Welsh care sector recognised as 2015 Accolades winners announced
Transforming the lives of people with dementia, helping children live safely, and supporting vulnerable young people to live independently are just some of the projects which have won an award for excellence at the 2015 Accolades for care initiatives in Wales.
A record number of entries were received for the biennial Accolades, run by the Care Council for Wales, which celebrate and showcase excellence in social work, social care, early years and childcare.
Seven Accolades were given to organisations across Wales, recognising how investment in the learning and development of their staff is helping professionalise the workforce.
City and County of Swansea, and Flintshire, Pembrokeshire and Monmouthshire County Council were the local authorities winning awards, while Cardiff’s UCAN Productions, Caernarfon-based GISDA and the KIM Inspire Project in north Wales were also recognised for their achievements.
Mark Drakeford AM, Minister for Health and Social Services, said: “On their 10th anniversary, the Accolades are as vital as ever, playing a key role in recognising and sharing the excellent work done by our social workers and those employed in social care, early years and childcare.
“These are challenging times, but that makes it even more important to reflect, to look at what’s working well, to celebrate people’s efforts and create the space to share the learning – and then to make sure that we all act upon it.
“With pressure on resources, it’s vitally important that we pool our experience and expertise to benefit those who need support within our communities. These kinds of projects show just what we can achieve in Wales when we work together.”
The Minister said it was ‘really commendable’ that this year, at a time ‘of huge demands on everyone’, a record number of entries had been received. “Submissions were sent in from across the sector, from almost all local authorities and private and voluntary organisations, once again making the accolades a truly national showcase for good practice,” he added.
Out of 16 finalists, the winners of the 2015 Accolades are:
Leadership to achieve confident, competent and professional workers (sponsored by Fix Training)
Winner: City and County of Swansea for the first children’s services in Wales to form partnerships with families and professionals to help children live safer lives.
The judges were impressed that there was much greater satisfaction from families and staff, with every child understanding why they were looked after, and that learning was being shared across partner agencies.
Runner-up: Pembrokeshire County Council’s project to support young care leavers, giving them direct access to personal assistants, support agencies and practical help.
Citizen-led Services (sponsored by The Open University Wales)
Winner: UCAN Productions, Cardiff, a performing arts co-operative which has grown to have the largest arts membership for people with sight loss in the UK. Founded in 2005, it is led by blind and partially-sighted young people and supported by a team of professionals.
The judges were impressed by how the organisation was truly citizen-led, with two young people who joined 10 years ago now effectively running the organisation and staff standing back to enable activity to be led by individuals.
Runner-up: A project by Conwy County Borough Council and Conwy Connect for Learning Disabilities to support parents and carers, leading to the development of a ‘Planning for the Future’ guide.
Better outcomes through working together (sponsored by Deloitte)
Winner: Flintshire multi-agency partners for their family support service, which has benefited local children’s emotional well-being and academic achievement and improved confidence in parenting skills – leading to a reduction in stress experienced by families in daily life.
The judges were impressed by the strength of relationships between the schools, parents and social services, links to Glynd?r University and the ‘relaxed and positive environment’, as well as a real understanding of a holistic approach to children and increasing their aspirations and achievement.
Runner-up: An initiative by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Safer Merthyr Tydfil, their Up and Coming Young Reporters Project and CREA8 Project to develop a modern slavery project noted by the Anti Human Trafficking Co-ordinator for Wales as the first to engage young people in this agenda in Wales.
Highly-commended: Somability, an initiative by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, in partnership with Cardiff Metropolitan University, Artis Community and Cariad Interactive, to develop a computer programme to help adults with learning disabilities to develop confidence and friendships.
Developing a sustainable workforce (sponsored by Blake Morgan)
Winner: Pembrokeshire County Council for a workforce strategy to recruit a high-quality social worker team, achieving a stable and effective workforce with a minimal number of agency staff.
The judges were impressed by the visionary approach taken to change the whole system for not only children’s services but also the culture of the council, while providing a career structure and development opportunities for staff.
Joint runner-up: Monmouthshire County Council’s radical project to attract and select the best social workers for the local authority, by using posters, social media and videos, and involving service users in candidate selection.
Joint runner-up: Isle of Anglesey County Council’s project to stabilise and develop the workforce by reviewing approaches to recruitment and retention, professional development and management training.
Excellent outcomes in the care of older people
Winner: Monmouthshire County Council for its Raglan Project, aiming to transform the lives of people with dementia by moving away from traditional models of homecare and focussing on helping people regain and develop skills, reducing levels of support.
The judges were impressed by the passion and commitment of every member of the team and how the results have affected the whole community far beyond the limits of the original project.
Runner-up: Vale of Glamorgan Council’s T? Dewi Sant residential care home, which has moved away the traditional task-focused culture of support by creating a ‘sense of home’ with mutually-supportive relationships between the older people, their friends, relatives and staff.
Highly-commended: Llys y Seren, a collaboration between Grwp Gwalia Cyf, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, providing residents with dementia with a home for life rather than being moved on to nursing care.
Excellent outcomes in the care of younger people/children/early years (sponsored by Prospects for Young People)
GISDA for a project to help vulnerable young people across North Wales live independently in hostels, houses and flats by helping them with training, education, budgeting and life skills.
The judges were impressed by the breadth and innovation of the project and the commitment to achieve positive outcomes for individuals, with care and consideration being given to each young person’s individual needs and aspirations
Runner-up: Gwent Missing Children Project, a multi-agency and cross-sector initiative, aiming to reduce the number of children and young people reported missing. It involves Gwent Police, Aneurin Bevan Health Board, Newport City Council, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Torfaen County Borough Council, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, Monmouthshire County Council, Llamau and Barnardo’s.
Tenth-anniversary award – KIM Inspire Project
Winner:The Kim Inspire Project is an initiative that offers group activities to women struggling with poor mental health.
The judges were impressed by the fact that the project is fully client-led, focuses on the well-being and social inclusion of people with mental health problems and education and training about mental health. The judges thought it was also worthy of the special award because of:
- Its scope, impact and geographical spread.
- Evidence that the project has moved on significantly since it first won an Accolade, including focusing on men and young people, as well as women.
- It is delivered by people with mental health challenges and for them.
- Its strong community ethos and links with services.
- Lots of learning and development of staff and many examples of collaboration across north Wales.
Arwel Ellis Owen, Chair of the Care Council and of the Accolades judging panel, said: “Once again, we have been delighted by the number and standard of entries for the Accolades. It just shows how many great examples of excellent care we have in Wales. It also reinforces the high priority these organisations give to the learning and development of their staff, who are their most important resource. After all, without staff, there is no service.
Around five per cent of the total workforce in Wales is involved in some form of social care and early years and childcare, equivalent to a workforce of around 88,000.
