Care staff from across the Black Country have been recognised at a Black Country Excellence in Adult Social Care award ceremony.
The event, which took place on Friday 27 October, was organised by the Black Country Integrated Care System (ICS) workforce team, in partnership with West Midlands Employers and West Midlands Care Association.
This was externally funded through the Workforce Development Fund and part of ongoing work to support recruitment and retention and promote the adult social care sector and the need to recognise the amazing efforts of the workforce.
All four Black Country boroughs – Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley - were involved and represented in each category. Each borough had their own virtual heat, with over 150 nominations received, before finalists were selected to attend the grand final last month.
Categories and winners for the awards were:
- Best Carer - Claire Smith- Handle with Care Black Country
- Best Registered Manager - Hollie Fletcher- Camphill Village Trust
- Best Deputy/Senior/Team Leader - Zingha Grant-Wilson- Portway House Care Home
- Best Newcomer - Lisa Kelly- Restful Homes Group
- Best Support Staff - Janet Clarke-Lewis- African Caribbean Community Initiative
The Black Country ICS was represented by Shajeda Ahmed, Chief People Officer for the NHS Black Country, who presented the Deputy/Senior/Team Leader award, and Dawn Woods, Associate Director for System Workforce, who presented the Best Newcomer award.
Shajeda said “This was an exciting event that shone a spotlight on the amazing work of our adult social care staff. As someone with a dad suffering from dementia, I cannot talk enough about the compassion and kindness that our care staff show our loved ones every day.”
Our ICS, known as Healthier Futures, brings together partners from across health and care including local authorities and other local partners to plan and deliver joined-up health and care services to improve the lives of people who live and work in the Black Country.
Further details of the awards event can be found on the West Midlands Care Association website here.
