Thursday, 10 June 2010 13:49

Scotland's top carers and social service projects were 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. Today's 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 haveseen 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 servicesfurther.

 

"Excellent social services are vital if Scotlandis tocome through thecurrent economic downturn withoutthemost disadvantagedmembers 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 country's 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 year's finalists faced stiff competition from projects entered across nine team categories. Overall winner for 2010 was Barnardo's Scotland with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE). Barnardo's 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 year's 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 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.

 

Investing in the workforce

 

Winner - HEC in Person Centred Approaches - Thistle Foundation, Edinburgh

Special commendation - Highland Home Carers

 

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 - Barnardo’s Works - Barnardo’s 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

 

Barnardo’s Works - Barnardo’s Scotland and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE)

 

Find out more about the winner and finalists projects.