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#CelebratingSocialCare: celebrations and milestones from adult social care providers

Throughout April we’re #CelebratingSocialCare and all the great work happening across the sector. We asked you to send in your good news stories and we’ll be sharing these throughout the month. Today we hear the story of some celebrations and award ceremonies from social care providers.

Celebrating the Successes of the Newly Qualified Social Workers

In March North Yorkshire Council held an event to celebrate the achievements of Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) who have passed their Assessed and Supported Year of Employment (ASYE) in Health and Adult Services (HAS) over the past 18 months. The event brought together NQSWs who have completed the programme and their assessors and NQSWs currently on the programme, all assessors and staff from across the service. Richard Webb, Corporate Director, HAS, attended the event and presented certificates to some of the NQSWs present.

The event was held in person for the first time since pre-Covid and was joined by guest speakers Dr. Renee Aleong, Regional Engagement Lead for Social Work England, Esta Watson and Mark, two people experts in their own experience, Hiede Coates, British Association of Social Workers Chair for NYC and Preye Ikah, one of the successful NQSWs.

Attendees heard about developments within the sector, support available to NQSWs and inspirational practice from an NQSW who has recently passed the course. 2 experts in their own experience kindly shared their experiences of working with social workers which offered a great insight into social work practice and the impact it can have on people who we support.

The organisation wanted to recognise and celebrate the significant amount of hard work and dedication that goes into the ASYE from both the NQSWs and assessors.

Dr. Renee Aleong, Regional Engagement Lead for Social Work England, said:

Richard Webb, Director of Health and Adult services, said:

How Exemplar Health Care’s Service User Ambassador initiative is driving co-production

At the heart of Exemplar Health Care’s commitment to co-production, is their Service User Council - a collective of ambassadors from each of our care homes who come together to make important decisions about their home and the wider organisation.

They work closely with our colleagues to take on roles in the day-to-day running of their home, greeting visitors and doing tours of the home, interviewing job candidates, and acting as a ‘Peer Buddy’.

The Service User Council meets monthly and has grown in importance and influence to become an integral part of our organisation. Ambassadors from across different homes meet each other to discuss what is important to them, what is working well within their home or the organisation, and where there may be room for improvement or a desire for change.

As the Council goes from strength-to-strength, and the ambassadors grow in confidence, they have been at the forefront of initiatives including the creation of our holiday policy, the development of a new resident app, the co-production of Sheffield Hallam University’s 'Learning Disabilities Nursing and Social Work' course and the design of our new-build homes.

Dave Hollinger, Service User Ambassador at Willowbeck shares:

Registered manager awarded with British Empire Medal

When Katy Turner joined Caring Connections in 2017, she had no prior experience in care, and previously worked as a hairdresser. However, it wasn’t long before she was awarded the organisation’s first ever ‘Carer of the year’ award.

Following that, she was promoted to a coordinator role, where she continued to thrive and received great feedback for going above and beyond. She continued to progress by completing her Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications and during COVID-19 she took on new responsibilities running campaigns to recognise and empower staff and even gaining media coverage for the organisation, including being featured on BBC news.

For three years Katy has now been a registered manager for the organisation.

One of Katy’s career milestones was being invited to a reception at Number 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister during an event to celebrate home care workers.

Another of her greatest achievements is having been awarded the British Empire Medal earlier this year, for her work in social care during COVID-19.

She was nominated for this by her employer, along with her colleague Rachel who was also received the award last year.

Speaking of her experiences in social care, Katy said:

Priscilla Wakefield House Resident & Relatives Awards event

Priscilla Wakefield House (PWH) hosted their inaugural Resident & Relatives Awards event on 24 February 2024. It was a wonderful event honouring the stars of our care home community.

The organisation wanted to show their gratitude and appreciate for the incredible bonds that make their home truly special.

Residents were presented with certificates and a framed photo, and families were presented with certificates and PWH goody bags.

Our amazing catering team provided a delicious buffet for all to enjoy which was accompanied by some fizz to toast the winners!

The residents were thrilled to be appreciated and awarded their certificates which they proudly display in their rooms. Families were equally delighted to be recognised for their invaluable contributions to life at PWH.

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