On Friday 25th November the Brighton Dome, Brighton provided a spectacular backdrop for the finals of this the second Great South East Care Awards, where the nineteen category winners were announced.
The Great South East 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 South East 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 nineteen 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 Jeff Brazier 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 South East Care 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 theSouth East are 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 South East Care Awards, together with the judges comments are detailed below:
The Care Employer Award More Than 250 employees
Carole Sawyers
The Fremantle Trust, Ayelsbury, Bucks
The judges were impressed by Carole’s long standing passion for care, and how she is very committed and dedicated to her staff team in order to get the best quality improvement.
The Care Employer Award Less Than 250 Employees
Nazir Manji
Bay House Nursing Home, Bexhill on Sea
Nazir demonstrated a clear mission and values which challenge the old institutional ways of care. Bay House Nursing Home operates under 5 Star values with a modern resident led service.
The Care Home Worker Award
Sarah Pointer
Greensleeves Home Trust, Kent
Sarah is a very focussed, calm and compassionate care worker who clearly demonstrates leadership skills. She enjoys working as part of a vibrant team and believes passionately that personal development is an essential part of creating a stimulatory and safe environment.
The Home Care Worker Award
Angela Snook
Allied Healthcare, West Sussex
The judges were unanimous in awarding first place to Angela Snook in a very competitive section. Angela impressed as a warm and natural person whose well motivated enthusiasm along with confident and competent approach to her work. Wholly service user focussed she has great potential for the contribution to the development of this work.
The Care Newcomer Award
Rosie Stevens
Ashcroft Support for Living, Horley, Surrey
A bright mature young woman who wanted a challenging role and knew immediately it was what she wanted to do when she started working with people who have complex behaviours. She gets more out of it than she can ever put in and goes home genuinely “buzzing”.
The Care Home Registered Manager Award
Alison Fraser
Regard Ltd, Lynsted, Kent
Alison successfully manages a diverse team, supporting residents with a wide range of needs is all aspects of their lives.
The success is due to setting clear direction and management expectations for her team and her understanding of the teams expectations of her.
The Home Care Registered Manager Award
Sarah King
Titleworth One to One, Guildford, Surrey
A very professional and knowledgeable candidate who impressed the judges as an inspiring manager. She takes pride in developing her staff and achieving the desired care through them.
The Dignity in Care Award
Denise Hoare
Barchester Healthcare, Wokingham, Berkshire
Denise motivates her staff and promotes good standards of care. Dignity comes from the heart. If you lead with Dignity others will follow. It is an ethos of basic human rights. She mentors her staff to recognise and respond to people. A true “ Dignity Champion”
The Dementia Carer Award
The Meadowside Care Team
The Fremantle Trust, Ayelsbury, Bucks
Vivien has a natural understanding of the needs of people with dementia trying to create a ‘home from home’ People are valued in an individual way that is reflected in the day centre activites.
The Care Team Award
Inglewood Team
Regard Ltd, Camberley, Surrey
The judges were inspired by the team’s commitment to supporting a normal, happy house for it’s twelve residents. The outcomes they achieve would not be possible without excellent teamwork. One of the team goes to work to “have a ball!”
The Care Home Activity Organiser Award
Denise O’Conner
The Fremantle Trust – Meadowside, North Finchley
Denise impressed the judges with the range of activities in particular the ‘ipad project’ which has brought amazing benefits and pure delight to residents and their families.
The Home Care Co-ordinator
Zoe Gomes
Oxford Private Care, Cumnor, Oxford
Zoe’s dedication to the well being of her service users was matched by her interest in and care for the staff for whom she is responsible.
The Ancillary Worker Award
Maureen Callaghan
The Avante Partnership, Faversham, Kent
Maureen has created innovation through her role as receptionist. She places great significance on the care for visitors as well as for staff and residents. Maureen manages visitors with compassion and understanding and never lets them leave without a smile. She is humbled by her role and shies away from well deserved recognition – which makes her even more of an inspiration!
The Putting People First Award
Alan Irwin, Daniel Wylie and Natalie Wylie
Aldanat Care, Kirby Le Soken, Essex
This team have initiated a dramatic turnaround of a home; this started with and delivered the principles of putting people first. They have taken on the attendant risk of this approach and used their emotional commitment to drive putting people forward.
The Care Trainer Award
Janice Drain
Nurse Plus, Canterbury
From a very strong field of candidates the judges felt that Janice demonstrated a clear understanding of quite a complex role with a strong focus on individual needs and impact on service user.
The Care Innovator Award
Penny Canwell
MacIntyre, Milton Keynes
The Experience Tree Project is a fantastic example of Penny’s ability to break down barriers, enabling service users to be accepted in everyday life and for local people and businesses to overcome their barriers
The Frontline Leaders Award
Simon Dawes
MacIntyre, Milton Keynes
Simon is an enthusiastic, natural leader, who remains modest, holding strong values based on his personal experiences. Simon can look forward to a bright future as a social care leader.
The Housing with Care
Lelsey Crisford
NABS, Bexhill on Sea
Very knowledgeable of the individuals within her care, she has good people skills and an empathy with the development needs of her clients. She has been creative in her development strategies to engage the local community.
The Outstanding Contribution Award
Anne Hagan
Brighton and Hove City Council, Brighton, Sussex
Anne has worked for Brighton and Hove City Council for over 25 years in a number of roles ranging from Social Work to managing Provider Services. Anne’s commitment and dedication to services over this period of time is inspirational!