Independent Health and Social Care Worker of the Year
Gold, Silver, Bronze winners
This award celebrates the Independent Health and Social Care workforce, individuals at any level working in non-NHS health and social care settings. This often-hidden workforce make up a vital part of the health and care system in the UK, without whom the public and those most vulnerable would be at risk. These workers play a crucial role in caring for patients and services users who may need full-time or specialist care in the home, in permanent residence or for specialist procedures. Their contribution is vital to the national effort to improve health and wellbeing for thousands of individuals across the country.
Who is eligible?
This award category is open to Independent Health and Social Care Workers (Non-NHS only) including but not limited to; carers, healthcare assistants, maternity support workers, theatre support workers, physiotherapy assistants, podiatry assistants, dietetic assistants, orthotic and prosthetic technicians, OT support workers, as well as medical secretaries, administrative staff, cleaners, porters, catering staff, playworkers, IT and communications, finance staff, maintenance, security, drivers and many more who improve the experience of care.
Anyone can make a nomination, including members of the public.
Assessment criteria
- Reliably working to high-quality standards
- Caring and compassionate approach to those who use services
- Being an effective colleague – being part of the team/supporting others (or proactively supporting the work of the team and others)
- Identifying and undertaking innovations in their place of work
- Having a positive attitude and willingness to embrace innovation and improvement
- Being a strong role model for the organisation and its ethos
Nomination process
Nominators must complete the nomination form, which includes no more than 500 words about the nominee, demonstrating four of the criteria.
The nomination process takes approximately 10-15 minutes. We would recommend reviewing the questions and returning with your responses. You can click ‘Save and continue later’ at any time during the nomination, in the top right-hand corner of the screen in the nomination form.
As part of the nomination, we ask for some simple information about you, such as your name, job title and contact details. This is so we can let you know if your nominee is successful in winning an award, and so we can verify the nomination. We also ask for some information about your nominee, including their name, job title, contact details, an overview of what they do and why they are being nominated, and an answer to a few questions which relate to the award criteria shown in the bullet points above.
If you have any questions about what’s involved in the nomination process, please email OHHAwards@skillsforhealth.org.uk
Nominations for this year’s Our Health Heroes awards are now closed. Finalists for individual awards will be announced in early 2021, ahead of our virtual awards ceremony on the 23rd March.