Care providers embrace the goals of Safety in Care Awards 2012

Although being conscious of negative media reporting on the care sector, national chair of NASHiCS (the National Association for Safety and Health in Care Services), Chris Jackson, insists that standards of health and safety across care services are growing, as shown by the quality of this year’s Safety in Care Awards 2012.

Mr Jackson comments: “Recently, it seems that all headlines relating to the social care sector are damning. This makes the NASHiCS Safety in Care Awards scheme so very important for our sector. It highlights the fantastic work that is being done across the UK and gives all care health and safety professionals a reason and opportunity to celebrate and feel proud of the work they do. The standard of entries for this year’s awards was simply outstanding and my sincere congratulations go to the deserved winners, and also the shortlisted finalists.”

The NASHiCS Care and Safety Awards are now in their second year, with the winners announced at an awards dinner on 27 June at the Bercelo Daventry Northampton Hotel, which included guest speakers Des Kelly OBE of the National Care Forum (NCF) and Richard Hardman, director of service development at Barchester Healthcare.

Notable winners from a strong list of nominations included:

the Abbey Metal Team, Flintshire County Council, who won the Company or Individual of the Year Award for making metal fabrication and light engineering placements possible for adults with learning disabilities.

Paul Westwick, health & safety manager of Lifeways Groups, who was presented with the Learning & Training Award for fire training DVD ‘Working Together for a Safer Home’, developed in collaboration with the West Midlands Fire Service.

and the staff and management team of Friars Lodge, Dunstable who won the Best Practice Award for how their service had developed and embraced service users over 12 months of upgrades and feedback initiatives.

Image: the Abbey Metal Team