Winners of Scotland’s Care Accolades announced

The best of Scotland’s social service teams were recognised on Friday (22 June) at Care Accolades 2012, the national award ceremony showcasing the very best of the care sector across the country.

Social services are at the heart of our communities and the projects showcased at Care Accolades 2012 highlighted the difference these services are making across a range of services including older people and children’s services and services for people with learning difficulties.

Nearly 220 people gathered for the ceremony in Perth, attended by Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, and hosted by Garry Coutts, Chair of the Care Accolades and Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).  The annual awards recognise the extraordinary people and diverse social service projects in Scotland.  The finalists and guests heard stories of ground breaking partnership working and the heart-warming efforts made by social service workers and their organisations.

Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell said:”The professionalism and dedication of those working in Scotland’s social services can never be underestimated. Their sterling work makes a hugely positive difference to thousands of people every day and it should be recognised and applauded.

“The Care Accolades give us the opportunity to do exactly that, by highlighting and celebrating the excellent and innovative work being done across our communities to improve the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens. Today’s winners and finalists, and all those who applied, rightly deserve the highest praise.”

Garry Coutts, Chair of the Care Accolades 2012 judging panel said:“The social care workforce is amongst the countries most creative innovators and continuously designing new and better services for those who rely on them.  The Care Accolades allows us to see a hint of the future which allows us to recognise the achievements of the country’s top carers and social services projects.  Our social care staff have shown they have the confidence, creativity and skills to provide us with the services we need each day.  Our staff are the key to ensuring our most vulnerable citizens have the best possible quality of life.  This year’s winners and finalists deserve the highest praise for the excellent work they do day in day out.
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“Excellent social services are vital if Scotland is to come through the current economic downturn without the most disadvantaged members of our community suffering the most.”

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the SSSC said:“The awards are an amazing reminder of why we do what we do and of all the fantastic work going on in our sector.  As a judge it is incredibly difficult to choose our winners from all the outstanding entries we receive.  This year we received the second highest number of entries and every project is worthy of an Accolade.  It was a pleasure to meet all of this year’s finalists, from the workers to the people who use the services.  Each finalist should be extremely proud of their achievements at the awards.”

CARE ACCOLADES 2012 WINNERS AND FINALISTS

INVESTING IN THE WORKFORCE, DEVELOPING PRACTICE
WINNER – Learning Disability SVQ Programme by Angus Council
SPECIAL COMMENDATION – Family Support Practitioner Induction Programme by East Ayrshire Council
FINALIST – Implementation of The Sanctuary Model by Care Visions

WORKING BETTER, WORKING TOGETHER
WINNER – Move The Goalpost by South Lanarkshire Council with Strathclyde Police, Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership, Lanarkshire Community Justice Authority, South Lanarkshire Choose Life, Centrespot Development and local community groups
FINALIST – Child Protection Committees by Perth and Kinross Council with NHS Tayside, Tayside Police, Children’s Report and voluntary organisations
FINALIST – Edinburgh Integrated Community Support Partnership by the City of Edinburgh Council with The Social Care Community Partnership, CAIR Scotland, Edinburgh City Youth Cafes and Action for Children.

WORKING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES
WINNER – Ycommunity by Ypeople
SPECIAL COMMENDATION – Speak 4 Yourself by ENABLE Scotland

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
WINNER – Children and Families Project by Waverley Care
SPECIAL COMMENDATION – S.E.A. Change Project by Scottish Spina Bifida Association
FINALIST – Enable Link by Enable Scotland

ADULTS AND OLDER PEOPLE
WINNER – Women’s Support Service by West Dunbartonshire Council
FINALIST – Facing Dementia Together by Alzheimer Scotland with East Renfrewshire Community Health and Care Partnership, East Renfrewshire Council and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
FINALIST – Positive Steps by South Ayrshire Council with NHS Ayrshire and Arran and South Ayrshire Sheltered Housing Tenants

INNOVATION AND REDESIGN
WINNER – bespoken by The Blackwood Foundation
SPECIAL COMMENDATION – Equipu Stairlifts Project by Equipu Partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council, West Dunbartonshire Council, East Renfrewshire Council, Glasgow City Council, Renfrewshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council
FINALIST – Clothesline Project by Gowrie Care

PERSONALISATION AWARD
WINNER – NOVA by Penumbra
FINALIST – C-Change project by C-Change
FINALIST – Cyrenians Communities by Edinburgh Cyrenians Trust

ONE TO WATCH – ADULTS AND OLDER PEOPLE
WINNER – Using Technology to Revolutionise Support by Carr Gomm
SPECIAL COMMENDATION – Heart for Art by CrossReach
FINALIST – Multi Agency Communication Book by Highland Home Carers
FINALIST – BreakAway by City of Edinburgh Council

ONE TO WATCH – CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
WINNER – Kith ‘n’ Kin by Tayside Council on Alcohol with Aberlour Child Care Trust
FINALIST – Simply Play Project by Simply Play with West Lothian Family and Community Development
FINALIST – Family Placement Service by North Ayrshire Council

CHAIR’S AWARD – a winner chosen from any of the finalists who they feel demonstrate exceptional achievement and excellence.  
WINNER – Simply Play – Simply Play (One to Watch Children and Young People)