Barnardo’s claim top award as Care Accolades winners announced
By Engage

Scotland’s top carers and social service projects have been recognised at Care Accolades 2010, the prestigious award ceremony celebrating the very best of the care sector across the country.

Nearly 200 people gathered for the ceremony in Aviemore, hosted by Radio Scotland’s Kaye Adams and organised by the Scottish Social Services Council. The annual awards recognise the extraordinary people and diverse social service projects in Scotland. Todays finalists and guests heard stories of ground breaking partnership working and the heart-warming efforts made by social service workers and their organisations.

Garry Coutts, Chair of the Care Accolades 2010 judging panel said: “Today we have seen a glimpse of the future. Our social care staff have shown they have the confidence, creativity and skills to provide us with the services we need for the times we now live in. Social services staff are the key to ensuring our most vulnerable citizens have the best possible quality of life. Today we celebrate their success and our winners set the bar for others to develop their skills and services further.

“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.

Kaye Adams said: “I have had the privilege of hosting the Care Accolades for some years now and I have seen at first hand the positive difference social service workers make to the lives of people in Scotland every day. Being shortlisted or winning an Accolade has a tremendous morale boost on the teams and individuals who carry out some of the most difficult and challenging jobs in our community.

Minister for Children and Early Years Adam Ingram said:”Good quality social care and social services staff have the potential to make a real difference to the lives of Scotland’s most vulnerable people and their families.

“These awards enable us to recognise the achievements of the countrys top carers and social services projects, whose good work and contributions to improving the lives of those people and their local communities might otherwise go unnoticed.

“I want to congratulate the finalists and all the winners on their achievements and pay tribute to their ongoing efforts to improve the standard of social care in Scotland.”

This years finalists faced stiff competition from projects entered across nine team categories.  Overall winner for 2010 was Barnardos Scotland with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).

Barnardos Works was selected by the judges for the dedication and commitment from the partners to overcoming obstacles and barriers and working together to improve self esteem, confidence and life chances by giving young people the chance to achieve independent employment.

Michael Taylor and Dougie Miller were winners of this years new award for outstanding contribution to care. After putting in place palliative care plans to support an elderly man to return to his home in remote countryside near Alva, they repeatedly battled through severe snow conditions to make sure his wishes were met.

The new category, which recognises the unsung heroes of social services, was publicised across Scotland with nominations coming in from people who use services, carers and employers.
 
The Care Accolades 2010 winners are:

  • INVESTING IN THE WORKFORCE
    Winner – HEC in Person Centred Approaches – Thistle Foundation, Edinburgh Special commendation – Highland Home Carers, Inverness
  • PARTNERSHIP WORKING  ADULT CARE SERVICES
    Winner – The Prevention of Homelessness Partnership  Glasgow City Council and South West Community Health Care Partnership with Govan Law Centre and Govan Money Matters Advice Centre
  • PARTNERSHIP WORKING  EARLY YEARS AND YOUNG PEOPLE SERVICES
    Winner – Barnardos Works – Barnardos Scotland and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), Glasgow
  • INVOLVING OUR COMMUNITY
    Winner – Aberlour Youthpoint – Aberlour Child Care Trust, Glasgow
  • PUTTING PERSONALISATION INTO PRACTICE
    Winner – Meadowview  A Partnership in Practice in Transition to Adult Services  North Ayrshire Council
  • SERVICE DEVELOPMENT AND REDESIGN
    Winner – Redesign of Mental Health Services in Midlothian  Midlothian Council USING
  • NEW OR SMART TECHNOLOGY
    Winner – Quarriers Internet club  Quarriers, Inverclyde
  • TEAM OF THE YEAR IN SCOTLAND
    Winner – Oversteps Care Home, Dornoch – CrossReach
  • OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CARE AWARD
    Michael Taylor and Dougie Miller  Independent Living Services, Alva
  • OVERALL WINNER
    Barnardos Works, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Highlands and Islands – Barnardos Scotland and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE)