The National Care Awards, organised by Caring Times, returns for the 24th year in 2022 and, to celebrate, we will be handing out two more awards!

Devised as a way to celebrate the very best people in the long-term care sector, the NCAs highlight excellence and reward those who work tirelessly to provide consistently outstanding care.

The Care Home Design of the Year award will acknowledge an outstanding dwelling that puts emphasis on a homely and welcoming atmosphere, great care and wellbeing, while also maximising infection control. The winner will have shown an ability to excite and innovate, with regard to practicality and cost awareness combined with the needs of the residents.

The Business Initiative of the Year, sponsored by Sanctuary Care, will recognise a forward-thinking care group that has created and implemented a specific project or projects to support staff and improve outcomes for individuals over the past year.

Caring Times editor Anna Dobbie is very much looking forward to her first year at the event: “I only joined the brand (and sector) in January 2022, so I’m excited for my first big awards event with the magazine. It is so important to recognise and celebrate the amazing work of those in the care sector – I can’t wait!”

Richard Lunn, managing director – care at Christie & Co, which is the main sponsor of the awards, said he is delighted to be involved with the awards: “It’s inspiring to see the work of so many brilliant, resilient care businesses across the country and this event will, as always, be a great opportunity to highlight the very best people in the sector, celebrating excellence and rewarding those who work tirelessly to provide consistently outstanding care. We look forward to seeing you then.”

BKR Care Consultancy managing director and National Care Awards judge Bhavna Keane Rao said that integrity is important: “When I’m asked to judge, I want to make sure that our votes really do count and that the outcome is not already decided. The judges have to declare any conflicts of interest – integrity is important.

Hallmark Care Homes chief operating officer Aneurin Brown was over the moon to win Care Group of the Year in 2021: “To say that I am proud of our team is an understatement! Credit must go to our fantastic team who go above and beyond daily to make a difference to residents, relatives and their colleagues.”

Sanjay Dhrona, managing director of the Close Care Home, which was awarded Care Home of the Year in 2020, said: “Winning filled our home with joy, excitement and pride. The sense of fulfilment at having been recognised for our amazing journey was a very meaningful and tangible thing. It both created an incredible sense of motivation in the service by being seen and recognised, and also to ensures we live up the award and title every day, in everything we do.”

Click here for more information on this year’s event.