Wednesday 25th  November saw over 300 of the very best in social care attended a glittering awards ceremony at Norwich FC for the finals of the Great East of England Care Awards, where the category winners were announced.

The Great East of England Care Awards, sponsored by Access Health & Social Care brought together the category finalists from across the East of England region.

The awards are part of the Great British Care Awards, a series of 9 regional awards celebrating excellence across the care sector.  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.

Sector support includes The Department of Health, The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), Alzheimer’s Society, The National Care Forum and The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) as well as local authorities and commercial organisations.

There are a total of twenty 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 such as care workers and care managers to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training, and specialist care in areas such as dementia and innovation.

The gala awards evening started in style with a drinks reception, followed by a superb gourmet dinner with some surprise entertainment throughout.  This year’s awards theme wasGrease and were presented by entertainer Steve Walls with an abundance of entertainment from Encore Entertainment.

Paul Patarou, Head of Sales for Access Health & Social Care, said: “We have had the pleasure of being key sponsors of the Great British Care Awards for 2 years in a row. I believe that these events and awards are hugely valuable in highlighting the great work that the care sector delivers and goes a long way in rewarding individual excellence. I am both proud and excited to be able to participate in the coming years’ activities representing Access’ care sector software PeoplePlanner and CareBlox.”

Sean Turner, Director of The Great British Care Awards, said: “The Great British Care Awards are now in their seventh year and are continuing to go from strength to strength.   We never cease to be amazed with the quality of nominations and this year is no exception.  This evening was a true celebration for the unsung heroes of social care, without whom quality care provision in our communities would fail.”

Winners of the Great East of England Care Awards will go through to the final at Birmingham’s ICC in Spring 2016.

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

 

Care Employer Award

Hunt Healthcare Group

With an 87% retention of staff they are clearly getting it right in an industry notoriously difficult for keeping staff.  The ethos which the company has created has a positive effect on staff and clients alike.

 

Care Home Worker Award

Jackie Smith, Outlook Care

Jackie’s passion for caring shone through.  She puts the residents at the centre of everything whilst also supporting the families.  She maximises independence and wellbeing and always puts a smile on resident’s faces.

 

Home Care Worker Award

Kerry Caldecoat, Home Instead Senior Care

Kerry always goes the extra mile for her clients, building relationship and developing her knowledge to support them. She never gives up on a challenge and as a result has had some excellent, rewarding outcomes.

 

Care Newcomer Award

Roxanne Kenton, Stowlangtoft Healthcare

Roxanne is an inspiration. Despite personal difficulties Roxanne is forging a career in the care sector, going above and beyond to deliver quality, person centred care.

 

Care Home Manager Award

Wendy Harvey, Gracewell Care

Wendy is an outstanding manager who always puts her residents at the centre of everything.  By valuing her staff she empowers them to provide person centred, quality care whilst also supporting the familes.

 

Home Care Manager Award

Ian Allan, Quality Home Care

Quality Home Care was the first domiciliary company in the UK to be awarded outstanding by CQC.  Their philosophy of having everyone in the business do 2 days per week of hands on care ensures complete understanding throughout the enterprise.

 

Nutrition and Hydration Award

Paul Westall and Jan Sadowski, Sonnet Care

Paul and Jane work so well as a team to meet and exceed residents’ nutritional needs.  Your work is an amazing example of great care, resulting in healthy residents.

 

Dignity in Care Award

Solomon Ijegede, Signature of Brentwood

Solomon demonstrated a great understanding of what dignity in care is and how it should be delivered across the care industry.  His passion for creating independence and opportunity for choice really shone through.

 

Dementia Carer Award

Jade Sweeny, Care UK

Jade is the youngest of the candidates for this category, but the passion and care she shows for her residents is incredible.  Jade demonstrated what a wonderful industry this is and is a wonderful ambassador for the sector.

 

Care Team Award

Alderwood Care Team

Nicky Leaney, Sheree Bond an Laruen Taylor are an inspiring team.  Care, passion and dedication radiates from all of the team.  They create a wonderful home for their residents.  Well done and keep loving your roles!

 

Activity Co-ordinator Award

Helen Waspe and Jamie Willimott, Carebase

Helen and Jamie exude passion and positivity.  They push boundaries, are person centred and clearly do an amazing job.  Carebase are lucky to have you!

 

Ancillary Worker Award

Shirley Talbot, Stowlangtoft Hall Nursing Home

Shirley is so much more than a housekeeper.  She exudes passion for caring for her residents and goes above and beyond to ensure their happiness and wellbeing.  A huge asset to the care sector!

 

Care Trainer Award

Karen Andrew, Mihomecare

Karen is an extremely inspirational lady who has drive and passion but also the heart for ensuring all staff understand the importance of delivering high standards of care for all individuals.

 

Care Innovator Award

Ernest Large and Sarah Webber, Quantam Care

The work Ernest and Sarah have one in identifying veterans in their homes and getting them recognised for their service is outstanding.  They have really demonstrated an innovative way of putting people first.

 

Frontline Leaders Award

Michaela Beaney, PJ Care

An extraordinary young lady who has achieved amazing outcomes in a complex field in such a short period of time.  Clearly dedicated to her wonderful residents and staff, who all work very closely as a ‘family’ delivering very personalised care.

 

Putting People First Award

Cross Keys Homes

A compassionate and caring team, who are dedicated to improving the lives of the residents within their care.  Thoroughly deserving winners

 

Good Nurse Award

Thoko Maphosa, PJ Care

A dedicated candidate, who has worked hard to achieve her position of lead nurse in a very demanding environment.  Thoroughly deserved.

 

Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award

Greg Lapham, Precious Homes

Greg is the pillar that ensures that the services Precious Homes provide and develop, not only fit with the needs of the care market but they go above and beyond fitting the needs of the person supported.

He uses his experience and knowledge in the learning from experience with in the care sector to develop safe responsive effective and well led services. He values his staff at all levels and goes that extra mile to ensure everyone feels part of the team. He is supportive and listens to all staff and service users and his passion to make peoples’ lives better.