On Saturday 22nd October The Brewery, London, provided a spectacular backdrop for the finals of this the second Great London Care Awards, where the twenty category winners were announced.
The Great London Care Awards, who’s principal sponsor is h.e.t. software are supported by the Department of Health. The awards are part of the Great British Care Awards, a series of regional awards which celebrates excellence in social care and pay tribute to those who work in the sector throughout England. The awards are all inclusive, bringing together the statutory, independent and voluntary sectors, as well as unpaid carers; promoting joint working.
The Great London Care Awards have received nominations and support from all corners of the sector. Sector support includes the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), the National Skills Academy for Social Care, Skills for Care, Ceretas and the English Community Care Association. Local Authority support and commercial organisations are also supporting the awards. Care Talk magazine is the media partner.
There were 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, specialist care in areas such as dementia and innovation.
Nominations came in from all corners of the sector and the region and successful candidates invited for interview for infront of a panel of sector experts. Thegala award evening started in style with a champagne reception, followed by a superb gourmet dinner and the awards presentation with Debra Stephenson, entertainment from all girl group electric string quartet Asteria and dancing into the night.
Winners from the awards will be invited to attend the national finals for either the home care or care home sector which will take place in May and June 2012 at a prestigious venue in London.
The awards support a chosen charity, The Care Professionals Benevolent Fund is the registered charity for the Care Sector and are here to support current, former and retired care professionals, by providing assistance to relieve financial hardship or sickness.
Lisa Carr, Director of the Great British Care Awards said,
“We are delighted to be staging the Great LondonCare Awards for the second time. The care awards are going from strength to strength with this year’s regional events. The support from sector partners has been overwhelming and the quality and sheer nominations has been astounding.
These awards recognise and pay tribute to the efforts and dedication of all those who work tirelessly to ensure that so many people are able to live independent lives in their own home. They are the perfect showcase to reflect on best practice in the social care sector. A sector where people truly dedicate themselves to their work and take pride in their achievements.
The people of Londonare incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated people caring for the vulnerable and elderly members of their communities. Congratulations to everyone this evening – everyone here is a winner!”
The winners of the Great London Care Awards, together with the judges comments are detailed below:
The Care Employer Award More Than 250 employees
Alnur Dhanani, Gill Steere, Philippa Morley & Monica Prosser
Carebase, Chingford, London
The judges had a very difficult decision! Carebase demonstrated a real culture within their organisation to invest in their staff. Compassion was demonstrated on all levels.
The Care Employer Award Less Than 250 employees
Daniel Burner, Adelina Trillia & Helen Ramage
The Extra Mile Care Company, London
The Extra Mile Care Company demonstrated a clear set of values for their organisation. A carer’s pledge that drew the workers to provide a service with a ‘how can we help’ attitude.
The Care Home Worker Award
Santhos George
Folkestone Nursing Home, London
Santhos demonstrated a real altruistic view. Although he has completed a MBA, and has experience in business his heart clearly lies in caring and his passion shone through.
The Home Care Worker Award
Mary Hayes
Home Instead Senior Care, London
Mary is exactly what care is all about. She is passionate about her service users and their well being. Mary is an asset to the care industry.
The Care Newcomer Award
Royston Stephens
Barchester, Dagenham, Essex
A truly unique and self-deprecating man who demonstrated a passion for care and an attention to detail which extends to even making sure the service users bread is buttered properly.
The Care Home Registered Manager Award
Asvinta Thakkar
Greensleeves homes Trust, Bickley, Bromley
Asvinta is inspirational with residents leading the way in how their care is provided. Asvinta focuses on a team centred approach with residents, staff and relatives working together.
The Home Care Registered Manager Award
Janice Hickmott
Westminster Homecare, London
Janice was an inspiration – passionate and compassionate, seriously committed to her staff and service users.
The Dignity in Care Award
Richard Traill
Managing Care Ltd, London
Richard recognises that the small things make all the difference. He wants to provide a person – centred bespoke service that encompasses the autonomy , choices and the rights of the individual. Respect is at the forefront of all that he does and in his own words ‘it is a privilege’
The Dementia Carer Award
Richard Richards
Barchester, Dagenham, Essex
Richard is focused on the whole through a professional, person and integrated approach, in a relaxed supportive atmosphere constructively challenging inconsistent working practice with respected alternatives being offered to his colleagues.
The Care Team Award
Greensleeves Homes Trust, London
An outstanding team who have successfully transformed the culture of Queen Elizabeth House, where residents have become contributors to its running rather than merely consumers.
The Care Home Activity Organiser Award
Alicia Francois
Carebase, Chingford, London
As an activities co-ordinator, Alicia demonstrated a clear knowledge and understanding of her role. Alicia uses her smile and laughter to ensure her residents have a good start to their day. Alicia clearly showed that this didn’t feel like a job to her. She learns everyday from her residents.
The Home Care Coordinator Award
Lorraine Oatham
Westminster Homecare, London
Lorraine is obviously dedicated and focused. She has built an effective team that she meets with regularly. Lorraine goes over and above to meet the needs of her services users.
The Ancillary Worker Award
Ricardo Fernandes
The Extra Mile Care Company, London
The judges were impressed with Ricardo’s commitment to the residents care and well-being. His passion and enthusiasm shine through. Ricardo clearly goes the extra mile in care.
The Putting People First Award
Anthea Jones, Maria Savaris & Yoli Pantshwa
Jewish Care, West Hampstead
Anthea and her team inspired the judges with their complete dedication to putting the interests of their residents above everything else! They involved a whole group of residents in a very personalised move to a new home with dazzling success.
The Care Trainer Award
Nadine Mogford
The Extra Mile care Company, London
Nadine clearly demonstrated a pride and passion for both training and to the delivery of high quality care. Through her work she is making a difference to care workers, providing them with the appropriate tools to do their jobs and supporting them as valued member of a team.
The Care Innovator Award
John Sprange
MindDice, London
John through his personal experience with his father, has developed an exciting innovative tool, which he delivers with true enthusiasm. Mind Dice is an excellent communications stimulant helping to keep memories alive.
The Frontline Leaders Award
Juli Carson
Choice Support, London
Julie showed her passion for her role and for leading her team to deliver excellent, effective, person-centred care. She showed vision, and has the ability to see the bigger picture.
The Housing with Care Award
Sylvia Dawson
London Borough of Redbridge, Ilford, Essex
Sylvia demonstrated a passion and enthusiasm for social care. Her knowledge of the sector and development of services to achieve her vision was very impressive. Person centred services and priority outcomes shone through. Sylvia will always try to achieve the impossible by motivating her team and external partners and involving service users.
The Carer’s Award
Mark Neary
Mark Neary fought the system that detained his son illegally and won. Steven was illegally deprived of his liberty and refused permission to return home by his local authority. Mark fought for Steven through some horrendous experiences and was commended by the judge for his actions in the whole matter. Steven has autism and all he wanted was to return home. Mark is an inspiration to other carers – especially those who are enduring similar experiences.
The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award
Gary FitzGerald
Action on Elder Abuse
As chief executive of Action on Elder Abuse, Gary FitzGerald leads a crusade to eradicate a problem that shames this country. Mistreatment of our older people is unacceptable and Gary fights hard and passionately to stamp it out.
With more than 30 years in social care – including almost a decade as chief executive of Action on Elder Abuse – Gary is an inspirational leader and a true catalyst for change within the care of older people.