Care Worker of the Year

This award recognises the significant role of the Care Worker in consistently providing a high-quality standard of support for people living in their own home, supported living or living in residential care.

Care Workers are widely acknowledged as being the lifeline of the sector, performing not only a rewarding role, but also a challenging one. Despite facing long hours, unsociable shifts, and modest pay, they selflessly put the needs of others before their own.  The pandemic laid bare their extraordinary commitment, as they continued to serve with untiring dedication, often sacrificing precious time with their own families to care for those in need. This award is a heartfelt salute to their compassion, resilience, and dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.

This standout care worker should be able to demonstrate dedication to the role, awareness of colleagues and have embraced the opportunities for career development through training. This individual should not only be able to pass the ‘Mum, Dad’ test but as that standout care giver they are worthy of this accolade and a true ambassador for care workers in East Sussex.

They should be consistently delivering outstanding support to residents/clients, understanding the profound importance of treating each person as a unique individual and offering a personalised service that respects their autonomy and empowers them to remain in control of their own lives.

Criteria  

• Consistently gives an excellent service to residents.
• Understands and demonstrates treating each person as an individual by fostering independence (personalised service) in every interaction.
• Allows the person to make their own decisions and stay in control of their own lives wherever possible.
• Encourages people to achieve their fullest potential and helps people to be more independent wherever possible.
• Implements the principles of respecting individuals right to privacy and dignity.

• Involves clients and their relatives/carers in the development of their care (where agreed).
• Has a commitment to personal development and seeks out opportunities to absorb and expand their knowledge and skills. For example: training courses of all types, reading guidance and good practice guides, using toolkits, shadowing, attending workshops and study days, using e-learning.
• Uses their own initiative to support client/s and the service i.e. this individual has exceptional ability to use their initiative, proactively seeking ways to enhance the lives of their clients and improve the service. (example).
• Demonstrates adaptability, alertness and responsiveness to the people they care for, ensuring that they are always attuned to the needs of those they care for.
• Work seamlessly as part of a close team, supporting their colleagues and caring for their wellbeing.
• Demonstrates abilities that typify qualities needed in a great care worker such as: compassion, kindness and empathy. Their passion for making a positive difference in the lives of others shines through in everything they do.
• Has examples that exemplify how the nominee has ‘gone beyond the call of duty / that extra mile’ in making sure their clients receive the support they need, when they need it most.

Eligibility

• Is currently employed in an East Sussex service to support people living in their own home, supported living accommodation or people living in residential care.