Tuesday, 14 December 2010 16:39

 

The search is on for the best social service projects, teams and organisations within social services to showcase innovation and excellence in Scotland. Could your team or service have what it takes to be a winner in 2011?

The awards, organised by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) give social service organisations the chance to celebrate the life changing work that takes place every day and to highlight the difference they can make to provide better services for people who use them.

The seven Care Accolades 2011 categories are open to all teams, projects and organisations across the whole of the social service sector in Scotland. If you work for a social service organisation whether it is voluntary, private or public and any type of service eg community services, care home services, criminal justice, early years, children and young people and older people can enter for the Care Accolades 2011.

The categories for this year are:

EMPLOYER AWARD

• Investing In The Workforce, Developing Practice - leading the way on developing skills and practice.

TEAM AWARDS

• Working Better, Working Together - how is collaboration and integration making a difference?
• Involving Our Local Communities - delivering lasting improvement and changing things for the better.
• Children And Young People - showing how teams have risen to the challenge.
• Adults And Older People - making person centred care and improving outcomes a reality.

AND

•  Award For Innovation - for teams, partnership or organisations that show innovative thinking and ways of working.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

• Outstanding Contribution To Care Award - for workers or volunteers in social services.

Chair's award - the chair of the judging panel will choose a winner from all of the finalists who they feel demonstrates innovation and excellence.

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the SSSC said:
"In my first year as Chief Executive of the SSSC I've visited projects and met with lots of people doing outstanding work in communities across Scotland. I'm so encouraged by the work and dedication of this sector and I want to see projects and services of all kinds to go for it and enter this year. Working in social services means you make a real difference to people, touching all of our communities and helping people to live better and more equal lives. Scotland's Care Accolades are awards that recognises the significant contribution you make and helps people to understand more about social services. This really is life changing work."

To enter the Care Accolades 2011 complete the online application form on the SSSC website or alternatively telephone 01382 207249/207267 or email enquiries@sssc.uk.com to request an application pack. The closing date for all entries is the 18 February 2011.

NOTES TO EDITOR

For further information please contact Vanessa Glenday or Cristina Dello Sterpaio from the SSSC's communication team, on 01382 207267 or 01382 346462. For more information on the SSSC visit www.sssc.uk.com

The Care Accolades was launched in 2004 to celebrate and promote good practice in workforce development in social services across Scotland.

In previous years overall winners have included:
2004 - Children 1st
2005 - Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care
2006 - ROC Services, Aberlour Childcare Trust
2007 - East Dunbartonshire Council Social Work Services, Intensive Support and Monitoring Service (ISMS)
2008 - North Ayrshire Council, Interlink Day Services, Fergushill Centre
2009 - East Glasgow Community Health Care Partnership, Pathways to Progression
2010 - Barnardo's Scotland and Scottish and Southern Energy - Barnardo's Work project.