Award Categories

Care Home Worker Award

Care Home Workers are the backbone of the residential care sector—often working long hours with little recognition. Despite the challenges, they show unwavering compassion and commitment, prioritising the wellbeing of others.

This Award is open to individuals working in a care home and recognises the vital role of the Care Home Worker in providing excellent, person-centered care, respecting privacy and dignity and treating each resident as an individual to support their independence.

💫The ideal nominee will:

Deliver excellent, personalised care that respects each individual’s dignity, autonomy and encourages independence.
Involve individuals and families in planning and decisions about care.
Show a strong commitment to ongoing learning and personal development.
Use initiative to improve residents’ lives and contribute to service improvements.
Demonstrate compassion, empathy and teamwork.
Go above and beyond to ensure residents receive timely, responsive support.
Be a true ambassador for care in Berkshire—someone you’d want caring for your own loved one.

💫Eligibility: Must be currently working in a Care Home in Berkshire.

💫You may wish to include examples of the following in your nomination statement:

Their impact on the lives of the people they care for
Dedication and commitment to their role
Innovative or person-centred approaches they have introduced
Positive influence on colleagues and families within the care home

The Home Care Worker Award

Home Care Workers often work long hours on their own with little recognition. Despite the challenges, they show unwavering compassion and commitment, prioritising the wellbeing of others.

This Award is open to individuals working in home care and recognises the vital role of the home care worker in providing excellent, person-centred care, respecting privacy and dignity and treating each client as an individual to support their independence.

💫The ideal nominee will:

Deliver excellent, personalised care that respects each individual’s dignity, autonomy and encourages independence.
Involve individuals and families in planning and decisions about care.
Show a strong commitment to ongoing learning and personal development.
Use initiative to improve clients’ lives and contribute to service improvements.
Demonstrate compassion, empathy and teamwork.
Go above and beyond to ensure clients receive timely, responsive support.
Be a true ambassador for care in Berkshire—someone you’d want caring for your own loved one.

💫Eligibility: Must be currently working as a Home Care Worker in Berkshire.

💫You may wish to include examples of the following in your nomination statement:

Their impact on the lives of the people they care for
Dedication and commitment to their role
Innovative or person-centred approaches they have introduced
Positive influence on colleagues and families within the home care service

The Support Worker within a Learning Disability Service Award

Support Workers providing care for adults with a learning disability often work long hours, sometimes on their own, and with limited recognition. Despite these challenges, they show unwavering compassion, dedication, and professionalism, prioritising the wellbeing, independence and quality of life of the individuals they support.

This Award is open to individuals working in an adult learning disability setting and recognises the vital role of Support Workers in delivering excellent, person-centred care in residential or supported living settings. It celebrates individuals who respect privacy and dignity, treat each person as unique, and actively support them to achieve their full potential.

💫The ideal nominee will:

Deliver high-quality, personalised care that respects each person’s dignity, autonomy and preferences.
Encourage independence, help individuals develop skills and reach their full potential.
Involve individuals and their families in planning and decisions about care.
Show a strong commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.
Use initiative to enhance the lives of the people they support and contribute to service improvements.
Demonstrate compassion, empathy and teamwork in all aspects of their role.
Go above and beyond to ensure people receive timely, responsive support.
Be a true ambassador for care in Berkshire—someone you’d want caring for your own loved one.

💫Eligibility: Must currently be working as a support worker in residential or supported living settings for adults with a learning disability in Berkshire.

💫You may wish to include examples of the following in your nomination statement:

Their impact on the lives of the people they support
Dedication and commitment to their role
Innovative or person-centred approaches they have introduced
Positive influence on colleagues, families, or the wider care community

The Team in Care Award

Adult Social Care relies on a wide range of teams working together to provide high-quality support to individuals in residential, supported living or home care settings. Beyond teams delivering care as the main part of their role maintenance, domestic, catering, gardening, and administrative teams all play a vital role in ensuring safe, comfortable and well-run services.

This Award is open to a team working in any CQC registered Adult Social Care Service that consistently go above and beyond in their work, demonstrating professionalism, collaboration and dedication. It celebrates teams that contribute to person-centred care, uphold dignity and respect, and enhance the wellbeing of both the people they support and the wider care environment.

💫The ideal team will:

Demonstrate excellent, high-quality support within their specific role, contributing to the overall wellbeing of service users.
Collaboratively work with colleagues and other teams to maintain a safe, comfortable and effective care environment.
Use initiative in improving services, systems or processes within their team or organisation.
Show a commitment to ongoing learning, professional development and sharing best practices.
Have compassion, professionalism and a positive attitude in all interactions with service users, families and colleagues
Go above and beyond to support individuals, teams and the wider care service.
Be an example of excellence, teamwork and dedication across adult social care

💫Eligibility: Must currently be working as a team in a CQC registered Adult Social Care Setting in Berkshire

💫You may wish to include examples of the following in your nomination statement:

Their impact on the care environment, service users or colleagues
Teamwork, collaboration and shared dedication to excellence
Innovative approaches, improvements or initiatives introduced as a team
Positive influence on families, colleagues or the wider care community

The Frontline Leader in Care Award

Frontline Leaders working in care are often working in leadership for the first time and have taken on extra responsibility to fulfil a need within the service. They are someone who leads by example, inspires their team and drives high standards of care in their daily practice.

This Award is open to individuals working in any CQC registered Adult Social Care Service and celebrates a strong, compassionate and proactive front-line leader. The ideal nominee is a committed professional such as a Shift Leader, Care Coordinator or Senior Care Worker, who demonstrates exceptional leadership on the front line. They bring out the best in their colleagues, uphold the values of person-centred care and contribute to meaningful improvements in both service delivery and team wellbeing.

💫The ideal nominee will:

Demonstrate they are an outstanding role model, leading by example and promoting best practice at every opportunity.
Demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills, ensuring that their team feels supported, informed and valued.
Champion person-centred care, ensuring that the needs, choices and dignity of every individual are at the heart of all decisions.
Show empathy and understanding, supporting both staff and service users’ emotional, physical, psychological and social wellbeing.
Take initiative in problem-solving and decision-making, ensuring smooth running of shifts and maintaining high standards of care.
Promote teamwork, respect and collaboration — creating a positive, inclusive, and adaptable workplace culture.
Contribute to the successful implementation of policies and procedures that enhance quality and safety in care.
Are committed to their own professional development and actively encourage learning, mentoring and growth within their team.
Build trust and confidence among colleagues and service users, strengthening relationships and team cohesion.
Motivate others through encouragement, positivity and leading with integrity and purpose.

💫Eligibility: Must currently be working as a frontline leader in a CQC registered Adult Social Care Setting in Berkshire including but not limited to Shift Leaders, Care Coordinators and Senior Care Workers.

💫You may wish to include examples of the following in your nomination statement:

Inspiring and supporting their colleagues on the front line
Going above and beyond to ensure quality care and positive outcomes
Demonstrating initiative, problem-solving and reliability in daily leadership
Creating a positive impact on the people they support, their team and the wider service
Embody the values and spirit of compassionate, person-centred leadership in care

The Manager in Care Award

Senior managers in adult social care play a crucial role in ensuring high-quality, person-centred services. They provide strategic leadership, set standards for care and create a positive organisational culture that supports staff in their career development. By guiding teams, managing resources efficiently and implementing policies, they ensure compliance with regulations and drive continuous improvement. Their experience, vision and decision-making skills help services adapt to challenges, maintain consistency and deliver outcomes that benefit both service users and the wider community.

This award is open to individuals in a management role within a CQC registered Adult Social Care Service and recognises outstanding leadership within adult social care. It celebrates managers who demonstrate exceptional dedication, professionalism and the ability to inspire and support their teams. The award highlights those who foster a positive, collaborative culture within their service and acknowledges the critical role managers play in shaping and sustaining safe, effective and compassionate care environments.

💫The ideal nominee will:

Be an exceptional role model within their service.
Possess strong expertise and advanced leadership and management skills.
Actively support their colleagues and promote high-quality, person-centred care.
Understand the importance of supporting emotional, physical, psychological and social wellbeing — and recognise how crucial effective leadership is in delivering quality care.
Be confident in making strategic decisions that positively influence the service’s growth and success.
Foster a values-led, collaborative and adaptable workplace culture.
They successfully manage and implement complex and evolving social care policies.
They cultivate a culture of learning, development and support across their service.
They build strong, trusting relationships that establish credibility and strengthen team cohesion.
They motivate others to collaborate, think creatively and strive for excellence.

💫Eligibility: Must be in a senior management role within a CQC registered Service. This can include but is not limited to Registered Managers, Directors, HR and Recruitment Managers, Operational Managers and other members of the senior leadership team.

💫You may wish to include examples of the following in your nomination statement:

Their impact on the service users, members of their team and the wider community
How their practice has consistently maintained or improved standards of care
How their leadership has encouraged collaboration and professional development within their team

The Behind the Scenes Award

Ancillary workers in a care service play a vital behind-the-scenes role that keeps the service running smoothly and supports both care staff and residents. While they may not provide direct personal care, their contribution is essential in maintaining a safe, comfortable and person-centred approach. In short, ancillary workers are the unsung heroes who make sure everything behind the scenes runs efficiently—enabling carers and managers to focus on providing quality care.

This award is open to individuals working in any CQC registered Adult Social Care service and recognises the outstanding contribution of ancillary staff who go above and beyond in supporting clients, residents or service users. Working in any number of roles behind the scenes the nominee will demonstrate dedication, care and a genuine commitment to making a positive difference.

💫The ideal nominee will:

Treat clients, residents or service users with kindness, dignity and respect at all times.
Understand and treat each person as an individual with unique needs and preferences.
Go the extra mile to provide high-quality support.
Find creative or proactive ways to improve the care or services provided, please include an example if possible.
Show real pride in the work they do and the difference they make.

💫Eligibility: Must be working in a CQC registered Adult Social Care Service in Berkshire in a role including but not limited to the cooks or chefs; cleaners or housekeeping staff; maintenance operatives; office, accounts and administrative staff

💫You may wish to include examples of the following in your nomination statement:

Their impact and dedication
The difference they have made to the people the service cares for, their families and colleagues within the service
Being creative, innovative or pro-active in finding ways to improve the services provided
Going above and beyond to provide positive outcomes

The Promoting Wellbeing Award

Promoting wellbeing within a care service goes far beyond simply arranging activities — it’s about enriching daily life, supporting emotional and mental health, and helping people maintain their sense of identity and purpose. The nominee goes above and beyond to deliver creative, inclusive and meaningful activities that support independence, enjoyment and positive experiences. They demonstrate passion, energy and dedication to improving the wellbeing of individuals, families and the wider care community.

This award is open to individuals working in a CQC registered Adult Social Care service and recognises an individual who plays a key role in promoting the wellbeing, engagement and quality of life of service users in adult social care. This may include activities coordinators, wellbeing officers or anyone whose role is focused on enhancing social, emotional and recreational opportunities for service users.

💫The ideal nominee will:

Provide engaging, inclusive and person-centred activities that promote wellbeing.
Encourage service users to participate, encourage independence and social engagement.
Adapt activities to meet the diverse needs, preferences and abilities of individuals.
Build positive relationships with individuals, families and colleagues.
Demonstrate creativity, innovation and initiative to improve wellbeing provision.
Show dedication, enthusiasm and compassion in their role – this can be in a residential or non-residential setting.
Contribute to a positive, supportive and enjoyable care environment.
Be a true ambassador for promoting wellbeing in adult social care.

💫Eligibility: Must currently be working in adult social care in Berkshire in a role focused on promoting wellbeing including but not limited to activities coordinators or similar roles.

💫You may wish to include examples of the following in your nomination statement:

The impact of their activities or wellbeing initiatives on individual service users
Creativity, innovation and dedication to improving wellbeing
Positive influence on families, colleagues or the wider care community
How they go above and beyond to enrich the lives of those they support

The Future of Care Award

Newcomers to the care sector are essential to its future. Whether newly in post or studying for a relevant qualification, they bring fresh perspectives, curiosity and a strong motivation to learn. Their new ideas and commitment to person-centred care help strengthen team culture, support continuous improvement and contribute to the long-term sustainability of high-quality services.

This award is open to individuals who have been working in the care sector for less than 12 months or are currently a student on a course related to Adult Social Care and have carried out at least one placement in Adult Social Care. The award recognises nominees who are already showing exceptional promise in the sector, demonstrating enthusiasm, professionalism, confidence and a strong commitment to their ongoing career development.

💫The ideal nominee will:

Demonstrate the ability to transfer existing skills from previous roles, volunteering or life experiences into their new career.
Show a clear understanding of their current role and responsibilities.
Showcase excellent interpersonal and people skills.
Have knowledge of good practice standards within their role.
Demonstrate empathy, responsiveness and sensitivity, particularly in emotional situations.
Have a willingness and determination to expand their knowledge across different care settings.
Complete or actively commit to completing, The Care Certificate training module or other relevant training and qualifications.
Dedication to ongoing professional and career development.

💫Eligibility: Must have joined the Adult Social Care Sector in Berkshire within the past 12 months OR be a student studying a course relevant to social care and be nominated by a CQC registered Adult Social Care provider where they have carried out work experience.

💫You may wish to include examples of the following in your nomination statement:

Their impact on the people they support and the wider community
Examples of their dedication to the role
Why you think they have the potential to develop and progress in the Adult Social Care Sector

The Long Service Award

Individuals with ten or more years in the care sector bring invaluable experience, stability and professionalism. They provide consistent, confident support, mentor colleagues and help embed best practice. Their long-term commitment strengthens continuity of care, builds trust with those they support and ensures services continue to improve through their dedication and depth of knowledge.

This award is open to individuals who have been working for a CQC registered Adult Social Care Provider for more than 10 years. It recognises a long-term, outstanding contribution to social care from a nominee who has continually sought to improve the sector. The nominee has consistently gone above and beyond to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives and has embedded values of person-centred care and strengths-based approaches in all aspects of their work.

💫The ideal nominee will:

Demonstrate a sustained commitment to working in social care, consistently providing excellent care, support or leadership over an extended period.
Show creativity and innovation in their practice and actively contribute to improving care within their own service and the wider sector.
Has a tangible, positive impact on people’s lives through outstanding care or support, or by enabling teams to achieve excellent outcomes.
Their extensive experience allows them to provide confident, consistent support while guiding colleagues through complex situations with insight and reassurance as well as embedding best practice.

💫Eligibility: Must have been working for a CQC registered provider of Adult Social Care Services in Berkshire for at least 10 years.

💫You may wish to include examples of the following in your nomination statement:

Their impact on people they support
Dedication to the sector over a sustained period of time
Innovative approaches and improvements they have introduced
Positive influence on colleagues or the wider community

The SESCA Excellence in International Recruitment Award

International recruits play a vital role in strengthening our care services with workers from overseas bringing valuable experience, diverse perspectives and a deep commitment to the people they support. This award celebrates both individuals and organisations that are making a real difference — improving care, building inclusive teams and helping international colleagues deliver person-centred care.

💫Employers

This Award is open to individuals who have been involved in the recruitment of staff who are working on a Health and Care Worker Visa for a CQC registered Adult Social Care Service. Honouring outstanding contributions from supportive employers with innovative workplace programmes this award recognises the organisations that go the extra mile to welcome, support and empower International Recruits.

💫The ideal Employer nominee will:

Have successfully attracted and recruited staff from overseas.
Provided a thorough induction process both for work and life in a different country.
Be exceptionally committed to the success, inclusion and wellbeing of internationally recruited staff.
Show innovative initiatives or programmes that empower international staff—such as mentorship, tailored training or cultural support—to excel and feel valued.
Demonstrate evidence of structured opportunities for international staff to learn, grow and advance in their careers.
Provide professional and pastoral support on an ongoing basis.

💫Eligibility: Must be responsible for international recruitment at a CQC registered Adult Social Care Service that holds a UKVI sponsorship licence and currently employs at least one staff member on a Health and Care Worker Visa in Berkshire.

💫You may wish to include examples of the following in your nomination statement:

Their impact, dedication and innovation in recruiting overseas staff
Successful international recruits who have advanced in their careers
Commitment to the wellbeing and support of overseas staff

💫Employees

This Award is open to individuals who have come to the UK from overseas on a Health and Care Worker Visa to work in a CQC Registered Adult Social Care Provider. Recognising exceptional personal achievements from an employee who is providing compassionate and person-centred care whilst settling into new cultures and communities in Berkshire.

💫The ideal Employee nominee will:

Show dedication to their role, commitment to high-quality care and tangible achievements that have improved service delivery or outcomes for the people they support.
Show how their work has positively affected the wellbeing, dignity or daily experience of clients, residents or service users.
Exemplify collaboration, strong communication and inclusiveness within their team. They should contribute to a supportive, welcoming culture and demonstrate how they uplift, mentor or inspire colleagues
Demonstrate commitment to professional development through training, new qualifications or the acquisition of specialist skills (e.g. dementia care, learning disabilities, end-of-life care).
Have an openness to new cultures, languages and communities; actively embracing life in the UK. They should also show how they promote understanding, inclusion and cultural exchange—helping others feel respected and connected both at work and in the wider community.

💫Eligibility: Must be working for a CQC registered Adult Social Care Provider on a Health and Care Worker Visa in Berkshire.

💫You may wish to include examples of the following in your nomination statement:

Dedication, compassion or the difference they have made to the people they support, their colleagues or the wider community
Commitment to professional development through training, qualifications or acquisition of a specialist skill
How this person has actively embraced life in the UK through their work
Collaboration within their team to provide excellent outcomes for their service users

This Award is sponsored by SESCA

Care Service Recognition Award

💫This category is open for all CQC registered providers in Berkshire to submit an entry. It will be awarded to all who meet the criteria* and can be renewed each year if the conditions of application are met.

💫The aim of this Award is to recognise the ongoing dedication of all team members within a service who provide excellence in care for all of their service users. It covers a wide range of areas giving an opportunity to demonstrate how your service is striving to promote excellence.

💫*To meet the criteria evidence can be demonstrated in the application form, please download it using the button below and upload using the nomination form. Entries will be anonymised and judged by a panel of reputable, independent and impartial adjudicators.

Download application form for Care Service Recognition Award