner at the Manchester United Football Club.
Sponsored by HET Software and supported by the Department of Health, the Great North West Care awards received nominations and support from all corners of the sector.
Nominations were invited from all corners of the sector and the region and successful candidates invited for interview. From here all the finalists and guests representing all areas of the care sector, attended a spectacular gala dinner at Manchester United where the winners were announced. The gala awards evening started in style with a champagne reception, followed by a superb gourmet dinner, the awards presentation with celebrity presenter Adrian Mills and dancing into the night.
The Great North West Care Awards are part of the Great British Care Awards – a series of regional care awards throughout the UK. The 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. 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.
The winners from all 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 May and June 2010.
The awards have received support from across the social care sector, including the Department of Health, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), Ceretas, the English Community Care Association (ECCA), the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and Action on Elder Abuse.
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.
Lisa Carr, a Director of the Great British Care Awards said,
“We were truly heartened to receive such an overwhelming response to the Great North West Care Awards and the quality of the nominations has been extremely high. The awards offer a unique opportunity to celebrate the successes of individuals, teams and businesses throughout the North West – people who really do make a positive impact on people’s lives. The awards will really help to raise the profile of social care in our region and we are delighted of the success of what was truly a memorable evening.”
John Mayhew, Chief Executive of Het Software and the awards’ principal sponsor comments,
“Following our involvement with the Ceretas Awards and Annual Conference I experienced firsthand the positive impact that such events can have for everyone involved in the care industry.
We all face the same challenges and share a common goal. The biggest challenge at the moment would appear to be the Government’s Personalisation Agenda. Although the full consequences of personalisation are not fully understood at this time, one thing is for certain – the impact will be far reaching.
In theory personalisation should accomplish what we all wish to achieve for home care service users, with greater choice leading to improved quality of life. Our common goal is to continuously improve the quality and consistency of care delivered and to raise the profile of the home care industry.
Through sponsorship of the Great British Care Awards HET Software can be instrumental in providing a national platform that helps to promote best practice and excellence in service delivery, acknowledges the commitment and dedication of the people who work within our sector and to generally raise the profile of the care sector in the UK.”
The winners of the inaugural Great North West Care Awards, together with the judges comments, are as follows:
Care Employer (more than 250 employees) Award – Community Integrated Care
We were impressed by CIC’s total approach to putting the individual first at all times. For a large organisation, their focus on developing staff and actively seeking best practice made them a winner.
The Care Employer Award – Laura Grasby, Crossroads Care, Ribble Valley
Anna & Laura evidenced how their organisation was person centred, user focused, meeting the requirements of both the carer and the cared for. Staff were well prepared for their role with a strong foundation of training.
The Care Home Worker Award – Julie Dry, Regency Health Care
Julie was chosen for her enthusiasm and dedication to her profession. She put her ideas across in a very straight forward manner and with conviction.
The Home Care Worker Award – Nora Yates, Goldsborough Home Care
Nora loves her job; she respects the life experience of her services users & sees her relationship with them as a partnership. Nora’s magic wand would like more recognition for HCW, locally nationally & in the community.
The Care Newcomer – Emily Woodward, Allied Healthcare
The judges were impressed with Emily’s passion for social care and the extensive knowledge she displayed of her profession. She particularly stood out in her common sense approach towards dignity and choice, always making sure these important elements were her top priority. She makes an excellent Care Ambassador
Care Home Register Manager Award – Lorraine Hart, Pearlcare
Lorraine demonstrated her very wide experience, but showed that the care service she manages is fully person centred and keeps in touch with the community.
The Home Care Registered Manager Award – Tracey Gilmore, Anchor Care
Tracey has a very clear and concise vision of motivating staff to deliver care in a home situation, and recognise that they are the visitors in that environment.
Dignity in Care Award – Sue Rush and Karen Cooke, Halton Borough Council, Adult Services and Community
Sue and Karen from Halton Borough Council gave us some excellent examples of Dignity in Action. We were impressed by their ability to overcome barriers to ensure the best outcomes for individuals.
The Dementia Carer – Karen Michael, Stocks Hall Care Homes
The judges were impressed with Karen’s obvious passion in caring for people with dementia and her quest to make sure that colleagues, the public and professionals alike always look for the real person behind the dementia. Preserving people’s choice and dignity featured many times in Karen’s responses and her efforts in building up better relationships with GP’s and Consultants in a greater understanding of dementia make her a worthy winner.
The Care Team Award – Sharon Edwards and Team, Haven Care
Sharon rewards & awards her staff, delivered via appraisal. Training is an investment & her team have genuine pride in the provision they give. She says ‘any company is only as good as it’s front line staff’.
The Care Home Activity Organiser – Lorraine Prescott, Stocks Hall
Lorraine is outstanding because she so clearly understands the individual needs for activity of each service user and is brimming with energy, enthusiasm and experience.
Care Trainer – Pam Stopforth & Carolyn Goble, PSS
The candidates’ enthusiasm for training that provided excellent outcomes for service users was outstanding as was their commitment, especially to their dementia project.
Care Innovator – Sue Arnold, Southern Cross
Sue demonstrated a clear account of a service that brings very young, challenging pre-adolescent boys, in to a care setting. The result and consequences expand the personal horizons of the boys & older people.
Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award, Lorraine Hart, Pearlcare
The judges had a very difficult decision. Lorraine in her 20 years of service has made a significant contribution to Social Care. She is highly respected within her field of work and has vastly improved the quality of care for her residents. Lorraine always goes beyond the call of duty. The judges are delighted to award the Outstanding Contribution to Social Care to Lorraine Hart