Bluebird Care St Helens & Warrington won the award for ‘Best employer commitment to training and careers’ at the St Helens Cares Festival.

The home, rated Good by the Care Quality Commission, was recognised for its commitment to its care assistants and for ensuring their safety and wellbeing throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The staff receive benefits, job security, training and career progression.

Bluebird also provides an intensive induction and training programme for new recruits, as well as refresher training for long-term care assistants. A robust equality and diversity system is also in place, and staff are included in the organisation’s mission statement and given a voice in key decisions.

A team of 55 staff members works at Bluebird Care St Helens & Warrington, including care assistants, care mentors, team supervisors, customer care managers, training and development coordinators, and directors.

Hayley Allen, registered manager at Bluebird Care St Helens & Warrington, said: “I am absolutely delighted that our achievements throughout the difficult year of 2021 have been recognised, in what is further evidence that we rose to the challenges created by the Covid-19 global pandemic. We have a hardworking and talented team in place, who brilliantly care for our customers in the St Helens and Warrington community. I am therefore proud that we have been recognised for an award that acknowledges our good traits as employers, as we look to always do right by our staff.”

Caitlin Bradley, training manager at Bluebird Care St Helens & Warrington, added: “My colleagues and I are delighted to have played a part in the journey and success of Bluebird Care St Helens & Warrington. The last two years have been exceptionally difficult for the social care sector but in that time, we have had the necessary time and resources invested in us to grow, learn and, most importantly, be in the best possible position to care for our wonderful customers in the comfort of their own homes.”