On Friday 26th October, the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham provided a spectacular backdrop for the finals of the Great West Midlands Care Awards, where the nineteen category winners were announced.
The Great West Midlands Care Awards, supported by the Department of Health, 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 West Midlands 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), 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 region and successful candidates were 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 TV personality and presenter Keith Chegwin and then 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 April and June 2013 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 West Midlands Care Awards for the third 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 the West Midlandsare 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 West Midlands Care Awards, together with the judge’s comments are detailed below:
The Care Employer Award
Radis Group
Radis have a very person-centred approach to running their business, this is evident by the employee testimonials. They have a strong ethos and positive outcomes for employees and service users. They truly deserve this award – well done!
The Care Home Worker Award
Kevan Smallman – Choices Housing Association – Long Eaves
Kevan demonstrated a real commitment to understanding the needs of the people he supports. Together with a real understanding of empowerment through the delivery of person-centred care. Kevan has a pro-active approach and strives to update his knowledge and skills for the benefit of the service users.
The Home Care Worker Award
Jessica Doherty – Care Companions Ltd
The judges were impressed by Jessica’s passion and commitment to her work. She demonstrated an understanding of dignity and respect whilst having the skills to deliver quality care. The Judges are full of praise that she has developed a balance between building a rapport and providing a professional service.
The Care Newcomer Award
Michelle Wright – Majesticare
Michelle’s passion for her job and her residents shows no bounds. Her attention to detail to ensure residents needs and families fully involved is impressive – a true inspiration!
The Care Home Registered Manager Award
Amy Cole – Solihull Council
Amy impressed the judges with her direct approach, setting standards to ensure person-centred care is delivered to all individuals. Amy has exceptional focus and leadership skills – well done Amy!
The Home Care Registered Manager Award
Rose Clews – Radis Group
A very professional manager who clearly understood the needs of the sector and the importance of her team. She is focussed and embraces all of the challenges to deliver improved results and to develop her team.
The Nutrition & Hydration Award
Jasper Ackroyd – Sabrina House Ltd
Jasper demonstrated an exceptional understanding of nutritional and hydration requirements. Technically his knowledge was superb he had an excellent understanding of impact of nutrients. Jasper is an outstanding candidate who instils a professional approach – a well-deserved winner.
The Dignity in Care Award
Darran Bolas – Coverage Care
A passionate and enthusiastic person with the ‘dignity culture’ embedded in all aspects of his daily routine. Darran demonstrates a proactive approach which promotes the individuality of each service user. A worthy winner of this award.
The Dementia Carer Award
Emma Tildesley – Care Companions Ltd
Emma wowed the judges with her passion for working with these beautiful and interesting people and how through meaningful activities she put the fun into their lives.
The Care Team Award
Mobile Care Services
The Mobile Care Services Team showed exceptional togetherness in promoting well being of service users and demonstrated clear compassion and commitment to each other and their service.
The Care Home Activity Organiser Award
Knaves Court Day Centre – Housing 21
The team are developing innovative activities for residents to participate in, particularly focussed on drawing in the local community and using IT for those who have little knowledge.
The Ancillary Worker Award
Deborah Sorenson – Elizabeth Finn Homes
Deborah is an outstanding example of going the extra mile. Her commitment and passion for her job makes her a truly deserving winner of this award – congratulations Deborah!
The Care Trainer Award
Ian Clark – Care Tech
Ian is a very astute individual who has a passion and enthusiasm for his craft. He understands the affects that his teaching has on the care workers and the service users. Well done Ian!
The Care Innovator Award
Mediline Carers & Nurses
The team has produced a very useful tool which identifies and measures specific outcomes for her service users. This can also be used as a quality audit tool for the organisation.
The Frontline Leaders Award
Jo Ann Dundas – Coventry City Council
All we can say is ‘exceptional’! it was a privilege and pleasure to hear such a story of passion and commitment and the application of care into a farm setting. Well done Jo Ann!
The Home Care Co-ordinator Award
Julie Latch – Mobile Care Services
Julie is an experienced co-ordinator who puts her service users at the heart of her work. She is passionate about ensuring quality services by listening carefully to what customers want and training care staff to deliver professional care.
The Putting People First Award
Dementia Gateway Team – Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
The team provide an excellent community based service that supports people with dementia and their carers. They are a fantastic example of commissioning and service provider working in partnership.
The Unpaid Carers Award
Ray Eades
Not only has Ray and his wife Margaret cared for their son, but he has quietly campaigned and stood up on behalf of families of people with learning disabilities in a positive and untiring way for over 20 years.
For the past 4 years he has been Chair of the Learning Disability Carers Reference Group and through his quiet participation has been able to get Councillors and MPs to listen. He is a really good example of how carers can make a huge difference, not only to the lives of the people they care for, but to others as well.
The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award
Maureen Parker
As well as caring for her son Stuart, Maureen has made an enormous contribution for the social care sector over the last 40 years. As chair of Birmingham Carers, Maureen plays an integral role in campaigning on behalf of carers in her area.. A dedicated individual and a passionate voice for social care.