On Friday 31st March, 900 of the very best in social care attended a glittering awards ceremony at Birmingham’s ICC, for the national finals of the Great British Care Awards, where the national category winners were announced.

The Great British Care Home Awards, hosted by Care England and sponsored by Well Pharmacy and Weightmans Solicitors, brought together the winners from the nine regional Great British Care Awards held in Autumn 2016. Winners from each region were invited to compete once again to become the national champions.

This year’s finals which were hosted by Martin Kemp were supported by the Department of Health, The National Care Forum, Alzheimer’s Society, The Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) and the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) as well as commercial organisations.

There were a total of twenty one award categories available for nomination which represent all areas of the care sector, whether it be older people or specialist services and from frontline staff to people who have an impact in other ways such as training and dementia.

Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England said,

“Social care work is one of the most difficult, and at the same time, one of the most spiritually rewarding careers. People who work in social care, make a huge difference to the lives of the people they work with, and are some of society’s unsung heroes.

The Great British Care Awards looks to redress the lack of recognition that  people who work in social care receive, and is recognising and rewarding the very best in the social care workforce,  giving them praise and respect for the transformational work that they do every day.”

The national winners of the Great British Care Awards 2016 , together with the judge’s comments are detailed below:

 

The Care Employer Award

Octavia Housing

This company mirrors the needs of people they care for and the staff who work for them.  This is demonstrated through their approach to staff wellbeing, empowering and enabling Octavia to take an holistic approach to all.  We believe they want to make a difference to the people they support, their employers and volunteers.

 

The Care Home Worker Award

Shaun Hills – Homes Caring for Autism

The judges had a hard decision as all candidates were amazing.  Shaun’s creative and mirroring approach supports his “Guys” where nothing is a problem or an issue. He is passionate about care and strongly advocates for this “Guys” to lead meaningful lives. Well done Shaun!

 

The Home Care Worker Award

Minhajjudin (Mani) Patel – Choice Care

Although having the necessary qualification to be a Registered Manager Mani has chosen to remain as hands on Carer showing his dedication to improving the quality of life of his service users. Inspirational!

 

The Care Home Newcomer Award

Bethany Lawrence – Able Care Homes

Bethany was at college undertaking health and social care.  She had three placements but when she entered Able Care Homes she felt the warmth and knew where her career path would be.  We wish Bethany  all the best for her future career.

 

The Home Care Newcomer Award

Nicola Roderick – Burgundy Care Services Ltd

It’s all about the individual for Nicola.  Inspired by the care of her Grandmother, she stands up for the rights of her clients.  Nicola will make a brilliant mentor

 

The Care Home Registered Manager Award

Darren Humby – Signature at Miramar

Darren approached the role objectively with a clear view that “Staff needed to be everything”.  He planned a management system towards delivering an exceptional service through an empowered, motivated and well trained team.  He was sufficiently aware of the need to balance moral and ethical issues to retain a viable business.

 

The Home Care Registered Manager Award

Elaine Mellor – Care and Share Associates

Elaine demonstrated an ability to lead the service through a real threat of closure due to de-commissioning of services and through her inspirational leadership and tenacity turned the staff and company fortunes around.

 

The Care Home Cook/Chef Award

Chris Beech – Ideal Care Homes

Chris combines his passion for food and people into an art that benefits both residents and fellow members of staff.  Chris is a very worthy winner of this award.

 

The Dignity in Care Award

Megan Austin – Colten Care

Megan believes dignity is “Basic human right” through the initiatives of “Friends of the World”, the “Dignity Focus Group” and fulfilling her residents wishes from the “Wish Tree”.  She proves to be a true champion of dignity and an inspiration to the lives she touches.  Well done Megan!!

 

The Dementia Carer Award

Natalie Lamoon – Nicholas James Care Homes

Natalie has been given this award for demonstrating excellence in her role.  She is clearly passionate, knowledgeable and forward thinking.  She goes the extra mile and has an ingrained attitude towards care.  She is a Carer, Fundraiser and a great example to her profession.  Well done Natalie!

 

The Care Home Team Award

Akari Care Regional Team – Akari Care

Akari Care demonstrated a clear commitment in their approach in how they come together and work as a team to provide a high standard of care to residents.

 

The Home Care Team Award

Learning Disability Team – Direct Health

The Chemistry between the team members is fantastic.  They support each other brilliantly and they share ambitious plans for what they can achieve.  Well done!!

 

The Care Home Activities Co-ordinator Award

Roxana Chirita – Langley Havens Dementia Care Home

Roxana is inspirational, her energy to make every day different for her residents.  She involves everyone in her success.  She is a great example to the industry and obviously is really passionate about her role.

 

The Ancillary Worker

Daniel Carter – Cinnamon Care Collection

For us Daniel’s passion stood out – he clearly wants to make a difference to people’s lives.  His unique ways to connect the old and young generations were heart -warming and inspiring.

 

The Care Trainer Award

Laura Jefferies – Cream Care

Laura was an outstanding Candidate.  Her knowledge and passion for her work stood out along with providing quality training to her colleagues.  Very well done and thoroughly deserved of this award.

 

The Care Innovator Award

Elaine Everett – Motivation

This winner had a great idea, and then made it a reality through planning, determination and stamina. Her energy and positivity are infectious.  Her business is flourishing, and the future looks very bright

 

The Care Home Frontline Leaders Award

Debra Dowd – Anchor

Debra started her career in care on an YTS scheme at the age of 16.  Progressed to Deputy Manager and has been with the organisation for 17+ years.  Debra hasn’t forgotten where she started.

Also gave her time to raise £300 through a sky dive to take residents to the seaside for fish and chips.

 

The Home Care Frontline Leaders Award

Becky Liddle – Making Space

Becky takes her role as a Frontline Leader very seriously and everything she does is for the benefit of leading staff to provide high quality care the people they support.  She is creative, goes the extra mile, has a passion for the work she does and has shown she is an excellent Frontline Leader.

 

The Home Care Co-ordinator Award

Dawn Back – Potens Group                                                   

Dawn’s drive and commitment to develop a service for individual’s that often miss out really shone through and her passion to give people the chance to do what they want to do is outstanding.

 

The Care Assessor Award

Michelle Millard – The Old Rectory Care Home

Michelle oozes enthusiasm, is very experienced and knows her role inside out.  Michelle is professional, creative and has all the right values that working in social care needs.  She is friendly, bubbly, smiley and easy to talk to – just what the sector needs!!

 

The Putting People First Award

Guidepost Team – Gateshead Council

An innovative team, creative with resources, working collaboratively at the heart of the community to improve and empower the lives of the people they support.

 

The Palliative Carer/End of Life Award

Debbie Day – Cedars Care Home

In Debbie’s words, “It’s got to be right.  There is no second chance. Human life is amazing and we need to make the end special”.  Debbie’s passion and going the extra mile to make their last wishes happen.

 

The Housing with Care Award

Kingfisher Court – Cross Keys Homes

A very passionate and caring team.  Clearly well led and dedicated to doing well.   They are at the heart of the community and hub for all in the area. Kingfisher are a credit to the Care Sector and for giving sheltered housing a good name. Well done Roxana – The pick of the bunch from a very talented crop!!

 

The Good Nurse Award

Elizabeth Ross – Castle Hill House Limited

Elizabeth is emotionally connected to her work.  She is passionate about delivering high quality care for those she looks after.  This empowers everything from midwifery to end of life care with cardiac and respiratory care in between. Her legacy will be a second book for nurses of the future.

 

The Unpaid Carers Award

Rev. Bob Jones

Reverent Bob Jones has had a massive part of Woodleigh care over the years.  He has volunteered and conducted many Holy communion services, so the residents spiritual needs can be met. He has cared for his beloved wife Joan who has several complex health conditions for the last 2 years with no outside help until recently excepting some help in the form of day care, he is an amazing man that’s love and dedication to his wife of 50 years is commendable, this dedication also extends to everyone, who he shows love, compassion and support to on a daily basis.

 

The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award

Ken Nolan –  Springhill Care Group

Ken Nolan has worked tirelessly for nearly 30 years to deliver outstanding care services which support people with a range of health and social care needs.

He is driven by the values of social care to ensure the services which he leads are beacons of quality and innovation and are always connected to the local community.

Not only has Ken invested his time and energy in his own services, but he is a powerful advocate for the care sector and lives the values of health and social care in everything that he does

Ken Nolan’s contribution to the care sector goes far beyond the services that he leads and delivers.  He is a true sector champion and a great ambassador for the entire sector.

  

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

Lets celebrate social care and help it get the recognition it deserves