Care UK picks up three nominations for top Leaders in Care awards

Home news

Sep 15, 2019

Care UK has won through to the finals of three categories in a national award scheme designed to recognise leaders and visionaries in social care.

The awards, organised by Care Home Professional and Home Care Insight magazines, have seen Care UK shortlisted in the major category of Care  Provider of the Year. Judges shortlisted the organisation for its commitment to supporting its 10,000 residents to lead fulfilling lives, while employing and training an additional 3,000 staff in new homes over the last seven years.

Chief Executive Andrew Knight said: “We were all delighted to hear that the whole organisation and two of my colleagues have made it through to the finals in these prestigious awards.

Care UK’s success as a provider of exceptional care begins in its individual homes. One of the shortlisted managers, Tracy Norbury, home manager of Hollins Park care home in Macclesfield, has been described as a visionary manager: it is her combination of experience, empathy and compassion, and her determination to provide the best care for the home’s 48 residents, that has seen her to the final of the ‘Registered Care Home Manager of the Year’ category.

Tracy is also committed to supporting her colleagues, working tirelessly to develop a motivated team. Staff retention has improved by 30 per cent, giving Hollins Park the lowest staff turnover rate year-on-year over all of Care UK’s 120 homes, and leading to exceptional continuity of care for residents and an Outstanding rating from the CQC.

Omar Taylor, regional director for the South Midlands, has reached the finals of the ‘Leader of the Future’ category following his impressive earlier career spanning care management in America and the UK, where he worked in learning disabilities and mental health care before moving into residential care.

He currently oversees the e operation of four homes, two of which in the last 12 months have gained Outstanding CQC grades. Manor Lodge, one of the two, has places for 120 residents, leading the inspector to say it was unheard of for a home of this size to receive this rating.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Wednesday 9th October 2019.