Social Care Association Awards

Social Care Association, professional membership organisation for social care workers gave three awards at their annual dinner at the Erskine Bridge Hotel in Renfrewshire on Tuesday 13 March.

In addition to the Kathleen Lewis Memorial Award and the SCA Merit Award, both given since 1991, a new award was given for the first time to an Associate Corporate Member for their work.

First winner of this award was CrossReach (formerly the Board of Social Responsibility for the Church of Scotland) in recognition of their assistance in helping the Association get established in Scotland after devolution. Judges were very torn and would like to have given more then one award to the five nominees. The award was received by Jim Maguire the Depute Director of CrossReach who said he was proud and honoured on behalf of the charity to receive the inaugural award.

The Kathleen Lewis Memorial Award named after a founder member of the Association was given to Roy Grimwood, a recently retired Child Care manager, in recognition for his promotion of best practice in residential; child care and his support for members in trouble. To the amazement of friends who know him well, Roy was rendered speechless by the award.

The SCA Merit Award is usually given to a national figure who has had a positive impact on the social care sector either in one major intervention or over time. The judges recognised the work of David Brindle of the Guardian Newspaper for his long and consistent service, always offering balanced reporting of the sector and always keen to promote the good aspects of social care as well as reporting the more challenging issues. David was ‘bowled over’ on hearing the news.

Chief Executive of SCA, Nick Johnson said: “The SCA Awards have always been kept small in number and consequently are highly valued inside the Association and highly regarded by people outside it. The recognition of our Corporate members acknowledges the changes that have taken place in the social care sector and the need to provide a focus especially for the large number of small employers.”