Winners Of 2007 Care Accolades Announced

The winners of Scotland’s national Care Accolades awards were announced at a glittering gala lunch at the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, hosted by Kaye Adams. The annual event recognises best practice throughout the social service sector and today’s guests were treated to stories of ground breaking research, heart-warming efforts and innovative professional practice.

Nearly 200 guests gathered for the ceremony, a joint initiative by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and the Scottish Executive. Now in its fourth year, the Care Accolades recognise and promote the excellent work being done to address the issues facing social services in Scotland today. Guests at the Care Accolades included social services users, individual carers and public, private and voluntary social service providers.
 
Morag Alexander, Chair of the Care Accolades judging panel and Convener of the SSSC said: “This award ceremony is a real opportunity to celebrate the excellent work that takes place in the sector every day. We have all been very impressed by the quality, innovation and outstanding practice that has been demonstrated to us today. I warmly congratulate the winners and finalists; their hard work and dedication makes a real difference to the lives of people all over Scotland.”
 
Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years, said: “It’s often the little things that can make a big difference to people’s lives – and the value of that contribution should never be underestimated. That’s what social service workers do, each and every day of their working lives. They deserve the highest praise for their professionalism, and dedication to caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. That’s why it’s a privilege to be here today to congratulate the finalists and winners.”
 
Local authorities, voluntary and private social service agencies across Scotland were invited to compete across seven categories with the chance to become the overall winner for 2007. Thirteen finalists were selected by the judging panel from over 114 entries received from across Scotland.
 
The winners for the 2007 awards are:
 

• Successful initiatives to recruit and retain staff for organisations with more than 100 employees: Aberlour Child Care Trust, Crannog Services, Dumfries and Galloway
• Involvement of people who use services in any aspect of the organisation’s work: Barnardo’s Scotland with Dundee City Council and The Web Project, Face Project, Dundee
• Initiatives that promote integrated working which improve services: East Dunbartonshire Council Social Work Services, Intensive Support and Monitoring Service (ISMS), East Dunbartonshire. Special commendation: Capability Scotland, Renfrewshire Work 4 All
• Innovative and/or imaginative training programme: NCH Scotland, Are you listening?, Falkirk. Special commendation: Barnardo’s Scotland with Dundee City Council and The Web Project, Face Project, Dundee.  
• Increasing Diversity of practice learning opportunities: University of Dundee, The Caring Experience Module, Dundee
• Overall winner: East Dunbartonshire Council Social Work Services, Intensive Support and Monitoring Service (ISMS), East Dunbartonshire