If you have any further questions not answered in the above FAQ please email your point of contact at the awards for further clarification
Nominations
How do I nominate someone?
You can nominate a person, team or organisation for an award via this link.
You do not need to, but you may submit any supporting evidence to info@care-awards.co.uk
How many nominations can I make?
There is no limit to the number of nominations you can make. You are also more than welcome to submit a nomination across multiple awards categories if they are relevant
What happens after I submit my nomination?
After you submit your nomination, a green pop-up box will appear confirming receipt. You will not receive an email confirmation of your submission. If you have seen the green pop-up, rest assured your nomination has been received.
Once all nominations have been received, your entry will be assessed by an independent panel of social care experts. This shortlisting panel decide the 8 – 12 finalists in each category.
How do I know if my nomination has been successful?
Successful nominees will be notified that they are finalists between 1-3 weeks of the closing date for nominations depending on the region. Communications will be sent to the email address entered in the preferred contact section of the nomination form so please ensure the details are accurate and up to date.
Finalists
How do I know if I am a finalist?
Successful nominees will be notified that they are finalists within two of the closing date for nominations. Communications will be sent to the email address entered in the preferred contact section of the nomination form. A finalist list will also be uploaded to the news section of the website.
I have been notified I am a finalist – what are the next steps?
As a finalist, there are 3 things now required of you:
Confirmation of attendance at the judging day
Upload a photo of yourself and 50-word biography via links provided in communications
Return the booking form attached to communications to secure your place at the event
The following sections will explore these 3 steps in more detail
The judging day – what is the process?
As a finalist, you are invited to attend a VIRTUAL judging day via Zoom. Each finalist is offered a 30-minute slot where you will be interviewed by a social care professional.
The interviews are friendly and informal and there is no need to prepare anything in advance. You will be asked up to 5 questions about your role and what you do.
There is no option to attend the judging day in person, and interviews are on set times on set dates. We do not have the capacity or maintain the responsibility to reschedule interviews, so it is very important that you attend your original slot.
Your timeslot, instructions for joining the interview and Zoom link are all included in finalist communications. It is important you confirm your attendance at the interview as soon as possible.
When you join on the judging day for your interview you will first enter a main lobby managed by a member of the awards team. The team member will call on each finalist individually, and ask for your name, and which award you are in the running for. This will allow the team members to confirm your attendance. Once ready, the team member will invite you to join a private meeting room where your judge is waiting. This will appear as a pop-up on your screen where you should click ‘join.’ Once you have joined the private interview room, your interview will proceed for up to 30 minutes. When your interview is finished, feel free to leave the meeting and enjoy the rest of your day.
Once the judge has seen all finalists and reviewed their notes, they will decide as to the winner and highly commended finalists in the category. This will be announced at the IN-PERSON awards ceremony and on the news section of the website 1 working day after the event.
Judging day dates
September:
17th & 18th – National Children & Young People Awards
19th & 20th – East of England
24th & 25th – West Midlands
26th & 27th – Wales
October:
1st & 2nd – North East & Scotland
3rd & 4th – Yorkshire & Humber
8th & 9th – North West
10th & 11th – South West
15th & 16th – South East
17th & 18th – London
22nd & 23rd – East Midlands
Photo and biography – what should I submit and how?
Finalists are required to upload a photo of themselves and a short 50-word biography for use in the awards presentation and souvenir programme. These materials are for visual representation only and are not shared with the judges so will not influence the outcome of the judging process.
Photos
The photo should be a high-resolution image taken in good lighting. An image taken via smartphone will be sufficient. We discourage the use of filters as this reduces the image quality.
If the nominee is an individual – the photo should include head and shoulders. If the nominee is a team – the photo should include all available members of the relevant team. If the nominee is an organisation – the photo provided should be your organisation logo.
You will have been provided a link where you can upload your chosen photo. It is your responsibility to ensure a photo is uploaded no later than 2 weeks ahead of the awards ceremony. If a photo is not provided, the space available for this in the programme and presentation will be left blank.
Biographies
Your biography should be a brief, 50-word description of yourself and what you do in your role. Due to the limited word count, we would advise you focus on professional endeavours before personal details. Please see the example below:
“Jane Doe is a dedicated social care worker with over 10 years of experience supporting vulnerable individuals and families. Specializing in mental health and community outreach, she is committed to empowering clients through personalized care plans. Jane’s compassionate approach and strong advocacy skills ensure clients receive the support they need”
You will have been provided a link where you can upload your biography. It is your responsibility to ensure a biography is uploaded no later than 2 weeks ahead of the awards ceremony. If a biography is not provided, the space available for this in the programme will be left blank.
Booking – how do I book my place at the awards ceremony?
A booking form will be attached to your finalist communications. Alternatively, you can gain a booking form through emailing info@care-awards.co.uk. Please complete and submit the booking form to catherine@care-awards.co.uk to secure your place at the event.
The awards ceremony
What is the process leading up to the awards ceremony?
After submitting your booking form, a member of the accounts team will confirm your places and organise payment.
The contact who sent the form will be contacted by a member of the events team with further details of the event.
These communications include an essential guest details form that asks for the names of guests in attendance and if they have any dietary or special requirements. You must complete and submit this form to your point of contact at the awards within 14 days.
If we do not receive a completed guest details form by the deadline, name cards will be left blank, and we cannot guarantee the venue will be able to accommodate any dietary or special requests. Your booking, however, is still secure and you should still attend the ceremony.
When and where is the awards ceremony taking place?
1st of November, East of England, Milton Keynes Dons
2nd of November, West Midlands, ICC, Birmingham
6th of November, Wales, Marriott Cardiff
7th of November, North East and Scotland, Grand Hotel Gosforth Park, Newcastle
8th of November, Yorkshire and Humber, Royal Armouries, Leeds
9th of November, North West, The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Manchester
14th of November, South West, Ashton Gate, Bristol
15th of November, South East, Hilton Metropole Hotel, Brighton
16th of November, London, Hilton Bankside London
27th of November, East Midlands, East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham
14th of March 2025, Final, ICC, Birmingham
What is the schedule for the evening?
The event will begin with a drink’s reception at 7pm after which you will enjoy a 3-course meal and entertainment before the ceremony itself commences around 10 pm. We expect the ceremony to finish around 11 pm, after which there will be a disco to end an evening of celebration on a high. The event finishes at midnight.
What is the dress code?
The dress code for the evening is a black tie.
Anything else
If you have any further questions not answered in the above FAQ please email your point of contact at the awards for further clarification
