The Care Home Employer Award
Winner: Nightingale Hammerson
An inspiring, values-driven organisation that goes above and beyond in supporting its staff through in-house psychological support and innovative initiatives such as poetry and art classes. The Quality Time initiative offers back-office staff the opportunity to connect with residents, deepening their appreciation for the impact of their roles. The organisation also fosters open, compassionate communication, promoting meaningful discussions that strengthen team bonds and celebrate the richness of diverse cultural backgrounds.
Highly commended: Bracebridge Care Group
We were highly impressed with how Bracebridge fosters a non-hierarchical, inclusive work culture. The recruitment process prioritises emotional intelligence and empathy, ensuring that only truly compassionate individuals are brought on board. We also heard numerous examples of how the organisation offers exceptional support to staff during personal challenges, demonstrating a thoughtful and innovative approach to staff well-being that reflects both compassion and care.
The Home Care Employer Award
Winner: The Good Care Group
The Good Care Group truly deserves the Employer Award for its outstanding commitment to staff well-being and professional development. By fostering a supportive and positive culture, they not only enhance the quality of care for clients but also create an environment where employees thrive. Through a focus on open communication, a proactive approach to feedback, and substantial investment in training programs, the organisation empowers its team and ensures exceptional service delivery across the UK.
Highly commended: Verve Homecare Limited
Verve Homecare Limited deserve recognition thanks to its outstanding commitment to staff well-being, innovative care delivery, and strong community engagement. By ensuring that both employees and clients receive personalised, top-quality support, Verve Homecare consistently goes above and beyond to meet the unique needs of everyone they serve.
The Care Home Worker Award
Winner: Alam Chaudhury, Barchester
Alam is a dedicated and driven professional who has steadily advanced in his career, progressing from HCA to SCA and then to HCP. With plans to begin his nursing training in the upcoming year, Alam’s journey is a testament to his determination and hard work. Starting at just 17, with little more than a strong will to succeed, he has navigated a demanding and often challenging environment, consistently demonstrating resilience and strength of character. Over 12 years with his current employer, his commitment to professional growth and exceptional patient care is at the heart of everything he does.
Highly commended: Prema Annah, Cambridge Nursing Home Wanstead
Prema brings a radiant energy to every conversation about her role, her passion and care evident in every word. Her compassion knows no bounds, and one of her most cherished times to work is during Christmas when she goes above and beyond to ensure that all her residents feel loved and cared for—especially those without family to visit. Prema’s unwavering dedication and heartfelt connection to the people she cares for are what truly set her apart.
The Home Care Worker Award
Winner: Martin Wilson, Baxters Homecare
Each day, Martin approaches his work with compassion and warmth, skillfully navigating the challenges that arise. His remarkable ability to offer comfort and solace, especially in clients’ final days, reflects his profound respect for life and the people he cares for. Well done, keep up the good work.
Highly commended: Karthik Kaniyarakkal, The Limes – Optimal Living care home
Karthik’s innovative approach to supporting individuals with complex needs has made a lasting and positive impact. Together with his team, he consistently seeks out the most effective methods to provide exceptional care. His commitment to personal and professional growth, exemplified by earning his Diploma Level 3 and Level 2 in Autism, highlights his dedication to continually enhancing his expertise and improving the lives of those in his care.
The Care Home Newcomer Award
Winner: Emmanuel Nii Lamptey, Serencroft
Emmanuel is deeply passionate about providing person-centred care to both new and long-standing residents. He is committed to continuously improving and adapting care to meet the evolving needs of service users, ensuring that future care is personalised and responsive. Emmanuel also actively shares his knowledge with his team, supporting their professional development and fostering a culture of growth and excellence.
The Home Care Newcomer Award
Winner: Raisha Joshi, Sweet Tree Home Care
Raisha praised her team for their exceptional collaboration, which has been instrumental in helping her achieve her goals. She expressed that the role has given her a profound sense of belonging, allowing her to feel truly connected and supported as part of a close-knit, wider family. This sense of unity drives her passion and success in the job.
Highly commended: Kirkankumar Balthi (Kiran), Home Care Preferred
Kiran consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of his clients, highlighting his ability to truly connect with and know their individual needs. He described the role as “not everyone’s cup of tea,” acknowledging the unique challenges it presents, yet he remains committed to overcoming these obstacles to provide exceptional, person-centred care every day.
The Care Home Registered Manager Award
Winner: Nina Stephens, RMBI Care Company
Nina consistently demonstrates an exceptional drive, enthusiasm, and passion for providing the highest standard of care. Her creativity and ability to think outside the box—always with the best interests of both residents and staff in mind— truly remarkable.
Highly commended: Andrew Fowle, Lifeways
Andrew consistently exemplifies strong leadership, teamwork, and a commitment to development. He understands that without a solid, cohesive team, the quality of care would be significantly compromised.
The Home Care Registered Manager
Winner: Kamisha McDowell-Golden, Healthvision UK Ltd
Kamisha has seamlessly combined strong leadership with an unwavering focus on quality and people. Since leading the branch from its start-up in 2016, she has guided its growth from zero service users to supporting over 100 individuals, with a dedicated team of 70+. Warm, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to excellence, Kamisha’s clear passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of others has been the driving force behind the branch’s success.
Highly commended: Emma O’Brien, Hayes Staff Recruitment
Emma is a true leader, with every one of her accomplishments reflecting her deep commitment to both her team and the service users. She consistently demonstrated her advocacy for clients and their families, fearlessly challenging authorities and other professionals to ensure they received the support they truly needed. Her exceptional skills in training, recruitment, and leadership were evident, and she stood out as a powerful champion for those she cared for.
The Dignity in Care Award
Winner: Team, Chislehurst Healthcare
The team upholds dignity through personalised care plans, valuing client independence and choice. Family involvement is central, with open communication encouraged. Clients, often local, experience trust and security. Chislehurst’s community impact reinforces their commitment to dignified, professional care.
Highly commended: Nicolas, Manel and team, Frank Foster House
An outstanding team, deeply passionate about their work. They are highly responsive to change, continuously adapting to new challenges with resilience and dedication. Keep up the exceptional work!
Highly commended: John Gilfillan- Lukka Care Homes – Brook House Nursing Home
John’s compassion was evident from the outset. His exceptional kindness and understanding went beyond the call of duty, providing not only meaningful care but also genuine companionship. He fostered a nurturing environment that significantly enhanced his residents well-being and quality of life.
The Dementia Carer Award
Winner: Eugene Popescu, Greensleeves
Dignity, respect, understanding, and kindness are qualities that consistently define an outstanding care team member. After speaking with Eugene, I can confidently say that he embodies all of these traits. It’s a pleasure to witness his dedication and compassionate approach, which truly reflect the values we seek in exceptional caregivers
Highly commended: Rajitha Kandana Arachige, Barchester
Rajitha is an incredibly compassionate and caring individual, demonstrating that both residents and her team deserve the highest standard of care and the freedom to make choices. It was truly a pleasure speaking with her, as her dedication to ensuring the well-being and empowerment of all those she supports was evident in every conversation.
The Ancillary Worker Award
Winner: Region 2 maintenance team, ivolve Care and Support
The Region 2 maintenance team is truly outstanding! Beyond their essential work in carrying out remedial tasks and ensuring everyone’s safety, they consistently go above and beyond to connect with the individuals we support on a personal level. No task is too great, and their dedication to delivering a high standard of service is unwavering. They are a compassionate, enthusiastic, and committed team who make a real difference every day.
Highly commended: Subashi Kommalage, Frank Foster House
Subashi consistently demonstrates a deep respect for each individual, treating service users with the utmost dignity and ensuring they are always seen and heard. Her approach to care reflects a high standard of professionalism, and she consistently goes above and beyond in her role. Subashi is proactive and shows great initiative, setting a positive example for her colleagues.
The Care Home Activity Organiser Award
Winner: Karen Tremlett and Nikki London, Each Other Care
Karen and Nikki are exemplary professionals in social care—truly passionate about their work. They make a meaningful difference every day, creating a warm, joyful home environment while fostering strong, positive connections with the community. Through their efforts, they empower residents to volunteer at a local charity shop, helping them gain independence and play an active role in the community. Their dedication and care are truly inspiring.
Highly commended: Robert Speker, Sydmar Lodge Care Home
Robert stands out for his bravery, creativity, and unwavering passion for ensuring that residents are not isolated within the confines of a care home. Instead of keeping the outside world at bay, he actively brings it to them. By providing truly person-centred experiences, Robert goes above and beyond to push boundaries and create meaningful, enriching opportunities for his residents.
The Home Care Co-ordinator Award
Winner: Melrose Harding, London Care
She demonstrated a wealth of experience in the sector, and her answers addressed all the key criteria points. Notably, she was the only candidate to mention safeguarding, a crucial aspect of the care industry. Her positive attitude was also remarkable; despite the technical difficulties, she remained calm, composed, and thorough, ensuring that I understood her answers and checked in throughout. Based on her performance in this interview, I do not doubt that her commitment to both her team and clients would be exceptional.
Highly commended: Diane Rampersad, SweetTree Home Care Services
Although Diane appeared quite nervous, her skills as a care coordinator left a strong impression. Her passion for the role was evident in her responses and shone through. She spoke with sincerity and a strong desire to make a positive impact, showing that, her dedication and drive to succeed in the role were unwavering.
The Care Home Chef Award
Winner: Daniel Jarvis, Cambridge Nursing Home (Wanstead)
Daniel Jarvis is a deserving recipient of this award, thanks to his outstanding culinary talent, dedication to crafting personalised dining experiences for residents, and passion for sharing his expertise with others. His commitment to inspiring young people to pursue careers in the care industry, combined with his creativity and thoughtful approach in the kitchen, truly sets him apart as an exceptional candidate for this recognition
Highly commended: Radouane Fahim, Ashton Lodge Ltd
Radouane Fahim is highly deserving of commendation for his exceptional leadership as Head Chef over the past 20 years. Through his innovative approach, he has transformed menu offerings, enhanced food safety standards, and consistently delivered high-quality, nutritious meals tailored to residents’ needs. His dedication to providing personalised care through food has had a lasting, positive impact and is deeply appreciated by all.
The Care Home Team Award
Winner: Team, Ashton Lodge
An inspiring team, brimming with passion, drive, enthusiasm, and exceptional ability. Their thorough and thoughtful approach to assessing both team dynamics and operations sets a high standard. They are a true credit to the sector.
Highly commended: Chorleywood Beaumont Care Home, Barchester
The care team at Chorleywood Beaumont deserves recognition for their exceptional commitment to person-centred care. The team’s dedication to professional development and community integration significantly enhances residents’ quality of life.
The Home Care Team Award
Winner: The Team – Home Instead Bromley, Chislehurst & Orpington
A dedicated, compassionate, and highly skilled team whose unwavering commitment is to provide exceptional care to the clients they serve. With a focus on empathy, respect, and individualised attention, they strive to ensure that each client receives the highest standard of support, fostering an environment where both comfort and dignity are prioritised at every step of the care journey.
Highly commended: The Team, Walfinch Harrow and Brent
This team is deeply passionate about their shared vision, ensuring that both team members and service users experience joy and fulfilment. They create an engaging and supportive environment where fun is prioritised, fostering meaningful connections, laughter, and a sense of community while delivering exceptional care and support.
The Care Innovator Award
Winner: The Big Adventure, Community Integrated Care
The Big Adventure impacted thousands of lives, reaching 3,000 clients, 6,000 staff, and the entire organisation, inspiring and empowering access to the internet, local, and national communities. With a month-long focus, over 500 activities and experiences were offered, encouraging participants to explore new opportunities and continue engaging long after. This initiative not only enhanced life outcomes but also gave clients the tools to pursue their best possible lives.
Highly commended: Bhoopalan Natarajan, Chosen Care Group
The Availability Planner, developed and implemented by the Chosen Care Group, has empowered thousands of older individuals to avoid hospital admissions by proactively monitoring and predicting health events. By collecting vital data through community care delivery and collaborating closely with GPs and health services, the group has successfully enhanced patient outcomes. Thanks to its impact, the group now gains new clients through recommendations and word of mouth, having significantly extended the lives of many individuals in their care.
The Frontline Leader Award
Winner: Aleksandra Wochowska, Bluebird care
Aleksandra is an exceptional frontline leader. She embodies what it means to be a leader who genuinely cares for her team. With a vibrant personality and a warm demeanour, she creates an environment where her team feels valued and inspired. I recognised her exceptional ability to put her team first. Aleksandra goes above and beyond to ensure that every staff member and service user feels supported and safe. She is a true role model within the industry her future is very bright. Congratulations Aleksandra this award is well deserved.
Highly commended: Amelia Dewey, Lifeways
Amelia displays her unwavering dedication. Her exceptional leadership skills serve as a shining example to her team. Amelia approaches her role with passion and commitment. It’s a privilege to support others. She strives to empower all staff members and service users, ensuring that everyone feels valued, understood and included in society’s fabric.
The Care Assessor Award
Winner: Lynn Rogers, The Good Care Group
This nominee is deeply passionate about end-of-life care, dedicating herself to ensuring that the palliative care wishes of the individuals she supports are fully honoured. She consistently goes above and beyond, steadfastly advocating for her clients and ensuring their wishes are respected with unwavering commitment, right up until the very end.
Highly commended: Karma Gurung, Chosen Care Group Limited
This nominee is deeply committed to supporting individuals in maintaining their independence while receiving care, a responsibility that fills him with immense pride. He finds great fulfilment in witnessing the positive impact his work has on the lives of those he supports; while also recognizing the profound difference it makes in his own life as a compassionate caregiver.
The Three Rs Award
Winner: Kemi Oguntoyinbo, DS Healthcare
Listening to Kemi share her journey was truly inspiring. It was uplifting to hear how deeply she cares about her team, ensuring they are well-supported and given the best possible experience as they transition into the company and move forward. Her commitment to their growth and well-being was a pleasure to listen to and resonated.
Highly commended: The Recruitment Team, The Good Care Group
The Good Care Group has demonstrated exceptional use of technology combined with valuable feedback from a diverse range of employees. They’ve successfully addressed every aspect of the employee journey while prioritising inclusion for all. Their thoughtful, comprehensive approach offers a structure that many organisations could greatly benefit from adopting.
The Workforce Development Award
Winner: Rachel Caroll, Bracebridge
Rachel has developed an engaging in-house training program, using creative methods like escape room concepts to enhance learning. She’s forged partnerships with local SEN colleges to offer workplace placements, benefiting students, residents, and staff. Committed to staff development, Rachel has already made a significant impact, and I look forward to her continued contributions.
Highly commended: Jayasudha Amaresh, Serencroft
The team has adapted training to meet the diverse needs of staff, considering both work and personal circumstances. Their in-house training and mentorship program has improved retention and fostered career development. By prioritising internal growth, they’ve cultivated long-serving staff, including managers with 30 years of service, ensuring all are valued and rewarded.
The Putting People First Award
Winner: Sam Cant, D & S Healthcare Ltd
Devoted to ensuring residents’ safety and well-being, Sam worked tirelessly, collaborating with local authorities to prevent the homes from closing. He rebranded the services, improved care standards, and led the team to deliver positive outcomes, always prioritising the residents’ needs.
Highly commended: Team, HABS Strength in Mind Therapeutic
The team goes above and beyond to ensure everyone’s needs are met, offering unwavering support for the young vulnerable children. Their dedication to the children’s welfare is unmatched. Keep up the hard work.
The Palliative Carer Award
Winner: Dorothy May Bentley, First Option Healthcare Group
Dorothy exemplifies compassion, professionalism, and dedication. As a nurse, she has gone above and beyond in supporting a terminally ill child and their family, advocating for increased care hours when the child’s mother struggled and ensuring the child’s comfort and dignity. Dorothy’s unwavering commitment to compassionate care makes her a deserving winner.
The Social Care Nurse Award
Winner: Tonya Biddy, RMBI Care
Tonya’s achievements and unwavering dedication to her role and the individuals she cares for truly highlight why she deserves this award. Her exceptional contributions and ongoing commitment serve as an inspiration to all of us working in social care.
Highly commended: Claire Amer, Bleep 360 Care
Claire’s drive and passion were truly evident, and it was inspiring to witness. She absolutely deserves to be recognised for both her ongoing efforts and the remarkable work she has already accomplished.
The Housing with Care Award
Winner: Hans Morano, Supported Living Services
Finding a service that not only prioritizes the support of the individual but also takes the time to educate and involve their loved ones, while creating opportunities for past service users to remain connected with key support networks, is truly a rare and invaluable find.
The Co-Production Award
Winner: Trudy Riley, Serencroft
Trudy excels in applying co-production principles, engaging both service users and staff to refine care practices continuously. Her collaborative approach ensures services are responsive, relevant, and tailored to real needs. By fostering adaptability, she has transformed care delivery, providing increased flexibility and enhancing the overall care experience.
The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award
Winner: Ann Ayris, Ebury Court Care Home
Ann is a unique, skilled, and compassionate team member with 34 years of experience. She embraces new ideas and leads innovative dementia care programs. Ann is an exemplary mentor, approachable, and dedicated, providing leadership and support that boosts morale and enhances care. It was lovely talking to you.
Highly commended: Samantha Crawley, Bracebridge Care Group
Samantha is an exceptionally motivated and dynamic professional with over 20 years of experience in the care home sector. Her passion for sharing her expertise and mentoring the next generation of leaders was evident when speaking to her. With a consistently positive and proactive approach, Samantha not only drives outstanding results but also empowers others to achieve their full potential. Keep up the incredible work!
