Care Service of the Year Award 2026
This award recognises an outstanding care service—whether residential or domiciliary—that demonstrates excellence in leadership, quality of care, innovation and measurable impact on the lives of those they support.
The winning service will show a clear commitment to person-centred care, continuous improvement, and a positive, empowering culture for both people supported and staff.
Eligibility
- Open to care homes (including nursing, older people and working age adult services), domiciliary/home care, and supported living services operating within East Sussex or Brighton & Hove
- The service must be widely recognised as delivering excellent care
- Must have been operational for a minimum of 18 months
- Must meet all relevant regulatory requirements at the time of nomination
Criteria
Person-Centred Care
- Delivers inclusive, person-centred care that respects cultural, spiritual and diverse needs
Quality, Safety and Governance
- Demonstrates strong safeguarding practices and a culture of safety
- Maintains effective quality assurance systems and continuous monitoring
- Shows regulatory compliance and a commitment to learning from incidents, feedback and audits
Measurable Impact and Outcomes
- Evidences improved wellbeing and quality of life for people supported
Leadership and Workforce Excellence
- Strong, values-driven leadership
- Investment in staff training and development
- High levels of staff engagement and morale
- Effective recruitment, retention and workforce wellbeing initiatives
- Promotes accountability, professionalism and teamwork
Innovation and Continuous Improvement
- Introduces creative solutions to challenges within care environments
- Adopts best practice and sector guidance
- Responds effectively to feedback from people supported and families
Community and Partnership Working
- Builds strong relationships with families, carers and advocates
- Collaborates effectively with healthcare professionals and external agencies
- Promotes social inclusion and meaningful community connections
Submission Requirements
- Nominations must be between 200–500 words
- Completed forms should be submitted to Administrator@espic.co.uk
How it Works
Nominations will be reviewed by an independent Awards Panel.
The panel will shortlist three finalists. One winner and two highly commended awards will be announced on the night. In the event of a tie, the Head Judge will have the casting vote.
All nominators will be informed of the outcome.
The Awards Panel is made up of three independent judges.