Only Two Weeks Remaining For ‘Oscar’ Entries

Social work, social care and early education and child care organisations in Scotland are being urged to enter their teams for the Care Accolades 2007. The closing date for entries to “the Oscars” or the sector is 23 February.

The Care Accolades is now in its fourth year as Scotland’s only established awards ceremony for the social service sector.  The prestigious and highly regarded event is organised by the Scottish Social Services Council and is open to the statutory, voluntary and private sectors.

Overall winners of the 2006 Care Accolades, ROC services, Aberlour Childcare Trust Refuge team, from Glasgow, had some inspirational words for people considering entering.

Laura Irvine, Service Manager of ROC services said: “The Care Accolades is an excellent opportunity to recognise and share innovative and good practice in social care. I would encourage organisations to submit an application. It gives social service teams an opportunity to gain recognition for their hard work at a national level.

“We were all delighted to win our category and thrilled when we won the overall award. It was a very positive acknowledgement of the contribution of all parties in setting up and running Scotland’s only refuge for young runaways.”

The awards ceremony highlights good work and innovation within the Scottish social service sector. In particular, judges will be looking for employers or/and organisations that:

  • have policies in place that retain and support staff
  • involve people who use services to ensure that their needs are at the centre of their work
  • provide examples of excellence in partnership working
  • implement innovative training programmes

The Care Accolades 2007 reception and lunchtime ceremony will be held on 8 June at The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, hosted by TV presenter Kaye Adams.

Convener of the SSSC and Chair of the judging panel Morag Alexander, commented: “The 2007 award ceremony will be another opportunity for people in the private, public and voluntary social service sector to be rewarded for some of the superb and innovative work they do every day, delivering some of the most important services to people in communities across Scotland.”

“Not surprisingly, interest in the Care Accolades continues to grow. Applications for the 2006 awards were up by over thirty percent from 2005, and I’m confident the trend will continue for 2007.”

To enter the Care Accolades 2007 download an application pack from the SSSC website at www.sssc.uk.com and click on the front page ‘Care Accolades’ link.  Or alternatively telephone 01382 207267 or email [email protected] to request an application pack. The closing date for all entries is the 23 February 2007.