Huge congratulations to every individual and organisation below. In addition to the shortlist, a small number of entries in the most competitive categories were highly commended – full details here.
SUPPORTING THE WORKFORCE
CATEGORY 1: LIVING THE CODES
Have you succeeded in bringing the Scottish Social Services Council’s (SSSC) codes of practice to life in social services? Have you gone above and beyond compliance to make a positive impact by using the codes?
T.A.S.C & HAPPY LITTLE PEOPLE AFTER SCHOOL CARE TEAM
Organisation: T.A.S.C. & Happy Little People After School Care Team
T.A.S.C. & Happy Little People After School Care
BECS BARKER, SERVICE MANAGER, COMMUNITY CONTACTS MANAGER
Organisation: Carr Gomm, Community Contacts
Becs Barker, Carr Gomm
CATEGORY 2: BRIGHT SPARK
Are you, or someone you know, new to social services but have already made a real difference to someone’s life? Do you have a positive attitude? Do you take the time to understand what the people you support want and need, helping them to achieve their potential?
DAVID CLARKE, STUDENT – WINNER
Organisation: Glasgow Caledonian University
David Clarke, Social Work Student Glasgow Caledonian UniversityRead Entry
CHELSEA ROCKS, SUPPORT WORKER
Organisation: Scottish Association for Mental Health
Chelsea Rocks, Scottish Association for Mental Health
MAX ALEXANDER, PLAYWORKER
Organisation: The Yard
Max Alexander
CATEGORY 3: AN ENLIGHTENED APPROACH
How do you recognise the importance of learning and development within the workforce? At times when budgets may be stretched, are you thinking creatively and working collaboratively to make the most of training opportunities? Are you learning from the people we support, care for and work with?
This is about joined up thinking, working and delivering. Do you take the time to understand your colleagues, agree what each of you can contribute – and follow that through to make a difference to people’s lives? At times of integration and change these skills, which break through organisational barriers and cultures, are vital. It is not about sharing a space, but a common approach to support and care for people.
GLASGOW WOMEN’S SUPPORTED BAIL SERVICE – WINNER
Organisations: Turning Point Scotland and Aberlour
Organisation: Midlothian Health and Social Care partnership
Midlothian Intermediate Care Service
EAST RENFREWSHIRE HSCP YOUTH INTENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICE (YISS)
Organisation: East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership
East Renfrewshire HSCP
WEST LOTHIAN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL WELLBEING SCREENING GROUP
Organisation: West Lothian Council
West Lothian Council
CATEGORY 5: THE COURAGE TO TAKE A RISK
Have you, or someone you know, taken a risk; looked adversity in the face and stood up to make a change? Many successful business people failed initially but learned from that experience and went on to great things. This can happen in social services too. This award recognises those who have used experience to make positive changes.
WEST ISLAND WAY – EAST AYRSHIRE INTENSIVE SUPPORT TEAM
Organisation: East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership
West Island Way – East Ayrshire Intensive Support Team
STAR PROJECT: THE RIGHT SUPPORT AT THE RIGHT TIME WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE
Organisation: Perth and Kinross Council Education and Children’s Services
STAR Project
IMPROVING USE OF EVIDENCE
CATEGORY 6: MAKING RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE REAL
Have you embedded the use of research or evidence into social services practice? Perhaps you have implemented an idea from a peer review journal, or interpreted the evaluation of a service, or used local feedback to change and improve how you do things. The emphasis is on looking at current practice and using research to challenge current thinking and find new ways of doing things; or doing new things.
UP2U: RENFREWSHIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE TEAM – WINNER
Organisation: Renfrewshire Council
UP2U: Renfrewshire Criminal Justice Team
YPEOPLE PATHWAYS
Organisation: Ypeople
Ypeople Pathways
CATEGORY 7: THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Have you influenced thinking in your team, your organisation or more widely? By learning, discussing and trying new things have you brought about changes which benefit service users? Have you helped foster a culture where challenge is encouraged and practice is informed by what we can demonstrate works.
We are looking for an unsung hero; an inspiring individual who thinks that they are ‘just doing their job’ but whose approach makes it so much more than that? Do you or someone you know fit this description? We want to celebrate people who have helped make a positive difference for others either through their day-to- day work, or promoting the social services profession more widely.
NORMA LAWRIE, MANAGER, FORREST STREET CHILDREN’S HOUSE – WINNER
GAIL CARSTAIRS, PROJECT COORDINATOR, ‘WE CAN ALL DO IT’
Organisation: ENABLE Scotland
Gail Carstairs
MAUREEN BLACKIE, CARE ASSISTANT
Organisation: Leuchie House
Maureen Blackie
CATEGORY 9: HEAD ABOVE THE PARAPET
Have you spoken up about an issue, promoting social justice and championing the interests of the vulnerable. We want to encourage people to stand up for others and challenge rhetoric that can damage the interests of the people we work with.
CATEGORY 10: CARERS CHAMPION – SUPPORTED BY THE NATIONAL CARERS ORGANISATION IN SCOTLAND
Each year we will choose a special Policy Focus award. This year, in recognition of the Carers Act, we are celebrating the work of unpaid carers. We are looking for a person or team or organisation that has championed the rights of unpaid carers and helped secure positive change.
